Your choices in Grades 9 to 12 shape the doors open to you afterwards. This page walks you through each year, so nothing catches you by surprise.
Not sure what you like yet? Start with the free career quiz. It takes five minutes and gives you careers to explore.
Grade 9: choosing your subjects
At the end of Grade 9 you pick the subjects you will write in Grades 10 to 12. Everyone takes a Home Language, a First Additional Language, Life Orientation, and either Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics. Then you choose three more subjects.
- Work backwards from careers. Many degrees need specific subjects. Engineering and most sciences need Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Health sciences usually need Life Sciences too. Commerce degrees often need Mathematics. Check the entry requirements of courses you like before you choose.
- Be careful with Mathematical Literacy. It is a good subject, but it closes the door on many university programmes. If you are unsure, keep Mathematics open as long as your teachers think you can manage it.
- Choose subjects you can do well in. Strong marks in subjects you enjoy beat weak marks in subjects that only look impressive.
- Talk to people. Your teachers, older learners and people working in jobs you are curious about know things the brochures leave out.
Grades 10 and 11: keep your marks up and build your story
- Your marks start counting early. Many institutions give conditional offers using your Grade 11 results, so these years matter as much as Grade 12.
- Get real experience. Shadow someone at work, join a club, volunteer, or start a small project. Our opportunities page lists places to start, and our “A Day in the Life” videos show you jobs you cannot visit in person.
- Explore options beyond university. TVET colleges, learnerships and apprenticeships lead to good careers, and many scarce skills are trades. See scarce skills.
- Start learning about money. Read our Money Matters page before you need to make big decisions about study costs.
Grade 12: applications and decisions
Most of the work happens in the first half of Grade 12, so start early.
- Shortlist 3 to 5 courses and more than one institution. Include a safe choice, a realistic choice and a stretch choice. Browse institutions.
- Check each institution’s closing date. Dates differ, and many close mid-year or by the end of September. Medicine and some other programmes close earlier.
- Gather your documents. Usually a certified copy of your ID, your latest school report, proof of address, and a parent or guardian’s ID.
- Apply for funding at the same time. Do not wait for admission before you look for money. See bursaries.
- Keep your marks strong. Final results decide whether a conditional offer becomes a place.
- Have a plan B. A different course, a TVET college, a learnership or a gap year with a plan.
Understanding your marks
- Your National Senior Certificate (matric) can be passed at different levels. A Bachelor’s pass opens degree study, a Diploma pass opens diploma study, and a Higher Certificate pass opens higher certificate courses. The Department of Basic Education publishes the exact requirements.
- Universities turn your marks into an Admission Point Score (APS). Each institution has its own method and some leave out or weigh Life Orientation differently, so use the calculator on the institution’s website.
- A programme can also have its own extra requirements, such as a minimum mark in Mathematics or an entrance test.
Beware of scams
Applying to NSFAS is free, and so are most bursary applications. Never pay someone to “guarantee” funding or a place. Only use official websites.