If you passed matric with 23 APS and you are struggling to decide what to study at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), you are not alone.
The difficult part is not simply finding a course with a low enough APS. You also need to know whether your subjects meet the requirements, what the qualification actually teaches you, what jobs it can lead to and whether those jobs are realistically available in South Africa.
That is what this guide is about.
Based on the UMP programmes examined for this article, there are three particularly relevant options for a student with 23 APS:
- Higher Certificate in ICT in User Support
- Higher Certificate in Event Management
- Diploma in Agriculture in Plant Production
But there is an important difference between them.
The ICT certificate can be entered with 20 APS with Mathematics or 22 APS with Mathematical Literacy. Event Management requires 19 APS with Mathematics or 21 APS with Mathematical Literacy. The Plant Production diploma requires 23 APS with Mathematics or 24 APS with Mathematical Literacy.
So if you have exactly 23 APS, your matric subjects still matter.
And there is another thing you should know before applying: meeting the minimum requirement does not automatically guarantee admission or a place at UMP. The university’s 2026 rules state that compliance with minimum entrance requirements does not mean automatic admission, while the university has also reported very high demand for places.
With that out of the way, let’s look at what each option actually means.
Table of Contents
1. Higher Certificate in ICT in User Support
Minimum APS: 20 with Mathematics or 22 with Mathematical Literacy
For a student with 23 APS, this is one of the most interesting options to investigate.
UMP’s Higher Certificate in Information Communication Technology in User Support requires:
- 20 APS with Mathematics at Level 2, or
- 22 APS with Mathematical Literacy at Level 4
- English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 4
- At least Level 2 in three other content subjects
The qualification is offered at both UMP campuses and takes one year full-time. It is an NQF exit level 5 qualification carrying 120 credits.
Therefore, a student with 23 APS can meet the APS requirement whether they took Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, assuming the other requirements are also satisfied.
What is ICT User Support?
This qualification is not the same thing as studying to become a software developer.
The focus is much more practical.
UMP describes the programme as preparing students to provide user support services as technicians and helpdesk practitioners. Students are introduced to areas including ICT fundamentals, networking and IT services management.
In simple terms, you are learning how to help people and organisations when they have technology-related problems.
Imagine an employee cannot connect to the company’s network, has trouble accessing a system or needs help with a technical issue.
An ICT support professional may be part of the team responsible for resolving that problem.
What can you do after the certificate?
Possible career directions include:
| Career direction | What the work involves |
|---|---|
| ICT Support Technician | Helping users solve everyday technology problems |
| Helpdesk Practitioner | Responding to technical support requests |
| IT Service Desk Support | Assisting users with systems, devices and software |
| User Support Technician | Troubleshooting user problems |
| Technical Support | Providing technical assistance to customers or staff |
| Network Support | Assisting with basic network-related issues |
These should be viewed as possible career directions, not guaranteed job titles. UMP specifically describes the qualification as preparing students for support services, helpdesk work and communication-network-related careers.
Is ICT actually a good career choice?
There is a reason ICT continues to attract students.
South Africa is becoming increasingly dependent on digital systems across government, education, business and other sectors. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has highlighted the need for stronger digital skills while South Africa continues its digital transformation.
That does not mean every person with an ICT certificate will immediately get a job.
Entry-level IT support can still be competitive.
However, ICT has one advantage over some narrowly focused qualifications: the skills can be useful across many industries.
A bank needs IT support.
A school needs technology support.
A hospital needs technology systems.
A retailer needs technology systems.
A logistics company needs technology.
This means you are not necessarily tied to one industry.
The career path
A possible progression could look like:
Higher Certificate → IT/Helpdesk Support → ICT Support Technician → Senior Support/Network Support → Specialisation or further study
UMP states that students who complete the certificate can progress into further qualifications, including diploma and advanced diploma study, subject to the relevant entrance requirements.
Who should choose ICT?
Consider this course if you enjoy:
- Computers
- Troubleshooting
- Technology
- Solving problems
- Helping people
- Learning how systems work
Do not choose it simply because you heard that “IT has jobs.”
If you dislike computers and become frustrated every time technology stops working, this could become a difficult qualification and an even more difficult career.
2. Higher Certificate in Event Management
Minimum APS: 19 with Mathematics or 21 with Mathematical Literacy
The Higher Certificate in Event Management is another clear option for someone with 23 APS.
UMP requires:
- Diploma/Higher Certificate endorsement
- 19 APS with Mathematics, or
- 21 APS with Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics
- Mathematics Level 2, Mathematical Literacy Level 4 or Technical Mathematics
- English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 4
The qualification is designed to provide foundational knowledge and simulated work-integrated learning in event management.
With 23 APS, you meet the stated APS threshold, but the other requirements still apply.
What does Event Management actually involve?
Forget the idea that event management is simply decorating venues and planning parties.
Professional event work involves coordination.
You may need to communicate with clients, suppliers, venues and service providers while making sure that different parts of an event happen at the right time.
UMP’s curriculum includes:
- Communication Skills for Event Management
- Event Coordination and Management
- Event Marketing and Public Relations
- Entrepreneurship
- Service Excellence
- Computing Skills for Event Managers
- Simulated Work Experience
The qualification therefore combines people skills, organisation, marketing and practical event knowledge.
What jobs can you pursue?
UMP identifies career opportunities such as:
| Career | What you could be responsible for |
|---|---|
| Event Coordinator | Helping plan and coordinate events |
| Event Manager | Managing different parts of an event |
| Event Project Manager | Coordinating event projects |
| Conference Organiser | Helping organise conferences |
| Assistant Venue Manager | Supporting venue operations |
| Event Entrepreneur | Building your own event-related business |
UMP specifically lists event coordinator, event manager, event project manager, conference organiser and assistant venue manager among its career opportunities.
Is Event Management in demand?
This needs a balanced answer.
The broader tourism and business-events industry has a strong employment base in South Africa. Statistics South Africa reported 953,981 direct tourism jobs in 2024, equivalent to 5.7% of the country’s labour force, and tourism created 185,158 jobs during that year.
South Africa also recorded a record 10.48 million international arrivals in 2025, while the Department of Tourism says the country continues to grow its business-events market.
So there is a real industry behind the qualification.
But here is the honest part:
That does not mean Event Management is an easy field to enter.
A certificate does not guarantee that an employer will immediately hire you as an event manager.
Many graduates will need to begin with junior roles, administration, coordination, venue support, hospitality or related customer-service work.
Your practical experience can become just as important as the certificate.
The career path
A realistic route could be:
Higher Certificate → Event Assistant/Coordinator → Event Manager → Senior Event/Project Management → Management or Entrepreneurship
Some graduates may also choose to build their own event business.
UMP explicitly includes entrepreneurship among the outcomes of the qualification.
Who should consider Event Management?
This could suit you if you enjoy:
- Organising activities
- Working with people
- Communication
- Marketing
- Tourism and hospitality
- Solving problems under pressure
- Fast-moving environments
If you prefer quiet, predictable work with little interaction with people, this may not be the best fit.
3. Diploma in Agriculture in Plant Production
Minimum APS: 23 with Mathematics or 24 with Mathematical Literacy
This is the option where your subject combination becomes particularly important.
UMP requires:
- 23 APS with Mathematics, or
- 24 APS with Mathematical Literacy
- English Home Language or First Additional Language at Level 4
- Mathematics Level 3 or Mathematical Literacy Level 4
- Agriculture, Geography or Life Sciences at Level 4
Therefore, if you have:
23 APS + Mathematics + the required subjects → you can meet the stated minimum.
But:
23 APS + Mathematical Literacy → you do not meet the APS minimum, because UMP requires 24 APS for Mathematical Literacy.
This is an important distinction that students should not overlook.
What is Plant Production?
Plant Production is about much more than working on a farm.
The UMP programme covers areas including:
- Plant protection
- Plant propagation
- Farm management
- Agricultural engineering
- Agricultural mechanisation
- Soil science
- Botany
- Vegetable production
- Agronomy
- Fruit production
- Irrigation
- Natural resource management
The programme also includes practical activities, field trips and work-integrated learning. UMP states that the third year is completed on a farm to provide farm-level experience.
This makes the qualification particularly practical.
If you want a career where you spend your entire working life in an office, you need to think carefully before choosing it.
What jobs can you pursue?
Possible career directions include:
| Career direction | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Technician | Providing technical support in agricultural production |
| Crop Production | Working with crop production systems |
| Farm Management | Helping manage agricultural operations |
| Horticulture | Working with fruit, vegetables and horticultural crops |
| Irrigation | Managing or supporting agricultural water systems |
| Agricultural Operations | Supporting production and farm activities |
| Agricultural Entrepreneurship | Running an agricultural business |
| Natural Resource Management | Managing resources connected to agricultural production |
UMP says the programme aims to produce skilled agricultural technicians, including farm managers and entrepreneurs specialising in plant production.
Is agriculture in demand?
Unlike the stereotype that agriculture is simply a declining sector, recent employment figures show that it remains an important source of work in South Africa.
Statistics South Africa reported that agriculture added 30,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Department of Agriculture reported approximately 950,000 agricultural jobs nationally in the fourth quarter of 2025.
So there is clearly an employment base.
However, students should not interpret this as:
“I will graduate with an agriculture diploma and automatically get a job.”
You may need practical experience, and opportunities can depend heavily on location, agricultural subsector and employer.
The qualification may be particularly valuable for someone who wants to combine employment with agricultural entrepreneurship.
The career path
One possible route is:
Diploma → Agricultural Technician/Production Role → Senior Technician/Farm Supervisor → Farm Manager/Agricultural Specialist → Management or Entrepreneurship
The exact path will depend on the employer and your experience.
Who should consider this course?
This may suit you if you genuinely enjoy:
- Agriculture
- Plants and crops
- Geography or Life Sciences
- Outdoor work
- Practical problem-solving
- Farming
- Food production
- Business and entrepreneurship
Do not choose it simply because your APS qualifies.
Comparing the three options
If you are still unsure, the table below may make the decision easier.
| ICT User Support | Event Management | Plant Production | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum APS | 20 Maths / 22 Maths Literacy | 19 Maths / 21 Maths Literacy | 23 Maths / 24 Maths Literacy |
| Duration | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years |
| Main environment | Technology/IT | Events, tourism, hospitality | Agriculture/farms |
| Strongest interest | Computers | People and organisation | Agriculture and crops |
| Practical work | Technical troubleshooting | Event coordination | Field/farm practical work |
| Possible entry-level direction | IT/helpdesk support | Event coordination | Agricultural production |
| Further study possible? | Yes | Further study may be possible depending on progression requirements | Yes |
| Job outlook | Broad digital skills base, but entry-level competition exists | Tourism/event sector is active, but competition exists | Large agricultural employment base, but practical experience matters |
The important thing is that none of these should be labelled “guaranteed employment courses.”
There is no responsible way to promise that.
Which one is the strongest choice for a 23-APS student?
There is no single answer.
But you can make the decision much easier by asking yourself what kind of work you actually want.
Choose ICT if…
You like computers and enjoy figuring out why something is not working.
You are comfortable learning new technology and would like a career that can potentially move across different industries.
Choose Event Management if…
You enjoy organising things, communicating with people and working in environments where no two events are exactly the same.
You should also be comfortable with pressure and customer interaction.
Choose Plant Production if…
You are genuinely interested in agriculture and can see yourself working with crops, farms, production systems or agricultural businesses.
You should be comfortable with practical and field-based work.
What about Hospitality, Animal Production, BSc and the other courses?
This is where we need to be strict with the numbers.
A 23-APS student should not be told that they qualify for a programme simply because it is “close.”
For example:
| UMP qualification | Published minimum | 23 APS |
|---|---|---|
| Higher Certificate in ICT in User Support | 20 Maths / 22 Maths Literacy | Meets APS minimum |
| Higher Certificate in Event Management | 19 Maths / 21 Maths Literacy | Meets APS minimum |
| Diploma in Agriculture in Plant Production | 23 Maths / 24 Maths Literacy | Meets with Mathematics only |
| Diploma in Hospitality Management | 24 Maths / 25 Mathematical Literacy | Does not meet |
| Diploma in Animal Production | 27 Maths / 24 Mathematical Literacy | Does not meet |
| BSc | 30 | Does not meet |
| BSc Environmental Science | 30 | Does not meet |
| BCom General | 30 | Does not meet |
| Bachelor of Development Studies | 32 | Does not meet |
| Bachelor of Laws | 33 | Does not meet |
For example, UMP currently lists 30 APS for the BSc and 30 APS for BCom General.
This is why a student with 23 APS should not apply to a 30-APS programme assuming that being only seven points short is close enough.
It isn’t.
One more thing: minimum APS is not the whole admission decision
This article is about identifying courses for which a 23 APS student can meet the published APS threshold.
That is not the same as guaranteeing admission.
UMP’s 2026 rules explicitly state that satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not automatically mean admission. The university also reported receiving more than 124,000 applications for the 2026 academic year, with 3,969 first-year undergraduate spaces available.
That means competition can be substantial.
So if you meet the minimum, apply properly and make sure your supporting documents and subject requirements are correct, but do not treat the minimum APS as an acceptance guarantee.
What should you do if none of these careers interests you?
This is an important question.
Do not choose ICT because someone told you technology is the future.
Do not choose Agriculture because it has a 23-APS route.
And do not choose Event Management simply because its minimum APS is low.
If none of these fields interests you, it may be better to investigate other institutions, alternative qualifications or ways of improving your matric results rather than spending years studying something you do not want to do.
Your APS determines which doors are open at a particular university.
It does not determine what career you are capable of having.
You can also explore other study options after matric before making your final decision.
The bottom line for students with 23 APS
If you finished matric with 23 APS, UMP does have realistic options for you.
Your three clearest options are:
Higher Certificate in ICT in User Support
You meet the APS requirement because the minimum is 20 with Mathematics or 22 with Mathematical Literacy. The qualification takes one year and can lead toward ICT support, helpdesk and technical support careers, with opportunities for further study.
Higher Certificate in Event Management
You meet the APS requirement because the minimum is 19 with Mathematics or 21 with Mathematical Literacy. It can lead toward entry-level event, conference, venue, tourism and hospitality roles.
Diploma in Agriculture in Plant Production
You meet the APS requirement only if you have Mathematics, because UMP requires 23 with Mathematics but 24 with Mathematical Literacy. The diploma takes three years and focuses on crop production, farm management, irrigation, soil science and related agricultural work.
The choice should ultimately come down to the career you can see yourself building.
If you are a technology person, investigate ICT.
If you are a people-and-events person, investigate Event Management.
If you are an agriculture-and-farming person, investigate Plant Production.
And if you are still unsure, that is okay. Choosing a course immediately just because you have finished matric can be more damaging than taking some time to understand your options.
Your 23 APS is a starting point, not a career sentence.