Grade 9 Subject Chooser and High School Guide
Explore Grade 10–12 subject choices, or work out what to ask a high school while your child is in Grade 7.
Subjects only, not admission advice. This checks your subjects against the subject requirements of 134 programmes at 8 universities already on NoAdmin. Marks, APS and selection are not checked. A subject match does not guarantee admission.
Editable example. English Home Language, another official language at FAL, Mathematical Literacy, Geography, Business Studies and Economics. Life Orientation is included.
Technical pathway: confirm that the school is approved and registered for this pathway (§26A(4)). This tool checks the subject pattern, not the school’s approval.
Keeps 32 of 134 programmes open
“Open” means your subjects meet the programme’s subject requirements. Marks aren’t checked, and this is our list of 134 popular programmes, not every degree. Programme notes can contain further language or subject conditions, marks, tests and selection requirements that are not modelled here.
What would open more
Only single changes that meet the combination rules modelled here are shown. Check whether your school offers the combination.
Fields your child is interested in
Grades 8–9 share nine core subject areas in this policy, with language choices and exceptions (§19). Ask about the school’s Grade 10–12 offering and combinations. Some independent and specialist schools differ: check with the school.
Questions to ask the high school
A subject is listed only when the programmes truly need it; where either of two subjects is accepted, neither is listed as required. School language offerings, timetables and technical pathways still need checking.
Your choices are saved on this device only. Anyone with a share link can see them.
Check with your marksGrade 8 application dates by province
Policy facts and source
- Grades 7–9 have nine core subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Technology, Arts and Culture, and Economic and Management Sciences. §19(1)–(8)
- The core subject areas are shared, but language choices, optional additional languages and specified concessions mean that the programmes are not identical for every learner. §19(1), (1A), (9), (9A), (10)
- The usual minimum is seven subjects: two languages (at least one Home Language; the second can be Home or First Additional Language), a permitted mathematics subject, Life Orientation and at least three Group B subjects. This tool models three electives. §27(2)(a)–(d); 28(1)
- Technical Mathematics is for the technical pathway at an approved technical school. That pathway includes a technology specialisation, Engineering Graphics and Design, and Physical Sciences or Technical Science. Physical Sciences requires Mathematics. §26A(4); 27(2)(bA), (d)(ii); 28(4A)–(4F)
- The same language cannot be counted at two levels. Physical Sciences requires Mathematics. Consumer Studies and Hospitality Studies cannot be taken together. §28(3), (4D), (5)
Uses the DBE’s 5 February 2021 consolidated National Policy on Programme and Promotion Requirements, not a claim that every school or concession is covered. Its Senior Phase table says “Arts and Culture”.
Read the DBE policy (PDF)How it works
The learner view starts with seven subjects, including Life Orientation. We check whether each programme’s required subjects are among the ones you chose. We do not calculate APS or predict your marks.
The parent view counts the subjects the programmes in your chosen fields require. A subject appears only if at least half the listed programmes in that field need it. This describes the dataset, not the value of a subject or a career recommendation.
The policy sets a minimum of three additional subjects and permits more subjects subject to conditions. This tool models three common non-language electives. Confirm your school’s offerings, timetable, technical approval and any concessions.
Questions
Which subjects are compulsory in Grades 8–9?
Grades 7–9 have nine core subjects: two languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Life Orientation, Social Sciences, Technology, Arts and Culture, and Economic and Management Sciences. The policy also allows language choices, optional additional languages and concessions (§19).
How many subjects do learners take in Grades 10–12?
The usual minimum is seven subjects: two languages (at least one Home Language; the second can be Home or First Additional Language), a permitted mathematics subject, Life Orientation and at least three Group B subjects. This tool models three electives. The second language may be Home Language too. School offerings and policy combination rules still apply.
Can Physical Sciences be taken with Mathematical Literacy?
The specified DBE policy requires Mathematics for learners taking Physical Sciences (§28(4D)). Technical Mathematics has separate technical-pathway rules; this tool flags combinations that conflict with the rules it models.
Does “open” mean I will qualify for a degree?
No. This checks only the subject requirements of the 134 programmes already listed on NoAdmin, at 8 universities. It ignores actual marks, APS, selection and requirements only described in programme notes. Read the official programme requirements and check with your marks.
Why does a school checklist omit a subject I have heard is useful?
It counts a subject only when a programme can’t be met without it. An either/or rule does not make both alternatives compulsory. Only subjects needed by at least half of the programmes in a field appear; this is not a list of recommended career subjects.