Choosing the right high school subjects

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The beginning of Grade 10 can be a mark of an important phase of your life. It is an important phase in your life as it can determine the academic direction of your life. It is also important because it can determine the career goals that you can pursue.  

Which Subjects Do I Choose From?

Here are the subjects from the Department of Higher Education and Training that you can choose from:

 Compulsory Subjects

  • Home Language
  • First Additional Language
  • Maths or Maths Literacy
  • Life Orientation

Optional Subjects

  • Commerce
  • Life Science
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Social Science

Commerce

  • Business Studies 
  • Economics
  • Accounting

Life Science

  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Computer Application Technology (CAT)

Travel and Tourism

  • Hospitality Studies
  • Tourism

Social Science

  • History
  • Geography

How Do I Choose My Subjects?

Here you are choosing your subjects in Grade 10, here is what you will need to consider:

  • Think about your career
  • Think about what is relevant to your career

Think About Your Career

You might have already decided on what you want your career to be, or you might have not. If you have not yet decided on your career, consider the following questions. They can assist you in coming up with a career choice:

  • Which career/s can I consider? – Come up with a list of the careers that you think you can consider
  • What do I value? – Here, consider what you value. For example, some people value, freedom, and some financial security while others may value family relationships.
  • Who am I as a person?– Consider whether you are a leader or a follower. Whether you can work in a team or independently.
  • What skills do I possess or that I am willing to acquire? – What skills do you have, or you are willing to acquire
  • What are my strengths and talents? – What is it that makes you unique, that is the strengths and talents that you have
  • What education am I interested in?– How far in education are you prepared to go, leanership, college or university
  • Where do I want to live? – Do you want to leave the country. Do you like urban or rural life?
  • Are there jobs in the career/s that I am interested in? – In the careers that you may be interested in, are jobs readily available?
  • How competitive is my career path? – Are you comfortable with the career path?

Think About What Is Relevant To Your Career

Think of what is relevant for you to be able to achieve your career. Do not think about what is easy. For example, you may choose to drop Maths when you are choosing your subjects because you think that Maths is hard. 

You drop it because you need a subject that will help you achieve the requirements of a Matric. However, you will find out later on in life that the medical degree that you want to pursue requires Maths.

How Do I Know What Subjects To Choose?

Match your career goals with the subjects that go with your career. The table below shows careers and the core subjects that can go with them: 

CORE SUBJECT

POSSIBLE CAREERS 

Mathematics 

  • Medical Doctor
  • Teacher
  • Pharmacist
  • Physicist
  • Actuary
  • Dentist
  • Town Planner
  • Engineer
  • Technologist
  • Technician
  • Architect
  • Scientist
  • Aeroplane Pilot
  • IT Specialist

Maths Literacy

  • Teacher
  • Computer programmer
  • Social Worker
  • Sales Executive
  • Business Manager 
  • Caterer 

Physical Sciences 

  • Medical Doctor
  • Teacher
  • Pharmacist
  • Actuary
  • Dentist
  • Engineer
  • Technologist
  • Technician
  • Architect
  • Scientist
  • Pilot
  • IT Specialist

Computer Application Technology (CAT)

  • Database designer
  • IT Specialist
  • Computer Technician
  • Software Engineer

Life Sciences

  • Marine Biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Biochemist 
  • Ecologist 
  • Physiotherapist
  • Botanist
  • Zoologist
  • Pharmacist 

Economics

  • Chartered Accountant
  • Economist
  • Tax Consultant
  • Auditor
  • Stock Broker
  • Budget Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Investment Analyst
  • Market Researcher

Accounting 

  • Chartered Accountant
  • Financial Accountant
  • Bookkeeper
  • Banking Services
  • Production Manager
  • Industrial Buyer
  • Retail Sales Executive
  • Systems Analyst
  • Chief Financial Officer

History 

  • Journalist
  • Public Relations
  • Researcher
  • Archaeologist
  • Historian
  • Lawyer
  • Politician
  • Diplomat
  • Librarian

Geography 

  • Environmental Planner
  • Environmental Journalist
  • Town Planner
  • Rural and Urban Planner
  • Meteorologist
  • Conservationist 

Languages

  • Interpreter
  • Journalist
  • Broadcaster
  • Author
  • Publisher
  • Editor
  • Tour guide
  • Translator 

Hospitality

  • Tour Guide
  • Tour Information Officer
  • Flight Attendant
  • Purser
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Hotel Manager
  • Chef
  • Bartender
  • Waiter 
  • Food and Beverage Manager
  • Banqueting Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Events Manager
  • Travel Agent
  • Fashion Designer

Why Is Choosing The Right Subjects Important?

As it can be seen from the table above, it is important to choose the right subjects because they can lead you to achieve your career goals. 

When you go to university or college, there can be subject requirements for the course that you want to do. Without that, you may end up studying for something that you are not passionate about.

What Are The Compulsory Subjects When You Study Matric?

Here are the compulsory subjects when you are in Grade 10: 

  • Home Language
  • First Additional Language
  • Maths or Maths Literacy
  • Life Orientation  

What Are High Credit Subjects?

High credit subjects are those subjects that have a higher rating when you apply for university. These are the subjects that qualify as high credit subjects:

Languages

  • Afrikaans
  • English
  • isiNdebele
  • isiXhosa
  • isiZulu
  • Sepedi
  • Sesotho
  • Setswana
  • Siswati
  • Tshivenda
  • Xitsonga

Non-language Subjects

  • Accounting
  • Agricultural Science
  • Business Studies
  • Consumer Studies
  • Dramatic Arts
  • Economics
  • Engineering Graphics and Design
  • Geography
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics Literacy
  • Music
  • Physical Science
  • Religion Studies
  • Visual Arts

What Are Elective Subjects?

Elective subjects are subjects that are not compulsory, and you can choose whichever one you want. When you are in Grade 10 you can choose one subject from the following group of subjects:

Commerce

  • Business Studies 
  • Economics
  • Accounting

Life Science

  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Computer Application Technology (CAT)

Travel and Tourism

  • Hospitality Studies
  • Tourism

How Many Subjects Do I Need To Pass Matric?

You will study (7) seven subjects for your Matric, and you will need to pass (6) six subjects to meet the requirements of a Matric.

What Are The Matric Requirements

There are four Matric Pass Levels. These pass levels will determine your admission to any one of the following study programmes:

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

The minimum requirements for a Bachelor’s degree programme are:

  • Minimum 40% for your home language
  • Minimum 50% for four other high credit subjects 
  • Minimum 30% for two other subjects

Diploma Pass

  • Minimum 40% for your home language 
  • Minimum 40% for three other high credit subjects 
  • Minimum 30% for two other subjects

Higher Certificate Pass

  • Minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • Minimum of 40% in two other subjects 
  • Minimum of 30% for three other subjects/Minimum 30% for two other subjects (SC (A))

National Senior Certificate Pass

  • Minimum of 40% in your home language
  • Minimum of 40% in 2 other subjects
  • Minimum of 30% in 2 other subjects

What Is The Best Subject In High School?

Choosing the best subject can be an individual choice. There is no set rule to determine the best subject in high school. 

For example, while one student may not be comfortable with figures, another one can have Maths as their best subject. This means that the subject that you enjoy most is your best subject.

What Are The 3 Most Important Subjects In High School?

The best three subjects in high school is your choice. Strengths in school subjects differ. It is up to you to determine what your best three subjects in high school are. Your best three might not be your colleague’s best three.

Which Subject Is Best For Future?

All subjects are equally just as important, as they all serve specific purposes. As it can be seen  from the table above, all subjects can be a requirement in specific careers. 

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 14, 2022