Grade 10 Subject Choices by Career: What You Need for Engineering, Medicine and More

The subjects you choose for Grade 10 decide which degrees stay open. Engineering, medicine, actuarial science, chartered accountancy and most science degrees need Mathematics — not Mathematical Literacy — and many also need Physical Sciences. Choose with the career in mind, and check each university's requirements before you commit.

At the end of Grade 9, South African learners choose the subjects they'll take to matric. It's the most consequential decision of high school — and it's made at 14 or 15, often before a learner knows what they want to study. This guide works backwards from careers to subjects, so you can keep the right doors open.

The choice that matters most: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Every learner takes one of the two. Mathematics opens the widest range of degrees. Mathematical Literacy closes several completely.

Mathematical Literacy rules out:

• Engineering

• Medicine and most health sciences

• Actuarial science

• Most BSc degrees, including computer science

• The chartered accountant route

Mathematical Literacy is accepted for many BA, BSocSci, law, education and some diploma programmes — but check each one.

If your child is unsure, Mathematics keeps more options open. It's far easier to move from Mathematics to Mathematical Literacy later than the other way round.

Subjects by career

Engineering

• Need: Mathematics and Physical Sciences, usually at high levels

• Example: for 2027, the University of Pretoria's BEng asked for an APS of 35, with Level 6 (70%+) in Mathematics and Physical Sciences

• Useful: Engineering Graphics and Design, Information Technology

Medicine and health sciences

• Need: Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences

• Note: medicine is among the most competitive programmes; marks at the top levels matter

Actuarial science

• Need: Mathematics at the highest levels — often Level 7 (80%+)

• Useful: Physical Sciences, Accounting

Chartered accountancy (CA)

• Need: Mathematics — not Mathematical Literacy

• Note: Accounting as a school subject is helpful but usually not required for a BCom (Accounting) degree

Computer science and IT

• Need: Mathematics for a BSc in computer science

• Useful: Information Technology, Physical Sciences

• Note: some diploma, bootcamp and certificate routes don't require Mathematics

Law

• Need: no fixed subjects at most universities, but strong languages and a good APS

• Note: some universities, including UCT and Stellenbosch, require the National Benchmark Tests for the LLB

Nursing

• Need: usually Life Sciences; Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy requirements vary

• Note: there are different routes — a higher certificate, a diploma and a Bachelor of Nursing — with different requirements

Teaching

• Need: depends on the phase and subjects you'll teach; teaching Mathematics or science needs those subjects at school

• Note: the Funza Lushaka bursary funds BEd study

Psychology

• Need: BA and BSocSci routes are accessible with most subject combinations; a BSc in psychology usually needs Mathematics

Business and commerce

• Need: Mathematics for most BCom degrees; some accept Mathematical Literacy

• Useful: Accounting, Business Studies, Economics

Always check the prospectus of each university and programme your child is considering. Requirements change from year to year.

Making sure the subjects add up to a Bachelor's pass

To apply for any degree, a learner needs a Bachelor's pass:

• 40% or more in the Home Language

• 50% or more in four designated subjects (not Life Orientation)

• 30% or more in the language of learning and teaching

• Six of seven subjects passed

So choose electives your child can do well in, not just ones that sound right for a career. Three strong electives make a Bachelor's pass far more reachable. See what a Bachelor's pass is.

If your child doesn't know what they want to do

Keep options open:

• Take Mathematics if they can manage it

• Add Physical Sciences or Life Sciences if there's any interest in science, health or engineering

• Choose one elective they genuinely enjoy — motivation lifts marks across the board

Use the evidence, not just preferences. Grade 8 and 9 marks, and how a learner copes with algebra, are the best guide to whether Mathematics is realistic.

How many subjects, and which are compulsory?

Every learner takes seven subjects:

• A Home Language

• A First Additional Language

• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

• Life Orientation

• Three electives

At Teneo, Grades 10 to 12 choose electives from up to 14 subjects. See FET phase subjects explained and when and how subject choices are made.

Can you change subjects later?

In Grade 10, usually yes — within the school's rules and deadlines.

After Grade 10, it gets much harder, because School-Based Assessment builds across Grades 10 to 12.

Under the Teneo Matric Guarantee, subjects can't be changed after Grade 10. For families joining in Grade 8, 9 or 10 in 2027, that makes the Grade 10 choice the final one. See the Matric Guarantee.

Getting help with the choice

Teneo's teachers guide subject choices at the end of Grade 9, using what the Smart School System™ shows about each learner's strengths subject by subject.

See Grade 10 at Teneo, or talk to admissions.

Frequently asked questions

Which subjects are required for engineering in Grade 10? Mathematics and Physical Sciences, usually at high levels. Engineering Graphics and Design and Information Technology are useful but not usually required.

Which subjects are required for actuarial science? Mathematics at the highest levels — often Level 7 (80% or more). Physical Sciences and Accounting are useful.

What subjects do you need to become a doctor? Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.

Can you become a chartered accountant with Mathematical Literacy? No. The CA route requires Mathematics. Accounting as a school subject is helpful but usually not required.

Do you need Mathematics for law? Usually not, but strong languages and a good APS matter. Check each university's requirements.

What should I choose if I don't know what I want to study? Mathematics if you can manage it, a science subject, and an elective you enjoy — the combination that keeps the most degrees open.

How many subjects do you take in Grade 10? Seven: two languages, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Life Orientation and three electives.

Requirements are typical examples from South African university prospectuses for 2027 entry. Always check the current prospectus for each programme.