For South African parents, the move into Grades 10 to 12 is where subject choices start to shape a child's future, and understanding how the FET phase is structured is the first step to getting those choices right. This guide explains the FET phase, the seven-subject architecture, and the difference between compulsory and elective subjects — the foundation for every subject decision that follows.

What is the FET phase?

The FET phase — Further Education and Training — is the final three years of school in the South African system, covering Grades 10, 11 and 12. It follows the Senior Phase (Grades 7 to 9) and culminates in the National Senior Certificate (NSC), the matric qualification, examined externally at the end of Grade 12.

What makes the FET phase distinct is that it is where learners specialise. In earlier phases, all learners study broadly the same subjects; in the FET phase, while some subjects remain compulsory, learners choose electives that begin to shape their direction towards university and careers. It is also where the stakes rise: the NSC is a three-year qualification, and marks begin to count towards the final result from Grade 10 onwards (through School-Based Assessment), so the phase should be taken seriously from the start rather than only in the matric year. Understanding the structure early helps a family make good subject choices and support their child across all three years. Read the guide to choosing matric subjects.

Grade 10 to 12 subjects explained: the seven-subject structure

The heart of the FET phase is a clear structure: every learner takes seven subjects, made up of four compulsory subjects and a minimum of three elective (choice) subjects. This seven-subject package is required across all three years — Grade 10, 11 and 12 — and is what a learner is examined on in the NSC.

The four compulsory subjects, taken by every CAPS learner, are:

• A Home Language — the learner's main language of instruction (for example, English Home Language).

• A First Additional Language — a second language (for example, Afrikaans or an African language).

• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy — every learner takes one of these two (more on this crucial choice below).

• Life Orientation — a subject covering personal, social, health and career development.

On top of these four, a learner chooses at least three elective subjects from an approved list. Seven is the minimum; a capable learner may take additional subjects beyond the seven if they wish and the school allows it, but seven is the standard package. This structure — four compulsory plus three-or-more electives — is the architecture underneath every subject decision a family makes. Read about compulsory subjects in matric.

Fundamental (compulsory) vs elective subjects

The most important distinction to understand is between the compulsory subjects every learner must take and the electives a learner chooses — because it shapes how much choice a family actually has.

The four compulsory subjects are fixed: every learner takes a Home Language, a First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation. There is no choice about whether to take these — though there is one hugely important choice within them, discussed below. These provide the common foundation every matriculant shares.

The elective (choice) subjects are where a learner shapes their own path. A learner selects a minimum of three from an approved list, which typically includes subjects such as Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geography, History, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Information Technology, Consumer Studies, Tourism, and Visual or Dramatic Arts (exact availability varies by school). These choices matter enormously, because they help determine which university courses and careers a learner can pursue — a child aiming at a science degree, for example, will typically need Physical Sciences and Life Sciences as electives. Choosing electives well, with a child's interests and intended direction in mind, is one of the most consequential decisions of the FET phase.

The Mathematics vs Mathematical Literacy choice

One decision within the compulsory subjects deserves special attention, because it is the single most consequential subject choice a learner makes: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy. Every learner must take one of the two, and they are genuinely different subjects serving different purposes — not simply harder and easier versions of the same thing.

Mathematics is the traditional, more demanding subject, and it is required for entry to most science, engineering, health science, actuarial and commerce degrees. Mathematical Literacy focuses on applying mathematical thinking to real-life contexts and is less demanding, but it does not meet the entry requirement for those maths-dependent degrees. The critical point for families is that choosing Mathematical Literacy can close doors to a wide range of university courses, so a child with any possibility of a science, engineering, health or commerce path should think very carefully before dropping Mathematics. This is exactly the kind of decision where getting good subject-choice guidance early matters, because it is difficult to reverse later. Speak to Teneo Online School about subject choices.

How the NSC and assessment work across Grades 10–12

Understanding how the qualification is built across the three years helps a family support their child properly. The NSC is a three-year qualification, not a single Grade 12 exam — which is why the phase matters from Grade 10.

Two kinds of assessment combine to make up the final result. School-Based Assessment (SBA) — the internal assessments, assignments and tests done through the year — begins contributing to a learner's record from Grade 10 and forms a meaningful portion of the final matric mark. The external NSC examination is sat at the end of Grade 12 and is the major component. This is why marks in Grade 10 and 11 genuinely matter: they build the cumulative record and, importantly, subject performance in these years can affect whether a learner is allowed to continue with certain demanding subjects (schools may require a minimum mark to continue with Mathematics or Physical Sciences, for example). For a family, the takeaway is that all three years count — the FET phase is a continuous journey towards the NSC, not two quiet years followed by one that matters. A good online school tracks a learner's progress across all three years and supports them towards a strong NSC result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the FET phase? The Further Education and Training (FET) phase is the final three years of South African school — Grades 10, 11 and 12 — culminating in the National Senior Certificate (NSC), the matric qualification, examined externally at the end of Grade 12. It is where learners specialise, choosing elective subjects that begin to shape their university and career direction.

How many subjects do learners take in the FET phase? Seven subjects: four compulsory (a Home Language, a First Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation) plus a minimum of three elective subjects chosen from an approved list. Seven is the standard package required across Grades 10 to 12; a capable learner may take additional subjects beyond seven where the school allows.

What is the difference between compulsory and elective subjects? The four compulsory subjects are taken by every learner and provide a common foundation. The elective (choice) subjects — a minimum of three from an approved list — are where a learner shapes their own path, and they help determine which university courses and careers are open. Choosing electives well, with a child's direction in mind, is one of the FET phase's most consequential decisions.

Should my child take Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy? Every learner takes one of the two, and it is the most consequential subject choice. Mathematics is required for most science, engineering, health science and commerce degrees; Mathematical Literacy is less demanding but does not meet those requirements. A child with any possibility of a maths-dependent path should think very carefully before choosing Mathematical Literacy, as it is hard to reverse later.

Do Grade 10 and 11 marks count towards matric? Yes, in an important sense. The NSC is a three-year qualification, and School-Based Assessment begins contributing from Grade 10, building a cumulative record. Grade 10 and 11 performance can also affect whether a learner may continue with demanding subjects. The external NSC examination at the end of Grade 12 is the major component, but all three years matter.

What elective subjects can a learner choose? Electives are chosen from an approved list that typically includes Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geography, History, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Information Technology, Consumer Studies, Tourism, and Visual or Dramatic Arts, among others. Exact availability varies by school, so check which electives a particular school offers when choosing.

Understanding the FET phase — seven subjects across Grades 10 to 12, four compulsory plus a minimum of three electives, leading to the NSC — is the foundation for every subject choice your child makes.