The National Senior Certificate (NSC) plays a crucial role in shaping the educational landscape in South Africa. As part of the amended Senior Certificate, the NSC outlines specific subjects that candidates must take to qualify for their high school diploma. This guide provides an overview of the subjects offered under the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), ensuring students, parents, and educators understand the options available.

To earn the Senior Certificate, candidates must choose six subjects from a list of 34 adapted National Senior Certificate subjects. This includes a variety of subjects categorized into four main areas: languages, agricultural sciences, business and commerce, human and social studies, and physical, mathematical, computer, and life sciences.

Table A: Official languages at Home and First Additional level

SUBJECT	NUMBER
Afrikaans Home language	13300019
Afrikaans First Additional Language	13310029
English Home Language	13300039
English First Additional Language	13310049
IsiNdebele Home Language	13300059
IsiNdebele First Additional Language	13310069
IsiXhosa Home Language	13300079
IsiXhosa First Additional Language	13310090
IsiZulu Home Language	13300099
IsiZulu First Additional Language	13310109
Sepedi Home Language	13300119
Sepedi First Additional Language	13310129
Sesotho Home Language	13300139
Sesotho First Additional Language	13310149
Setswana Home Language	13300159
Setswana First Additional Language	13310169
SiSwati Home Language	13300179
SiSwati First Additional Language	13310189
Tshivenda Home Language	13300199
Tshivenda First Additional Language	13310209
Xitsonga Home Language	13300219
Xitsonga First Additional Language	13310229

Table B1: Agriculture

SUBJECT	NUMBER
Agricultural Sciences	10320239

Table B2: Business, Commerce and Management Studies

SUBJECT	NUMBER
Accounting	12320249
Business Studies	12320269
Economics	12320269

Table B3: Human and Social Studies

SUBJECT	NUMBER
Geography	16320279
History	16320289
Religion Studies	16320299

Table B4: Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences

SUBJECT	NUMBER
Computer Applications Technology	19320309
Information Technology	19320319
Life Sciences	19320329
Mathematical Literacy	19320339
Mathematics	19320349
Physical Sciences	19320359

Subjects to be recognized
Senior Certificate subjects credits that were passed prior to June 2015, at Higher Grade and Standard Grade levels, excluding Lower Grade conversions, will be recognized.

With the exception of Business English N3, Second Language, and/or Sakeafrikaans N3, Second Language, no N3 subjects will be recognised.

In the case of learners, who have attempted the National Senior Certificate examination, but were unable to complete all the subject requirements, such candidates will have all their previous credits recognised.

Examinations

The Senior Certificate examination is written in May/June of each year. Candidates writing the Senior Certificate will be exempt from School Based Assessment(SBA), and this implies that the examination in the subject will constitute 100% of the final mark.

Examinations will be administered at designated examination centres determined by the Provincial Education Department. The examination may also be offered by the independent assessment bodies accredited by Umalusi.

Promotion requirements

A Senior Certificate will be achieved by an adult candidate who satisfies the following requirements in these examinations:

1. Pass three subjects at 40%, one of which must be an official language at Home Language level.
2. Pass two subjects at 30%, one of which must be an official language at First Additional or Home Language level.
3. Obtain a subminimum of 20% in the sixth subject.

FAQs on Senior Certificate 

1. Question: I wrote my matric in 2013 but did not gain university exemption. I would like to rewrite some of the subjects that I failed so as to gain entry into university. Will writing the SC help me?
   
   Answer: Yes, the SC exam certificate does offer the opportunity to enter any higher education institution.
    
2. Question: I failed 2 subjects when I wrote my matric in 1999. If I write the SC examinations will I be able to combine my 1999 SC results with the SC results?
   
   Answer: Yes you can, but keep in mind that only selected subjects are available and you have to comply with the subject choice requirements.
    
3. Question: I wrote 3 subjects in the 2018 SC exams and wrote 3 more in the 2019 SC exams but on my statement of results it is written ‘incomplete’. Must I write more subjects?
   
   Answer: Not necessarily. You have to apply for a combination of results and you have to comply with the subject choice and pass requirements.
    
4. Question: I want a matric certificate but the subjects I want to offer are not on the SC Subject list. What options do I have?
   
   Answer: Unfortunately, subjects with a practical component cannot be made available, because candidates are not receiving full time tuition.