VerifiedChoosing Grade 10 Subjects? One Decision Matters More Than the Rest.
At the end of Grade 9 a learner fills in a form. Most families treat it as admin.
It is closer to a one-way door. The subjects on that form decide what the learner can study at university three years later.
This guide covers how many subjects are required, which four are compulsory, the Mathematics decision, and which electives gate specific degrees.
How Many Subjects Do You Take in Grade 10?
At least seven, carried through Grades 10, 11 and 12.
Four are decided for you. Only three are yours to pick.
Some learners add an eighth subject. That is allowed, but it is three years of extra work and it only helps if the marks hold up.
Which Subjects Are Compulsory?
- A Home Language
- A First Additional Language
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
- Life Orientation
Three of those four are effectively automatic. The fourth is a real fork, and it is the subject of the next section.
Maths or Maths Literacy: Which Should You Take?
Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Technical Mathematics are three different subjects with three different consequences.
1. Mathematics Keeps the Most Doors Open
Engineering, the physical sciences, actuarial science, accounting and most health science programmes require it outright.
A learner without Mathematics is not under-qualified for those degrees. They are ineligible.
2. Mathematical Literacy Suits Other Routes
It covers everyday mathematics such as budgets, interest and reading data, and is accepted by many humanities, law and some commerce programmes.
3. Technical Mathematics Serves the Technical Stream
It is applied rather than abstract and pairs with the technical subjects.
North-West University’s own advice to Grade 9 learners:
If you are not sure what you want to study, take Mathematics, because it preserves the most options.
The same guidance makes two further points worth taking seriously:
- Moving down from Mathematics to Mathematical Literacy later is far easier than moving up
- Learners offering Mathematical Literacy or Technical Mathematics may be asked for higher marks on some programmes
Start high and step down if you must.
Which Electives Can You Choose From?
The national curriculum approves a long list, but no school teaches all of it.
Approved non-language subjects include Accounting, Agricultural Management Practices, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Technology, Business Studies, Civil Technology, Computer Applications Technology, Consumer Studies, Dance Studies, Design Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Equine Studies, Geography, History, Hospitality Studies, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Marine Sciences, Maritime Economics, Mechanical Technology, Music, Nautical Science, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies, Sport and Exercise Science, Technical Sciences, Tourism and Visual Arts.
Languages are offered at Home, First Additional and Second Additional level across Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga, with French and Mandarin as Second Additional Languages.
Ask the school two questions, not one:
Which subjects are on your list, and will that subject actually run next year? A subject with four learners signed up often does not.
Which Subjects Do Universities Require?
Beyond mathematics, a few electives work as prerequisites rather than preferences:
- Physical Sciences — engineering, most health sciences, the physical sciences
- Life Sciences — medicine, veterinary science, many allied health programmes
- Accounting — expected on some chartered accountancy routes, though strong Mathematics is often accepted instead
If a learner has even a vague leaning, check two or three universities’ published requirements now, in Grade 9. Requirements differ between institutions and change from year to year.
Funders read subject choices the same way. Many engineering bursaries set minimum marks in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, medical bursaries expect Life Sciences, and teaching bursaries favour applicants who can teach scarce subjects.
A Grade 9 form can decide which bursaries a learner may apply for in Grade 12.
Does Life Orientation Count for University?
You must pass it. It will not lift you.
Life Orientation is worth 10 credits while the other recognised subjects are worth 20, so universities routinely leave it out of an admission score.
Worth knowing in Grade 9 rather than Grade 12, because it means your other subjects carry all the weight.
Do Minimum Requirements Guarantee Admission?
No.
Universities repeat this and learners discount it.
Where places are limited, institutions select, and several use Grade 11 results to do it. The marks that decide a place are earned a year before the finals.
So the subject form is only half the task. The other half is understanding how marks convert into an APS score, which is the number faculties rank applicants with.
A learner who picks three electives they enjoy and score well in usually ends up ahead of one who picks prestigious subjects and fights them for three years.
The approved subject list sits on the Department’s CAPS pages for Grades 10 to 12, and North-West University publishes its Grade 9 subject choice guidance openly.
Grade 10 Subject Choice FAQs
Can I change from Maths Literacy to Maths in Grade 11?
Schools sometimes allow it, but it is the harder direction, because Mathematics covers content Mathematical Literacy does not. Decide in Grade 9 if you can.
How many subjects must I take in total?
At least seven: four compulsory and at least three electives. An eighth is permitted but adds three years of work.
Does a high Life Orientation mark help my APS?
Usually not.
It carries half the credits of other subjects, so most universities exclude it from the calculation.
What if my school does not offer the subject I need?
Raise it early. Some schools arrange a subject across a cluster of schools or through distance tuition. Otherwise you may need another school before Grade 10 starts.
Do universities look at Grade 11 marks?
Often, yes.
Applications open before the finals are written, so institutions use Grade 11 results for provisional offers and for selection.
Before You Sign the Subject Form
- Take Mathematics unless you are certain you will not need it
- Get the school’s confirmed subject list for next year
- Check two universities’ requirements for the field you are leaning towards
- Pick electives you can score well in, not impressive ones
Three years is a long time to carry a subject you chose because a friend did.