USAf subject groups

Not all subjects are alike!

To obtain a USAf exemption certificate to study at a South African university, a student must present subjects classified by USAf into different groups.  Unfortunately, not all the subjects offered by the British International examination boards meet the requirements for grouping, so not all subjects are recognized by USAf for exemption purposes. It is important to understand what subjects are recognized by USAf before commencing on the course of study. What are these groups,  what subjects fall into the different groups and from which groups must a student choose?, are the topics of this article.

Any student wanting to study at a South African university must obtain an exemption certificate to show that they have met the minimum requirements to be admitted to study at a university. Students writing the CAPS national senior certificate or the IEB national senior certificate are granted the exemption certificate through Umulasi but students with foreign school leaving certificates such as the British international IG and AS/A-Level certificates must obtain their exemption through the matriculation board of Universities South Africa. See the articles $$$$ for more information on obtaining an USAf exemption certificate.

Remember there are three options open to private candidates (homeschoolers) to obtain a USAf exemption certificate, namely:

• Option 1: two A-Level subjects plus three IG subjects
• Option 2: three A-Level subjects plus one IG subject
• Option 3: four AS-Level subjects plus one IG subject

USAf does not recognize all the British International IG and AS/A-Level subjects, but those subjects that they do accept have been divided into five groups. Note this grouping of subjects is different to the grouping that each of the examination boards makes.

To obtain an exemption, a student must present a Group 1 subject, a Group 2 subject and at least one  Group 3 subject. The other subjects presented can come from either Group 3, 4 or 5.

Note that for a Group 5 subject to be recognized, the student must have passed at least IG maths with at least a C grade (60-69%)/

Group 1 (first language)

 Group 1 subjects includes English language or English language and literature or any other recognized first language.

Important notes regarding Group 1 subjects

This is a compulsory group. Students must present one subject from Group  1.

Students presenting the AS exemption option (i.e.4 AS subject and 1 IG - Option 3 above), but who do not present AS English first language or AS English language and literature but another first language, must present IG English First Language for Group 2.

Students presenting the A-Level exemption option (i.e. 3 A-Levels and 1 IG subject or 2 A-Levels and 3 IG subjects - Options 1 and 2 above), may present IG English first language, AS English Language, AS English Language and Literature or A-Level Language.

Students wanting to take English A-Levels must take English Language. Students can take all four exams together in one exam session or they can take a staged approach by writing AS-Level exams in one session and the A2 exams in another exam session as long as the A2 exams are written with 13 months of the AS-Level exams.

Remember that A-Level is comprised of two parts. The first half of A-Level is AS-Level, which is considered to be equivalent to a South African Grade 12. The second half of A-Levels is known as A2. Students can either write all the A-Level exams in one exam session or they can take a staged approach by writing AS Exams in one exam session and the A2 exams in another exam session as long as the A2 exams are written with 13 months of the AS-Level exams. 

Note that English language and literature in only offered to AS-Level.

Group 2 (second language)

Group 2 subjects includes the following languages: Afrikaans, Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, IsiZulu, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Malay, Marathi, Nepali, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Setswana, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish and Urdu

Important notes regarding Group 2 subjects

South Africa has eleven official languages and therefore learning another language is important. Research has shown the tremendous benefit of learning a second language. However, it is important to start leaning a second language early enough - preferably while the student is still in primary school or very early high school, so that the student can converse comfortably in the second language. Note that the list does include three South African languages: Afrikaans, IziZulu and Setswana. However, students are not limited to South African languages but may also take foreign languages such as French, German or Spanish as a Group 2 subject.

Note that not all the subjects in this group are offered by both British International examination boards. For example, only Cambridge International Education offers Afrikaans. Students writing their other subjects through Pearson Edexcel, may write Afrikaans through Cambridge International Education.

Note too that this is a compulsory group. Students must present one subject from Group 2. A second language is a prerequisite for university exemption. The subject can be presented at IG level or AS- or A-Level.

Group 3

Group 3 subjects include a third language (from the Group 2 list), biology, chemistry, combined science, coordinated science, mathematics, physics and physical science.

Important notes regarding Group 3 subjects

Students must present at least one Group 3 subject for university exemption.

Subjects can be presented at IG level, AS-Level or A-Level. Not all these subjects are available at all levels. For example, physical science (a combination of chemistry and physics)  is available at IG level but not at AS- or A-Level. Students have to take physics and chemistry separately at AS- or A-Level.

Group 4

Group 4 subjects include: art and design, biology, chemistry, economics, environmental management, geography, history, mathematics, music, physics and physical science.

Important notes regarding Group 4 subjects

This is not a compulsory group from which to choose subjects.

There is a overlap of subjects between Group 3 and Group 4. This means that some subjects can count as a Group 3 or a Group 4 subject depending on the other choice of subjects.

Group 4 subjects can be taken at IG, AS or A Level. Like the Group 3 subjects, not all the Group 4 subjects are available at IG level and AS/A Level.

Not all Group 4 subjects are available to private candidates. Subjects like art and design are not available to private candidates while subjects like environmental management allow for private candidates as long as they take certain exam options.

Group 5 subjects

Group 5 subjects include: accounting, business, computer studies, computing, computer science, design and technology, divinity, further mathematics, information technology, religious studies

Important notes regarding Group 5 subject

Group 5 subjects are only recognized if the student passes at least IG or O-Level maths with a minimum grade of a C (60-69%). This is a minimum requirement, so students taking a Group 5 subject can take maths to AS or even A-Level.

These subjects can be taken at IG, AS- or A-Level. Not all the subjects are available to private candidates.

Ungrouped but recognized subjects

Ungrouped but recognized subjects include: Literature in English, Applied information and communication technology, drama, travel and tourism, information communication technology.

These subjects are recognized but as they do not meet any grouping requirements, they will not be taken into account for grouping purposes. This means these subjects do not count towards the exemption certificate. It is therefore advisable that students taking these subjects, have enough other subjects at the correct level (AS or IG) and the right groups, so that they meet the minimum requirements for exemption. These subjects will serve more as foundational studies for tertiary study in these subjects.

For example, a student wanting to study English literature at university would be well advised to take English Language as their Group 1 subject and then present English literature as an extra subject over and above the required subjects for the different options for exemption.

Other subjects offered by the British International examination boards

The British International examination boards do offer other subjects that are not included in USAf's groups. One example would be AS Psychology. These subjects will not count towards an USAf exemption certificate and should be done as an extra subject. It is important to make sure that the student can obtain the USAf exemption certificate with their other subjects.

Choosing subjects

When deciding what subjects to study for the IG/AS/A-Level school leaving option, it is important to make sure that you choose a Group 1, Group 2 and a Group 3 subject.

This basically means choosing English, a second language and mathematics. The level of these three subjects would depend on which option the student is using to obtain the USAf exemption certificate. (I.e. two A-Level subjects plus three IG subjects or three A-Level subjects plus one IG subject or four AS-Level subjects plus one IG subject). I would. however, strongly recommend that students take English to AS Level even when they are taking other subjects to A-Levels. AS English is a common requirement for a university degree programme. Students taking English to only IG level are limited in their choice of study programmes at university.

Students should start a second language early enough to be able to speak, read and write comfortably well in order to communicate with other people.

Mathematics (maths) from Group 3 is another important subject to take since Group 5 subjects are only recognized if maths is passed at IG Level with a minimum of a C-grade (60-69%). Maths is a subject that for most students takes a long time to mature into and to master. Primary school and early high school maths preparation is essential. It is very important that students have mastered the prior knowledge required for maths before starting with IG maths.

Students should then choose at least another two or three subjects from list of subjects in Groups 3, 4 and 5. These subjects should be chosen according the student's interest, ability and preparation for future studies.

Some students may then want to take additional subjects to help them build a better foundation for their studies at university. For example, students wanting to study English literature may want to take English literature at AS level as preparation for their tertiary studies.

The ideal route chosen

A good option would be to choose six IG subjects (English,  a second language, maths plus three more subjects from Groups 3,4 and/or 5) and then take at least four of these subjects to AS-Level. (This should include English) A student wanting to do A-Levels, can then take two or three of the AS-Level to A-Level (Remember to write the A2 exams within thirteen months of the AS-Level exams.)

However, there are other routes that will also allow a student to obtain a USAf university exemption.

Not all subjects are alike. Choose your subjects carefully that will prepare you for a great future.