What can I study without Physics and Mathematics in South Africa? Explore university, TVET and career options, including teaching, law, business and more.

Not having Mathematics and Physics does not mean your options after matric have disappeared. In South Africa, many students assume that university is mainly for learners who took Mathematics and Physical Sciences, but that is simply not the case. There are degrees, diplomas, higher certificates and college programmes that do not require both subjects.

The more important question is not, “Can I study without Mathematics and Physics?” but rather, “Which qualifications match the subjects I actually have, my APS score and the career I want?”

If you did not take Mathematics or Physics, you may still be able to study areas such as education, law, communication, humanities, social sciences, some business-related programmes, public administration, tourism and other fields. However, requirements differ between institutions and qualifications, so you should always check the latest admission requirements before applying.

First, understand what your missing subjects actually mean

Mathematics and Physical Sciences are important for many science, engineering, technology and health-related programmes. If a course specifically requires Mathematics, you generally cannot replace it simply because your overall matric marks are high.

The same applies to Physics.

For example, engineering programmes commonly require Mathematics and Physical Sciences because students need a strong foundation in calculations, scientific principles and problem-solving.

But that does not mean every university course has the same requirements.

A student who did not take these subjects may have a completely different set of opportunities.

This is why choosing a qualification based only on its name can lead to disappointment. Always look at the specific subject requirements, not just the general university admission requirements.

What Can I Study Without Physics and Mathematics at University?

There is no single national list of courses that every student can enter without these subjects.

Universities set their own requirements, and the requirements can also change between programmes at the same institution.

However, several broad study areas are worth investigating.

1. Teaching and Education

Education is one of the areas students without Mathematics and Physics can investigate.

There are different teaching qualifications, and the subjects you completed at school can affect which specialisation you can choose.

For example, a student interested in becoming a teacher may look at foundation phase, intermediate phase or other education routes, depending on the university’s requirements.

However, do not assume that all teaching degrees accept students without Mathematics.

Some teaching specialisations may require particular school subjects.

This is where your matric subject combination matters.

If teaching is your career goal, look beyond the question of whether you have Mathematics and ask:

• Which teaching phase interests me?
• Which subjects can I teach?
• Does the university require Mathematics?
• What APS is needed?
• Do I meet the language requirements?

This gives you a much more realistic picture.

2. Law and Legal Studies

Law is another field that may be worth exploring if Mathematics and Physics were not part of your matric subjects.

Many law qualifications place greater emphasis on language ability, academic performance and the institution’s admission requirements rather than Physical Sciences.

That can make law an attractive option for students who are strong in subjects involving reading, writing, argument and critical thinking.

However, law is not an “easy option”.

A law student can spend a considerable amount of time reading legislation, cases and academic material.

If you dislike reading or writing, choosing law simply because it does not require Physics may not be a good decision.

Instead, ask yourself whether you enjoy:

• Reading detailed information
• Writing clearly
• Analysing arguments
• Researching
• Debating ideas
• Paying attention to detail

Those abilities can be more important to your success in this field than knowing how to solve a Physics equation.

3. Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities and social sciences can provide a wide range of options for students who did not take Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Depending on the university and qualification, areas can include:

• Sociology
• History
• Politics
• Development studies
• Philosophy
• Languages
• Anthropology
• Social sciences

These programmes can suit students who enjoy understanding people, communities, institutions, cultures and society.

They can also provide a foundation for different career directions.

However, remember that studying a particular subject does not always lead to one specific job.

For example, a humanities qualification can be useful in areas involving research, communication, public service, education, development and administration, depending on the qualification and further experience you obtain.

4. Communication, Media and Journalism

If you are naturally interested in writing, social media, storytelling, public speaking or current affairs, communication-related programmes may be worth researching.

Depending on the institution, students can find programmes connected to:

• Communication
• Journalism
• Media studies
• Public relations
• Corporate communication
• Broadcasting

These fields generally do not revolve around Physics.

But they do require strong communication skills.

A student who wants to enter this area should start developing practical skills while studying.

For example, you can learn how to write articles, create digital content, conduct interviews, manage social media platforms or build a portfolio of your work.

That practical experience can make your qualification more useful when you eventually look for opportunities.

5. Public Administration and Public Management

Students interested in government, community services and administration can investigate qualifications related to public administration or public management.

These programmes can be relevant to careers involving government departments, municipalities, public organisations and administrative environments.

The exact requirements differ by institution.

Some qualifications may require Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, while others may have different subject requirements.

So instead of searching for a broad statement such as “public administration does not require Mathematics”, check the exact programme you want to study.

6. Tourism and Hospitality

Tourism and hospitality can also be worth considering.

Possible study areas include:

• Tourism management
• Hospitality management
• Travel and tourism
• Events-related studies
• Hotel management

These fields can appeal to students who enjoy working with people, organising activities, customer service and the travel industry.

That does not mean the courses have no numerical work at all.

Some programmes can include budgeting, business calculations or basic financial concepts.

The difference is that you may not need the same level of Mathematics and Physics required for an engineering or science qualification.

7. Business-Related Courses

Some business qualifications may be accessible to students who did not take Physical Sciences, although Mathematics requirements vary considerably.

Possible areas to investigate include:

• Human resource management
• Marketing
• Business management
• Office administration
• Entrepreneurship
• Retail management

This is an area where you need to be particularly careful.

Do not assume that “business course” means “no Mathematics.”

Certain degrees, particularly those involving accounting, economics, finance or quantitative analysis, can have specific Mathematics requirements.

If you are interested in business but did not take Mathematics, compare several qualifications instead of applying to the first one you find.

Courses you may struggle to enter without Mathematics and Physics

It is just as important to understand what may be difficult to access.

Many programmes in the following areas commonly have Mathematics, Physical Sciences or both as requirements:

Engineering

Engineering is one of the clearest examples.

Mechanical, civil, electrical and chemical engineering programmes commonly require strong Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

If you did not take these subjects, you should not assume that a high APS will automatically compensate for them.

Physical Sciences and some science degrees

Programmes involving physics, chemistry or advanced scientific study may require Mathematics and/or Physical Sciences.

Requirements vary, so check the qualification rather than relying on a general rule.

Computer Science and some IT programmes

This is an important one because many students assume that all IT courses are available without Mathematics.

That is not necessarily true.

Some information technology qualifications may have Mathematics requirements, while other technology-related programmes can have different entry requirements.

Before applying, check whether the specific qualification accepts Mathematics Literacy or requires Mathematics.

Health-related programmes

Some health science qualifications have strict subject requirements.

Depending on the programme, applicants may need subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.

If your goal is a particular healthcare career, investigate its admission requirements before choosing a course simply because it appears related to health.

What if you have Mathematical Literacy?

This is where many students make a mistake.

Not having Mathematics is different from having Mathematical Literacy.

If you completed Mathematical Literacy, you may still qualify for certain university and college programmes, but the options are not necessarily identical to those available to students who completed Mathematics.

Some qualifications specifically accept Mathematical Literacy.

Others require Mathematics and will not accept Mathematical Literacy as an alternative.

Therefore, when comparing courses, look carefully for wording such as:

• Mathematics
• Mathematical Literacy
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
• Mathematics at a specific achievement level

That small difference can determine whether you meet the academic requirements.

Your other matric subjects still matter

Not having Mathematics and Physics does not mean universities ignore the subjects you did take.

Your subject combination can open different doors.

For example, strong performance in languages may support applications for qualifications where language ability is important. Subjects such as Business Studies, History, Geography, Life Sciences or other school subjects can also be relevant depending on the programme.

This is why you should not describe yourself simply as:

“I don’t have Mathematics and Physics.”

A better question is:

“What subjects do I have, what are my marks, what is my APS, and what career do I want?”

That gives you a much stronger starting point.

Can I still go to university without Mathematics and Physics?

Yes, potentially.

But admission depends on the specific university and qualification.

For example, the Tshwane University of Technology admission requirements explains that applicants must meet the specific admission requirements for their chosen programme, and meeting minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission.

A student can meet the general requirements for university but still fail to qualify for a particular course because of missing subject requirements.

For example, you might meet an institution’s general admission standard but not qualify for a particular engineering degree because Mathematics and Physical Sciences are compulsory for that programme.

This is why checking the course requirements should happen before you submit an application.

If you are still trying to understand how APS works, it can also help to look at your APS score alongside the subject requirements instead of considering the points alone.

What if university is not an option?

University is only one route into further education.

A TVET college can provide another pathway, particularly for students interested in practical and career-focused programmes.

Depending on the institution and programme, students can investigate areas such as business studies, engineering-related vocational programmes, hospitality, information technology and other fields.

However, TVET programmes also have their own admission requirements.

Do not assume that because you do not meet a university requirement, every TVET programme will automatically accept you.

The same rule applies: check the specific qualification requirements first.

How to choose the right course without Mathematics and Physics

Instead of starting with a list of courses, start with yourself.

Ask what you are naturally good at

Do you enjoy writing, working with people, organising, selling, explaining things, helping others or working with technology?

Your strengths can help narrow down suitable fields.

Look at the career before the qualification

Do not choose a course because its name sounds impressive.

Find out what people with that qualification actually do.

A qualification should be connected to a career direction that makes sense to you.

Compare several institutions

The same broad field can have different admission requirements at different universities and colleges.

One institution may require Mathematics while another may accept Mathematical Literacy or have a different qualification that suits your subjects.

Don’t hide from your subject combination

Your matric subjects are not a weakness that you need to apologise for.

They simply influence which academic routes are available.

The smart move is to find the routes where your current qualifications give you the best chance of admission and success.

A low APS does not automatically mean you have no options

Students sometimes combine two worries:

“I don’t have Mathematics or Physics, and my APS is not very high.”

That can make the situation feel worse than it actually is.

Your options may become narrower, but they do not necessarily disappear.

Looking at several institutions can also reveal different opportunities. Our guide to [TUT courses for students with 23 APS] is another example of how your points can be considered when exploring study options.

You may need to consider different qualifications, institutions or entry routes.

A higher certificate, diploma, TVET programme or another qualification can sometimes provide a starting point from which you build further.

The important thing is to avoid choosing a qualification simply because you think it is the only one available.

Research first.

Before You Apply, Check These Four Things

Before submitting a university or college application, check:

1. Subject requirements
Does the qualification require Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physics or another specific subject?

2. APS requirement
Does your APS meet the stated minimum?

3. Admission level
Does your matric result meet the qualification’s admission requirements?

4. Career direction
Does the qualification actually lead towards the type of work you want to pursue?

Getting all four right can save you from applying for a course that you were never eligible to enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go to university without Mathematics and Physics?

Yes, potentially. Many qualifications do not require both subjects. However, certain programmes, particularly engineering, physical sciences and some technology and health-related qualifications, can have specific Mathematics and/or Physical Sciences requirements.

What can I study without Mathematics and Physics?

Depending on the institution and your other subjects, you may be able to consider areas such as education, law, humanities, social sciences, communication, media, tourism, hospitality, public administration and selected business-related programmes.

Can I study IT without Mathematics and Physics?

It depends on the qualification. Some IT and technology programmes have Mathematics requirements, while others may have different entry requirements. Always check the exact programme before applying.

Can I study teaching without Mathematics and Physics?

Some teaching qualifications may be available without both subjects, but requirements depend on the teaching phase and specialisation. Certain subject combinations may require Mathematics or another specific matric subject.

Is Mathematical Literacy accepted at university?

It can be accepted for some qualifications, but not all. Courses that specifically require Mathematics generally will not treat Mathematical Literacy as an automatic substitute.

Can I study engineering without Mathematics and Physics?

For many mainstream engineering degrees, Mathematics and Physical Sciences are compulsory or strongly required. If you are interested in engineering but do not have these subjects, investigate alternative qualifications and pathways rather than assuming you can enter the degree directly.

What should I do if I cannot find a university course that accepts my subjects?

Look at other qualifications, universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges. You can also investigate whether there is an appropriate bridging, higher certificate or other pathway that can help you move towards your preferred field.

Your subjects do not have to define your entire future

Not taking Mathematics and Physics can close certain academic doors, but it does not close every door.

The mistake is assuming that the only valuable careers are found in engineering, science, medicine or technology.

South Africa needs people across education, law, communication, business, tourism, public administration, social services, creative industries and many other areas.

Your job now is to find the route that matches your subjects, your marks, your interests and your career goals.

Before you apply, check the current admission requirements for the exact qualification you want. Requirements can change, and two institutions offering similar courses may not have identical rules.

A smart application is not about applying everywhere and hoping for the best.

It is about knowing what you qualify for, understanding your alternatives and choosing a study path that gives you a realistic chance to move forward.