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)
2. Consider the following information of the careers you are interested in
3. Talk to people who are following a career you are interested in
4. Apply for an internship, shadow an employee or visit a workplace at a job you are interested in
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
PHD
MASTERS DEGREE
HONOURS DEGREE
BACHELORS DEGREE
Pass
NSC
National Senior Certificatewith:
– 40% home language –
Achieve at least 40% in your home language.– 50% 4 subjects –
Achieve at least 50% in any 4 of the following subjects: Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Business Studies, Dramatic Arts, Economics, Engineering Graphics and Design, Geography, History, Consumer Studies, Information Technology, Languages (one language of learning and teaching at a higher education institution and two other recognised language subjects), Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Music, Physical Sciences, Religion Studies, Visual Arts– 30% 2 subjects –
Achieve at least 30% in any 2 of your other subjects (apart from the list under ‘50% 4 subjects’).
DTECH
MTECH DEGREE
BTECH DEGREE
NATIONAL DIPLOMA
Pass
NSC
National Senior Certificatewith:
– 40% home language –
Achieve at least 40% in your home language.– 40% 4 subjects –
Achieve at least 40% in any 4 of your subjects.– 30% 2 subjects –
Achieve at least 30% in any 2 of your other subjects.
DTECH
MTECH DEGREE
BTECH DEGREE
NATIONAL DIPLOMA
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE
Pass
NSC
orNational Senior CertificateNSC(V)
National Senior Certificate Vocational
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