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Subject Choices & Careers - a Free Guide

Which subjects lead to which careers. This is School Tracker's own free guide, open to everyone. No subscription.

At the end of Grade 9, you make a major decision that shapes your future path by selecting your subjects for Grades 10 to 12 (the FET phase). Every South African learner takes seven subjects in total: four compulsory subjects (Home Language, a First Additional Language, Mathematics OR Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation) alongside three elective subjects chosen from your school's subject packages. Choosing between Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy is the single biggest choice you will make, as it directly opens or closes specific university degrees and career pathways.

Note on entry requirements: everything below describes minimum entry requirements. Each university and course sets its own APS score and minimum subject percentages, so always check the specific institution.
1How subject choice works
  • Core idea: understanding how your FET phase subject combination works helps you protect your options and align your choices with future study requirements.
  • Compulsory subjects: everyone takes four mandatory subjects - Home Language, a First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation.
  • Elective subjects: you choose three additional subjects from the package options offered by your specific school.
  • Subject groups: schools organise electives into specific timetable streams, meaning certain subject combinations might not be possible at your school.
  • Hard to change: switching subjects in Grade 10 or 11 is difficult and often requires catch-up work, so making careful choices now is crucial.
  • Gateway to university: your elective subjects and choice of Mathematics determine which university degrees, diplomas, and career fields will be open to you.
  • The golden rule: if you are unsure about your future career path, choose Pure Mathematics because it keeps the widest variety of study options open.
2The big decision - Mathematics vs Mathematical Literacy
  • Core idea: choosing between Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy is a critical choice that sets the boundary for which university fields remain accessible.
  • Pure Mathematics opens: engineering, medicine and health sciences, all BSc degrees, computer science, accounting (CA route), actuarial science, and most commercial degrees.
  • Mathematical Literacy focus: highly practical and real-world oriented, teaching everyday financial and spatial skills, but it completely closes technical, scientific, and commercial university fields.
  • Mathematical Literacy opens: law, humanities, social sciences, many diplomas, and general teaching degrees.
  • Critical pairing rule: Physical Sciences may only be taken in combination with Pure Mathematics at school.
  • When in doubt: if you can handle the workload and have reasonable marks, take Pure Mathematics to avoid closing major career doors early.
3Working with AI - is "AI" a subject or a career?
  • Core idea: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool applied across all modern professions rather than a standalone school subject, though designing AI systems requires a strong mathematical foundation.
  • Using AI in your career: most professionals use AI as a tool to enhance their work - doctors, lawyers, farmers, designers, and accountants who use AI effectively will outperform those who do not.
  • Subjects for using AI: focus on the subjects needed for your chosen career field while building digital skills, as AI literacy is becoming an essential expectation across almost all jobs.
  • Building AI systems: designing AI models and machine learning systems is a specialised path nested inside Computer Science and Data Science.
  • Must have (to build AI): Pure Mathematics (with strong skills in algebra and statistics).
  • Recommended (to build AI): Information Technology (IT); Physical Sciences if you are interested in robotics or AI hardware.
  • Example careers: machine-learning engineer, AI/data scientist, AI researcher, robotics engineer.
  • Common mistake: do not drop the subject requirements for your core career thinking you will "just do AI" - keeping Pure Mathematics keeps both the "use AI" and "build AI" paths open.
4Engineering & Built Environment
  • Core idea: the engineering and built environment sectors focus on designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure, machinery, and physical structures using applied science and mathematics.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics AND Physical Sciences.
  • Recommended: Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD).
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is strictly required.
  • Example careers: civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and industrial engineer; architect; quantity surveyor; construction manager.
5Health Sciences (Medicine & allied)
  • Core idea: health sciences encompass medical, clinical, and therapeutic fields dedicated to treating, diagnosing, and supporting human and animal health.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics, Physical Sciences AND Life Sciences.
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is strictly required.
  • Example careers: doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physiotherapist, veterinarian, radiographer, occupational therapist, professional nurse.
  • High competition: admission into health science programmes is extremely competitive and requires exceptionally high overall APS scores and subject percentages.
6Natural & Physical Sciences (BSc)
  • Core idea: natural and physical sciences involve scientific research, analysis, and discovery across living organisms, chemical compounds, earth materials, and physical laws.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics.
  • Recommended: Physical Sciences and/or Life Sciences (match your choices to your intended major, e.g. Physical Sciences for chemistry, Life Sciences for botany).
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is strictly required.
  • Example careers: chemist, physicist, biologist, microbiologist, geologist, environmental scientist, data scientist.
7Computer Science & IT
  • Core idea: computer science and information technology centre on software creation, computational theory, network security, and managing complex digital systems.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics.
  • Recommended: Information Technology (IT) or Computer Applications Technology (CAT); Physical Sciences if you want to pursue computer or electronic engineering.
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is strictly required.
  • Example careers: software developer, data scientist, cybersecurity specialist, systems/network engineer, IT manager.
8Accounting, Finance & Actuarial
  • Core idea: the accounting, financial, and actuarial fields involve managing financial systems, auditing accounts, assessing risk, and analysing corporate investments.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics.
  • Recommended: Accounting (highly recommended for the Chartered Accountant route and BCom Accounting at many universities).
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is strictly required (Actuarial Science requires exceptionally high Mathematics marks).
  • Example careers: chartered accountant (CA), auditor, actuary, financial manager, investment analyst.
9Business, Commerce & Economics
  • Core idea: business, commerce, and economics explore how markets operate, how organisations are managed, and how resources, goods, and services are distributed.
  • Must have: Pure Mathematics for most university BCom degrees.
  • Recommended: Accounting, Business Studies, Economics.
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is required for most BCom degrees (some general management or marketing diplomas accept Mathematical Literacy - check the course).
  • Example careers: economist, marketer, human-resources manager, supply-chain manager, entrepreneur.
10Law
  • Core idea: law involves interpreting legislation, analysing legal arguments, defending rights, and managing corporate or criminal legal proceedings.
  • Must have: strong language skills, especially in English.
  • Recommended: History.
  • Maths type: Mathematical Literacy is accepted for the LLB degree at most universities.
  • Example careers: attorney, advocate, legal adviser, magistrate, prosecutor.
11Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Core idea: humanities and social sciences study human behaviour, social structures, cultural developments, mental processes, and global communication.
  • Must have: strong language skills.
  • Recommended: History, Geography, a second language.
  • Maths type: Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted.
  • Example careers: psychologist, social worker, journalist, political scientist, translator, town planner.
12Education / Teaching
  • Core idea: education focuses on pedagogy, instructional methods, and developing young minds across foundational, primary, and secondary school levels.
  • Must have: subject prerequisites depend entirely on what you plan to teach.
  • Recommended: strong language skills; take the specific subjects you intend to teach in high school.
  • High school teaching rule: to teach a subject at high-school (FET) level, you must have taken that subject in Grade 10-12 (e.g. a future Science teacher needs Physical Sciences and Life Sciences).
  • Maths type: Mathematical Literacy is accepted for many teaching degrees, but teaching high-school Mathematics requires school Pure Mathematics.
  • Example careers: Foundation Phase teacher, Primary School teacher, High-School (FET) teacher.
13Arts, Design & Architecture
  • Core idea: arts and design focus on creative expression, visual communication, performance, and environmental spatial design.
  • Must have: a creative portfolio alongside relevant school subjects (Visual Arts, Design, Dramatic Arts, or Music).
  • Architecture exception: Architecture requires Pure Mathematics (and often Physical Sciences or EGD) alongside portfolio submission.
  • Maths type: Mathematical Literacy is accepted for most creative arts and design programmes; Pure Mathematics is required for Architecture.
  • Example careers: graphic designer, interior designer, fashion designer, fine artist, actor, musician, architect.
14Agriculture & Environment
  • Core idea: agriculture and environmental sciences examine sustainable farming, crop production, animal husbandry, ecosystem protection, and food security.
  • Must have: none strictly compulsory across all programmes, but specific science combinations are necessary for degree study.
  • Recommended: Pure Mathematics, Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences; Agricultural Sciences as a school subject is helpful.
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics is required for university BSc Agriculture degrees; Mathematical Literacy is accepted for certain agricultural diplomas.
  • Example careers: agronomist, farm/agri-business manager, environmental scientist, conservationist, food scientist.
15Technical, Trades & TVET
  • Core idea: technical trades focus on practical, applied engineering skills, installation, maintenance, and technical craft across industrial and domestic settings.
  • Must have: technical subjects; Pure Mathematics or Technical Mathematics plus Physical Sciences or Technical Sciences for most trade qualifications.
  • Pathways: TVET colleges offering NCV or NATED courses, as well as universities of technology.
  • Maths type: Pure Mathematics or Technical Mathematics is required for artisan trades; Mathematical Literacy is accepted for certain non-technical diploma fields.
  • Example careers: electrician, plumber, boilermaker, motor mechanic, fitter and turner, technician.

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