Career Guidance
Straight answers on what each career needs to get in, what it pays, and where the jobs are — for South African students.
Find careers that fit you
Three quick questions — we match them to real South African study routes and tell you exactly what to do next.
Getting in: the facts you need first
APS points — how they work
Universities score your six best Grade 12 subjects: 80%+ = 7 points, 70–79% = 6 … down to 30–39% = 1. Life Orientation counts for some institutions only. Each programme sets a minimum APS — find it in the university's prospectus.
When to apply
University applications open between March and August of your Grade 12 year and most close in September — apply while you're still in school, and apply to at least three institutions. TVET colleges take applications throughout the year for trimester intakes.
Where to apply
Directly on each university's own portal (CAO centralises KZN institutions). NBTs are extra tests some programmes require — book early, only a few sittings per year.
Money
NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation and a living allowance for household incomes under R350 000/year — apply the moment applications open. Funza Lushaka funds teachers; SETAs fund trades; most universities give merit bursaries for 70%+ averages.
Health Sciences
Careers: Doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, paramedic, radiographer
Key subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, English
Typical pay: R15 000–R25 000 entry (professional nurse); doctors earn R50 000+ after community service
Bachelor's degree at a university (MBChB, Nursing, Pharmacy) or a diploma at a nursing college / TVET. NBTs are required for medicine. Bursaries: NSFAS, Department of Health bursaries (with service years).
Very high — SA has a critical shortage of nurses and doctors.
Engineering & IT
Careers: Civil / electrical / mechanical engineer, software developer, data analyst, network technician
Key subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, IT or CAT
Typical pay: R25 000–R45 000 entry (BEng graduate); R18 000–R35 000 in IT
4-year BEng at a university, 3-year diploma at a TVET/university of technology, or coding and data bootcamps. Eskom, Transnet and mines run learnerships and bursaries with guaranteed work.
High — especially electrical, civil, and software development.
Law
Careers: Attorney, advocate, legal adviser, paralegal, compliance officer
Key subjects: English Home Language strong; History / Business Studies helpful
Typical pay: R15 000–R30 000 candidate attorney; R40 000+ once admitted
4-year LLB, then articles of clerkship (2 years) + competency exams to be admitted as an attorney. Paralegal diplomas are available at TVET colleges.
Steady — commercial, mining and compliance law pay best.
Education
Careers: Teacher, education assistant, trainer, remedial therapist
Key subjects: Your teaching subjects (e.g. Mathematics, Languages, Sciences)
Typical pay: R18 000–R25 000 entry; R30 000+ with experience
4-year BEd or PGCE after a degree. The Funza Lushaka bursary pays tuition + living allowance in exchange for teaching at a public school after graduating.
Very high in Maths, Physical Sciences and African languages.
Business & Finance
Careers: Accountant, financial analyst, entrepreneur, marketer, internal auditor
Key subjects: Mathematics (not Maths Lit) for the CA route, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies
Typical pay: R20 000–R35 000 entry; R60 000+ as a qualified CA(SA)
BCom at a university, or diplomas at TVET/universities of technology. SAICA traineeships (articles) are paid positions — you earn while you qualify.
High — SA companies always need accountants and auditors.
Agriculture
Careers: Agronomist, farm manager, agricultural technician, food scientist, winemaker
Key subjects: Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Typical pay: R15 000–R28 000 entry
Elsenburg and universities of technology are known for practical agriculture diplomas. AgriSETA learnerships and bursaries from agri-businesses (e.g. Oceana, KWV) are widely available.
Growing — agri-processing, citrus exports and food security are priorities.
Sciences & Research
Careers: Biochemist, data scientist, lab technician, environmental scientist, researcher
Key subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences
Typical pay: R18 000–R35 000 entry; more with postgraduate qualifications
3-year BSc, then Honours. NRF funding covers most postgraduate science study. The CSIR, SKA (radio astronomy in the Karoo) and SANBI hire graduates.
Growing — data science, bioinformatics, water and energy research.
Arts, Media & Design
Careers: Graphic designer, journalist, filmmaker, musician, animator, UX designer
Key subjects: Visual Arts / Design / Dramatic Arts, languages
Typical pay: R10 000–R25 000 — freelance work varies widely
Degrees or diplomas at universities, universities of technology and private colleges. Build a portfolio NOW — enter competitions, do free work for local businesses, post online.
Competitive; digital design, video editing and UX pay best.
Tourism & Hospitality
Careers: Chef, hotel manager, tour guide, event planner, game ranger
Key subjects: Tourism, Hospitality Studies, Consumer Studies, languages
Typical pay: R8 000–R15 000 entry; management R20 000+
Diplomas, then in-service training. The industry values experience: part-time or holiday work in hospitality counts heavily. Learn a second European or Asian language to stand out.
Recovering strongly — Cape Town, Kruger and Garden Route regions.
Trades & Artisans
Careers: Electrician, plumber, welder, boilermaker, mechanic, solar installer
Key subjects: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Technology subjects
Typical pay: R12 000–R25 000 qualified; specialist artisans earn R35 000+
TVET qualification → apprenticeship/learnership (SETA-funded) → trade test at an accredited centre. Self-employment is common and profitable: a qualified electrician can run their own business.
Very high — electricians, plumbers and welders are on SA's scarce-skills list.
Public Safety & Defence
Careers: Police officer, metro police, SANDF soldier, forensic analyst, firefighter
Key subjects: Any matric subjects; Physical Sciences + Maths for forensic roles
Typical pay: R11 000–R16 000 as a trainee; R20 000+ with rank
Apply during national recruitment drives (watch the SAPS and SANDF careers pages). Study Policing or Criminal Justice diplomas part-time to move into detective and forensic work.
Steady — SAPS, metro police and the SANDF recruit annually.
Psychology & Social Work
Careers: Social worker, counsellor, psychologist, child & youth care worker
Key subjects: Any matric subjects; Life Sciences or Maths Lit helpful
Typical pay: R16 000–R22 000 (Department of Social Development); psychologists R40 000+ after registration
BSW leads straight to registration with SACSSP and mostly guaranteed government employment. Psychology needs a Masters (M Clin/M Couns) — plan 6–7 years total.
Very high — SA has a critical shortage of social workers and counsellors.
Logistics & Supply Chain
Careers: Supply chain analyst, warehouse manager, freight forwarder, procurement officer
Key subjects: Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Business Studies / Economics
Typical pay: R15 000–R30 000 entry
Diplomas and degrees in logistics/supply chain at universities of technology. SAPICS and Impendulo offer bursaries. Start in warehouse administration to learn the floor before analytics.
High — retail, e-commerce and freight are growing fast.
APS cutoffs and salary figures are indicative — always confirm current requirements in the prospectus of the institution you're applying to.