If you are considering further education, but you’re not exactly sure which course to apply for, these tips will guide you through the decision making process:

  • do you enjoy interacting with people?
  • what kind of people?
  • which age group?
  • are you interested in business activities?
  • do you enjoy expressing yourself creatively?
  • does scientific information excite you?
  • do you want to work outdoors? with animals or plants ? or just outside activity?
  • do you prefer doing things with your hands or working with tools?
  • what are/were your favourite school subjects? why?
  • What subjects do/did you not mind doing homework in?
  • do you enjoy reading and/or writing?
  • what topics do you enjoy reading about?
  • what is your favourite television programme?
  • what are your hobbies?
  • what is your favourite thing to do when you have free time?
  • what makes your skin tingle with excitement?
  • what makes you feel alive?
  • what can you continue doing for hours without getting tired or bored?
  • what would your ideal work day/week look like?
  • what are you good at?
  • what have been your greatest achievements thus far?
  • what awards have you received in the past?
  • what school subjects do/did you achieve the best results in?
  • what do other people praise you for?
  • what are the compliments you normally receive?
  • what are your special talents?
  • what comes easy to you?
  • what can you do better than most other people you know?
  • do you enjoy organising things and/or people around you?
  • do you prefer having a flexible schedule or to have everything planned out in advance?
  • do you regard yourself as a systematic person?
  • do you prefer creating your own way of doing things as you go along?
  • do you regard yourself as more people- or task-oriented?
  • do you get a kick out of getting things done or do you enjoy the process?
  • which kinds of people or environments frustrate you?
  • what do you value as important?
  • who do you look up to as role model? why?
  • what kind of characteristics do you respect in other people?
  • what would you not compromise on?
  • what do you regards as most important: relationships, financial security, knowledge, authenticity, status, challenge, independence, balance, personal growth, service to others, freedom, acknowledgement, variety, meaning, creativity, ambition
  • what do your friends say about the career options you are considering?
  • what influence do your parents have on your decision?
  • what is your current financial situation? how does this influence your options?
  • location, location, location – where do you want you live? does this limit your options?
  • think about other factors that might influence your future career decision

When you have a good understanding of who you are, you are ready to discover more about different career fields by doing the following:

1.  Consider different career fields

Do online or paper research to learn about the careers that are available in your fields of interest (useful websites: gostudy.net, onetonline.org, careerssa.net and advice.careerbuilder.com)

agriculture
art and visual communication
performing arts and the entertainment industry
commerce, management and finances
engineering, design and the built environment
health sciences
sport
hospitality and tourism
information technology and computer science
law careers
linguistic careers
sciences
social sciences, humanities and theology
education

2. Consider the following information of the careers you are interested in

job description
job requirements
salary scale and demand

3. Talk to people who are following a career you are interested in

what do you need to talk about?

4. Apply for an internship, shadow an employee or visit a workplace at a job you are interested in

why is this important

Having a better understanding of the career you want to follow, it is super important that you also consider the following:

1. Different types of qualifications and their requirements

2. Different type of institutions and qualifications

A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants theoretical-orientated degrees in a variety of subjects. Contact the different universities for more information:

Cape Town 021 650 9111 www.uct.ac.za
Fort Hare 040 602 2011 www.ufh.ac.za
Free State 051 401 9111 www.ufs.ac.za
Kwazulu-Natal 031 260 1111 www.ukzn.ac.za
Limpopo 012 521 4111 www.ul.ac.za
North West 018 389 2111/0861 00 00 85 www.nwu.ac.za
Pretoria 012 420 3111 www.up.ac.za
Rhodes 046 603 8111 www.ru.ac.za
Stellenbosch 021 808 9111 www.maties.com
Western Cape 021 959 2911 www.uwc.ac.za
Witwatersrand 011 717 1000 www.wits.ac.za

A University of Technology offers vocational-orientated degrees and diplomas, focused on innovative problem solving research. Contact the different universities of technology for more information:

Cape Peninsula 021 959 6230 www.cput.ac.za
Central (Free State) 051 507 3911 www.cut.ac.za
Durban 031 373 2000 / 0860 10 31 94 www.dut.ac.za
Mangosuthu (KZN) 031 907 7111 www.mut.ac.za
Tswane 012 382 5911 / 0861 10 24 21 www.tut.ac.za
Vaal 016 950 9000 www.vut.ac.za

A comprehensive or combined university offers both types of qualifications, as referred to above. Contact the different universities for more information:

Johannesburg 011 559 2911/0800 62 36 98 www.uj.ac.za
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan 041 504 1111 www.nmmu.ac.za
UNISA 0861 67 04 11 www.unisa.ac.za
Venda 015 962 8000 www.univen.ac.za
Walter Sisulu 047 502 2111 www.wsu.ac.za
Zululand 035 902 6000 www.uzulu.ac.za
Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges (previously FET colleges) courses are vocational or occupational by nature meaning that the student receives education and training with a view towards a specific range of jobs or employment possibilities.  Under certain conditions, some students may qualify for admission to a University of Technology to continue their studies at a higher level in the same field of study as they were studying at the TVET College. For more information: www.fetcolleges.co.za

University

  • Bachelor degrees, which can be followed by Honours, Masters and PHD

Comprehensive/Combined Universities

  • Bachelor degrees
  • National Diplomas, which can lead to BTech, MTech and DTech degrees

University of Technology

  • National Diploma, which can lead to BTech and MTech and DTech degrees
  • Bachelors degrees

TVET College

  • NSC (V) which could lead to National Certificate or National Diploma
  • National Certificates
  • National Diploma

Now that you understand the different tertiary institutions, qualifications and requirements, identify a course you want to apply for by following the steps below:

1. Choose the career field you identified with at tip #2
2. Visit the faculty website of your institution of choice to learn more about the courses available

EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. agricultural management, agricultural economics, farming, animal sciences (zoology), veterinary science, veterinary nursing, game farm management, plant- and soil science, earth science, geology, horticulture, wine making, viticulture, wine cellar management, food science, nature conservation, ecology, eco-tourism, wood science, forestry, aquaculture, oceanography, marine biology, landscape architecture, landscape technology, environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, environmental planning, plant- or animal breeding, environmental consultancy. Universities
NMMU Science
NWU Natural Science 
SUN Agrisciences 
UCT Science
UFS Natural and Agricultural Sciences
UJ Science
UKZN Agriculture, Engineering and Science
UP Natural and Agricultural Sciences
UP Veterinary Sciences
UWC Science
WITS ScienceUniversities of Technology
CPUT Applied Science
CUT Health and Environmental Science
DUT Applied Sciences
MUT Sciences
TUT Science
VUT Applied and Computer ScienceTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. graphic design, animation, fine art, sculpting, illustration, photography, video editing, creaitive consultancy, colour consultancy, fashion design, jewellery design, interior design, multimedia, branding Universities
NMMU Arts
NWU Arts
RU Humanities
SUN Arts and Social Sciences
UCT Humanities
UFS Humanities
UJ Art, Design and Architecture
UKZN Humanities
UP Humanities
UWC Arts
WITS HumanitiesUniversities of Technology
CPUT Informatics and Design
CUT Humanities
DUT Art and Design
TUT Arts
VUT Human SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. drama, acting, radio and television announcing, film and television production, directing and editing, broadcasting journalism, sound engineering, dance, musical theatre, musical performance, conducting, orchestral performance, accompaniment Universities
NMMU Arts
NWU Arts
RU Humanities
SUN Arts and Social Sciences
UCT Humanities
UFS Humanities
UJ Humanities
UKZN Humanities
UP Humanities
UWC Arts
WITS HumanitiesUniversities of Technology
TUT Arts
DUT Art and DesignTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. business management, advertising, marketing, brand management, entrepreneurship and innovation, project management, economics, financial risk management, investment management, banking, logistics management, statistics, human resource management, industrial psychology, accounting, actuarial science, computer science and information systems, financial planning, operational research, office management, debt counselling, auditing, sales consulting, financial analysis, tax and revenue services Universities
NMMU Business and Economic Sciences
NWU Economic and Management Sciences
RU Commerce
SUN Economic and Management Sciences
UCT Commerce
UFS Economic and Management Sciences
UJ Economic and Financial Sciences
UKZN Law and Management Studies
UP Economic and Management Sciences
UWC Economic and Management Sciences
WITS Commerce, Management and LawUniversities of Technology
CPUT Business
CUT Management Sciences
DUT Management Sciences
MUT Management Sciences
TUT Economics and Finances
TUT Management Sciences
VUT Management Sciences TVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, aeronautical engineering, mining engineering, biomedical engineering, computer engineering and programming, architecture, draughtsmanship, architectural technology, industrial design, surface design, construction management, town and regional planning, land surveying, quantity surveying Universities
SUN Engineering
UCT Engineering and the Built Environment
UJ Engineering and the Built Environment
UKZN Agriculture, Engineering and Science
UP Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology (IT)
WITS Engineering and the Built EnvironmentUniversities of Technology
CPUT Engineering
CPUT Informatics and Design
CUT Engineering and Information Technology
DUT Arts and Design
DUT Engineering and the Built Environment
MUT Engineering
TUT Engineering and the Built Environment
VUT Engineering and TechnologyTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. medicine (general practice or speciality field), physiotherapy, dietetics, speech and language therapy and audiology, occupational therapy, nursing, radiography, emergency medical care, medical research, somatology, pharmacology, chiropractics, dentistry, oral hygiene, optometry, orthotics and prosthetics, clinical medical practice, biomedical technology Universities
NMMU Health Sciences
NWU Health Sciences
RU Health Sciences
RU Pharmacy
SUN Medicine and Health Sciences
UCT Health Sciences
UFS Health Sciences
UJ Health Sciences
UKZN Health Sciences
UP Health Sciences
UWC Community and Health Sciences
UWC Dentistry
WITS Health SciencesUniversities of Technology
CPUT Health and Wellness Sciences
CUT Health and Environmental Sciences (Agricultural/Clinical/Health/Life Sciences)
DUT Health SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. sport science, biokinetics, sport psychology, sport and recreation management, sport administration, coaching, personal training, fitness instruction, professional sport, sport agent Universities
NMMU Health Sciences
NWU Health Sciences
RU Humanities
RU Science
SUN Arts and Social Sciences
SUN Science
UFS Health Sciences
UJ Health Sciences
UJ Sciences
UKZN Health Sciences
UP Economic and Management Sciences
UP Humanities
UWC Community and Health Sciences
WITS Health SciencesUniversities of Technology
CPUT Business
CUT Management Sciences
DUT Management Sciences
TUT Management Sciences
VUT Management SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. hospitality management, hotel management, culinary arts (chef), event planning and coordination, tourism management, consumer science, eco-tourism management, travel agent Universities
NMMU Business
NWU Economic and Management Sciences
NWU Natural Sciences
NWU Health Sciences  (Consumer Sciences)
UP Natural and Agricultural SciencesUniversities of Technology
CUT Management Sciences
DUT Management Sciences
TUT Management Sciences
VUT Human SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. computer programming, software engineering, computer hardware engineer, computer system analysis, website design and programming, computer science, computer network support services, computer technology, CIS management, computer systems administration, database administration, desktop publishing Universities
NMMU Business and Economic Science
NMMU Science
NWU Natural Science
RU Commerce
RU Science
SUN Economic and Management Sciences
UCT Commerce
UCT Science
UJ Science
UKZN Agriculture, Engineering and Science
UP Economic and Management Sciences
SUN Science
UWC Natural Science
WITS ScienceUniversities of Technology
CPUT Informatics and Design
TUT Information and Communication Technology
CUT Engineering and Information Technology
VUT Applied and Computer Sciences
VUT Engineering and TechnologyTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. attorneys, advocates, legal advisers, prosecutors, advocates, magistrate, lawyer, legal secretary, paralegal, legal assistant, court clerk Universities
NMMU Business and Economic Sciences
NMMU Law
NWU Law
UCT Commerce
UCT Law
UFS Law
UKZN, Commerce, Law and Management Studies
UP Economic and Management Sciences
UP Humanities
UP Law
US Law
UWC Economic and Management Sciecnes
UWC Law
WITS Commerce, Law and Management
WITS HumanitiesUniversities of Technology
DUT Management Sciences
VUT Human SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. journalism, translating, interpretation, document/information design, author, copywriting, publisher, news editing, lexicography, script writing, library/information services Universities
NMMU Arts
NWU Arts
RU Humanities
SUN Arts and Social Sciences
UCT Humanities
UFS Humanities
UJ Humanities
UKZN Humanities
UP Humanities
UWC ArtsUniversities of Technology
CUT Humanities
TUT Humanities
DUT Art and Design
CPUT Informatics and Design (Journalism)TVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. physics, nuclear physics, laser physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology and earth sciences; geo-informatics (GIS and earth observation), microbiology, biotechnology (human, plant and animal cells), genetics and forensic science, genetic counselling, biochemistry, textile science, quality management, human physiology, medical research, medical representative, laboratory analysis, stem cell research, biofuel development, mining geology, environmental geochemistry, mineralogy, geophysics, radiation physics Universities
NMMU Science
NWU Natural Sciences
RU Science
SUN Science
UCT Science
UFS Natural and Agricultural Sciences
UJ  Science
UKZN Agriculture, Engineering and Science
UP Natural and Agricultural Sciences
UWC Natural Sciences
WITS ScienceUniversities of Technology
CPUT Applied Science
DUT Applied Sciences
MUT Sciences
TUT Science
VUT Applied and Computer Science TVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. psychology, counselling, social work, sociology, politics, philosophy, diplomatic service, policy analysis and consultation, social anthropology, community development, population studies, civil service, history, youth work, community work, minister Universities
NMMU Arts
NWU Arts
RU Humanities
SUN Arts and Social Sciences
SUN Theology
UCT Humanities
UFS Humanities
UFS Theology
UJ Humanities
UKZN Humanities
UP Humanities
UP Theology
UWC Arts
WITS HumanitiesUniversities of Technology
TUT Humanities
CUT Humanities
VUT Human SciencesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za
EXAMPLES OF CAREERS INSTITUTIONS AND FACULTIES
e.g. teaching (pre school, foundation phase, senior phase or further education and training), remedial support, special needs education, educational psychology, curriculum development, policy analysis and consultation Universities
NMMU Education
NWU Education and Training
RU Education
UFS Education
UJ Education
UKZN Humanities
UP Education
US Education
UWC Education
WITS HumanitiesUniversities of Technology
CPUT Education
CUT Humanities
DUT Art and Design
TUT HumanitiesTVET Colleges
www.fetcolleges.co.za

3. Download the faculty yearbook or calendar for more information
4. Compare the content, focus and specific requirements of different courses
5. Make sure which courses’ content and focus correspond with the requirements of the career you are interested in
6. Make sure which courses’ requirements correspond with your academic skills and scholastic performance
7. Make sure of any additional requirements like portfolios, selection interviews or additional application forms that have to be completed
8. Check by which date you need to write the National Benchmark Tests (for more information also visit www.nbt.ac.za)
9. Make sure of the application deadline

Following these steps should equip you to better decide on the tertiary education you want to pursue. If you are still unsure about what exactly you want to study, make a booking