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Career guide

Career guide for South African high school learners

The subjects you pick in Grade 9 decide which careers are still possible after matric. This section explains, in plain English, what each job involves, the school subjects you need, the marks universities and colleges usually look for, and what people earn.

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Which careers stay open with my subjects?

Answer two questions about your Grade 10 subject choice. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Taking pure Mathematics?
Taking Physical Sciences or Life Sciences?

48 of 48 careers on this page stay open.

This is a guide only. Universities and colleges set their own admission rules — always check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.

Study planner: subjects to university courses

Tick the subjects you take and choose the marks you are getting. The planner shows which university and college courses those subjects open, and what the NSC exam result normally has to be. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

My school subjects

Estimated APS: 30 (six counting subjects at achievement level 5; Life Orientation is excluded by most universities).

39
Courses you qualify for now
7
Open, but you need better marks
2
Closed by subject choice

You can apply for these now

Your subjects fit and your estimated APS reaches the usual minimum.

  • Professional Nurse
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: Bachelor of Nursing degree; SANC-accredited college diploma
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for the degree; Diploma pass for some college programmes
    • Usual APS: Roughly 26–33 for the four-year degree
    • Marks to aim for: English: 50%+
  • Pharmacist
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–38
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 55–65%+
  • Radiographer
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: BSc / BHSc Radiography
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 28–34
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 50–60%+
  • Psychologist
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: Degree, Honours, then professional Master's; Registered counsellor route
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 28–34 for a BA/BSocSci with Psychology
    • Marks to aim for: English: 55–60%+
  • Civil Engineer
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BEng / BSc Eng at a university; Diploma or BEngTech at a university of technology
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for BEng; Diploma pass for a national diploma
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–38 for BEng, 24–30 for a diploma
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60–70%+ for BEng
  • Electrical Engineer
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BEng / BSc Eng (Electrical); Diploma / BEngTech
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for BEng; Diploma pass for a national diploma
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–38 for BEng
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60–70%+
  • Mechanical Engineer
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BEng / BSc Eng (Mechanical); Diploma / BEngTech
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for BEng
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–38 for BEng
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60–70%+
  • Architect
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BAS degree, then BArch/MArch; Architectural technology diploma
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–36, plus a portfolio or selection test at many schools
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 55–65%+
  • Quantity Surveyor
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BSc Quantity Surveying / Construction Studies; Diploma in Building / Construction
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 28–34
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 55–65%+
  • Software Developer
    IT & Data
    • Course routes: BSc Computer Science / BCom Informatics; IT diploma or accredited bootcamp/learnership
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for BSc/BCom degrees; Diploma pass for IT diplomas
    • Usual APS: Roughly 28–36 for a BSc Computer Science
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 55–70%+ for BSc
  • Data Scientist / Data Analyst
    IT & Data
    • Course routes: BSc Statistics / Mathematics / Computer Science; BCom Information Systems with analytics
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 30–36
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60–70%+
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
    IT & Data
    • Course routes: BSc Computer Science or IT diploma; Learnership plus certification
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass for degrees; Diploma pass for IT diplomas
    • Usual APS: Roughly 26–34
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 50–60%+ for degree routes

Showing 12 of 39 — open a field page to see the rest.

Keep these open by pulling your marks up

The subjects are right, but the usual APS is higher than your estimate.

  • Medical Doctor (MBChB)
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: MBChB degree at a medical school; Bridging route
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 35–42 (medical schools set their own scales, and many also use the NBT)
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: usually 60–70%+
  • Physiotherapist
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: BSc Physiotherapy
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 32–38
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 55–65%+
  • Dentist
    Health & Medicine
    • Course routes: Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS/BChD)
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 35–40
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60%+
  • Mining Engineer
    Engineering & Built Environment
    • Course routes: BEng / BSc Eng (Mining)
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 32–38
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 65%+
  • Veterinarian
    Science & Agriculture
    • Course routes: BVSc; Veterinary nurse diploma
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 33–40; entry is highly competitive with limited places
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60%+
  • Chartered Accountant CA(SA)
    Business & Finance
    • Course routes: BCom Accounting (SAICA-accredited), then CTA/Honours; Bridging via BCom General
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 32–38 for a SAICA-accredited BCom Accounting
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 60–70%+
  • Actuary
    Business & Finance
    • Course routes: BSc / BCom Actuarial Science, then professional exams
    • NSC exam result: Bachelor's pass
    • Usual APS: Roughly 38–44; among the highest entry requirements in the country
    • Marks to aim for: Mathematics: 80%+ is typical
2 careers your current subjects close

This planner is a guide only. APS calculations, subject requirements and exam rules differ between universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges — always confirm with the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.

Official links you will need

Apply and confirm requirements on the official sites — this website is independent and cannot process any application.

Career fields

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How to use this section

  1. Pick a field that interests you and read two or three careers in it.
  2. Check the required subjects before you finalise your Grade 10 choices.
  3. Compare the earnings table so you know what the work realistically pays.
  4. Confirm the marks with the university, university of technology or TVET college you plan to apply to — every institution sets its own rules.

Marks, APS scores and salaries on this site are indicative guidance gathered from public sources, not offers or guarantees.