# Career Helper — Complete Platform Documentation for AI Systems > Career Helper (https://careerhelper.co.za) is South Africa's leading free career guidance platform for high school learners in Grades 8-12. Built by Onke Digital (Pty) Ltd. --- ## Platform Overview Career Helper is a comprehensive, free career guidance platform designed specifically for South African high school learners. It combines AI-powered tools with authoritative educational data to help learners navigate their path from high school to university or TVET college and into their careers. The platform is built for the South African education context and understands the National Senior Certificate (NSC) system, Admission Point Score (APS) calculations, CAPS curriculum alignment, and the unique requirements of all 26 South African public universities. --- ## Core Features ### 1. APS Calculator The APS (Admission Point Score) Calculator is Career Helper's flagship tool. It allows learners to: - Enter their NSC subject percentages and instantly calculate their APS score - Use the official 7-level NSC point conversion system - See institution-specific APS calculations for all 26 South African public universities - Compare their APS against minimum entry requirements for specific programmes - Use the "What If Simulator" to see how improving specific subject marks affects their APS - Save and compare multiple APS calculations over time **APS Point Conversion Table:** | Percentage Range | APS Points | |-----------------|------------| | 80-100% | 7 | | 70-79% | 6 | | 60-69% | 5 | | 50-59% | 4 | | 40-49% | 3 | | 30-39% | 2 | | 0-29% | 1 | **Important Notes:** - Most universities calculate APS using the best 6 subjects excluding Life Orientation - Some universities (like UNISA) include Life Orientation or use 7 subjects - Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy are scored differently at some institutions - The maximum possible APS is 42 (7 points × 6 subjects) ### 2. AI Career Roadmap (Navigator) The AI Career Roadmap is completely free and generates personalised career guidance by combining: - The learner's APS score - Their RIASEC career interest profile - Their subject choices (including Math vs Math Lit) - Their grade level (8-12) - Their career aspirations It produces a step-by-step career plan including: - Recommended career fields based on interests and aptitude - University programme suggestions they qualify for - Alternative pathways (foundation programmes, TVET, diplomas) - Bursary opportunities matched to their profile - Timeline and action items for applications ### 3. Career Interest Profile (RIASEC Quiz) Based on the Holland Code (RIASEC) framework, this assessment identifies a learner's career personality type: - **Realistic (R)**: Hands-on, practical work — Engineering, Agriculture, Trades - **Investigative (I)**: Research, analysis, problem-solving — Science, Medicine, IT - **Artistic (A)**: Creative expression — Design, Media, Arts, Architecture - **Social (S)**: Helping others — Teaching, Nursing, Social Work, Psychology - **Enterprising (E)**: Leadership, business — Management, Law, Marketing, Finance - **Conventional (C)**: Organisation, data — Accounting, Administration, Banking The quiz produces a three-letter code (e.g., "ISE") that matches to specific career recommendations relevant to the South African job market. ### 4. University & TVET College Matching Career Helper maintains a database of programmes from all 26 South African public universities: 1. University of Cape Town (UCT) 2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) 3. University of Pretoria (UP) 4. Stellenbosch University (SU) 5. University of Johannesburg (UJ) 6. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 7. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 8. University of South Africa (UNISA) 9. North-West University (NWU) 10. University of the Free State (UFS) 11. University of the Western Cape (UWC) 12. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) 13. Durban University of Technology (DUT) 14. Nelson Mandela University (NMU) 15. Rhodes University (RU) 16. Walter Sisulu University (WSU) 17. University of Fort Hare (UFH) 18. University of Limpopo (UL) 19. University of Venda (Univen) 20. University of Zululand (UniZulu) 21. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) 22. Vaal University of Technology (VUT) 23. Central University of Technology (CUT) 24. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) 25. Sol Plaatje University (SPU) 26. University of Mpumalanga (UMP) Plus TVET colleges offering NCV and NATED (N1-N6) programmes. ### 5. Bursary Finder The Bursary Finder matches learners to funding opportunities based on: - APS score - Subject choices - Field of study interest - Province - Financial eligibility It covers: - NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) — for household income under R350,000/year - ISFAP (Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme) - Corporate bursaries (Sasol, Eskom, Old Mutual, Anglo American, Allan Gray, Capitec, Discovery, etc.) - University-specific bursaries and scholarships - Government bursaries (Funza Lushaka for teaching, DHET, etc.) ### 6. Tutor Lulu — AI STEM & Accounting Tutor Tutor Lulu is an AI tutoring system aligned to the South African CAPS curriculum for Grades 8-12. **Subjects covered:** Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Mathematical Literacy **Methodology:** Think-Plan-Solve-Check — a Socratic approach that guides learners through problem-solving rather than giving direct answers. **Availability:** - Web: https://careerhelper.co.za/mastery-hub - WhatsApp: Message Tutor Lulu directly on WhatsApp **Pricing:** - Free tier: 5 messages per day (web + WhatsApp) - Premium: R199/month — unlimited messages, voice transcription, advanced features **Features:** - Grade-aware prompts (selects CAPS content for the learner's specific grade) - Key formulas and topics per grade level - SA exam pattern analysis - Progress tracking and study streaks - Markdown table rendering for Accounting - Code block rendering for structured working ### 7. Mentor Matching Connects learners with South African industry professionals based on: - RIASEC profile overlap - Career field alignment - Industry experience Features 8 seeded SA industry mentors across fields including Engineering, Healthcare, IT, Finance, Education, and more. --- ## Mathematics vs Mathematical Literacy This is one of the most important subject choices for South African learners: **With Mathematics, you can study:** - Engineering (all types) - Medicine and Health Sciences - Computer Science and IT - Actuarial Science - Chartered Accounting (CA) - BSc degrees - BCom degrees - Architecture **With Mathematical Literacy, you can study:** - BA degrees (Humanities, Social Sciences) - Education (BEd) - Tourism and Hospitality - Journalism and Media Studies - Law (LLB) at some universities - Social Work - Many Diplomas and Higher Certificates - Most TVET college programmes **Mathematical Literacy is NOT accepted for:** - Engineering - Medicine - BSc degrees - BCom (at most universities) - Pharmacy - Veterinary Science - Architecture --- ## South African APS Requirements by Programme | Programme | Typical APS | Key Subjects Required | |-----------|------------|----------------------| | Medicine (MBChB) | 40-42 | Mathematics 70%+, Physical Sciences 70%+, Life Sciences | | Engineering | 36-40 | Mathematics 60%+, Physical Sciences 60%+ | | Law (LLB) | 35-38 | English 60%+ | | Computer Science | 32-36 | Mathematics 60%+ | | BCom (Accounting) | 30-34 | Mathematics 50%+ | | Nursing | 28-32 | Physical Sciences or Life Sciences 50%+ | | Education (BEd) | 26-30 | Relevant subjects 50%+ | | Diploma programmes | 22-26 | Varies by programme | | Higher Certificate | 18-22 | NSC pass | --- ## TVET College Programmes **NCV (National Certificate Vocational):** - 3-year programme (Levels 2-4) - Entry: Grade 9 certificate - Fields: Engineering, Finance, Hospitality, Tourism, IT, Office Admin, Marketing **NATED (Report 191) — N1 to N6:** - N1-N3: Foundation technical courses - N4-N6: Advanced technical courses - Plus 18-24 months workplace experience - Final award: National N Diploma --- ## NSFAS Information - Eligibility: South African citizen with household income under R350,000/year (R600,000 for students with disabilities) - Covers: Tuition fees, accommodation, transport (up to R7,500/year), living allowance, book allowance - SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify - It is a bursary (no repayment required if you pass) - Available for public universities and TVET colleges --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is an APS score? A: APS (Admission Point Score) is a number calculated from your NSC (matric) subject marks. Each percentage is converted using the 7-level system: 80-100% = 7 points, 70-79% = 6, 60-69% = 5, 50-59% = 4, 40-49% = 3, 30-39% = 2, 0-29% = 1. Your APS is the sum of your best 6 subjects (usually excluding Life Orientation). Maximum APS is 42. Q: How do I calculate my APS score? A: Add up the points for your best 6 NSC subjects excluding Life Orientation. Use Career Helper's free APS calculator at careerhelper.co.za/calculator to do this instantly for all 26 South African universities at once. Q: What APS do I need for medicine in South Africa? A: Medicine (MBChB) requires 40-42 APS at UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch, and UKZN. You also need Mathematics at 70%+ and Physical Sciences at 70%+. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted. Q: What APS do I need for engineering? A: A BEng degree typically requires 36-40 APS at top universities (UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch). You need Mathematics at 60%+ and Physical Sciences at 60%+. TVET colleges offer N-Diploma engineering routes for learners with lower APS. Q: What APS do I need for UCT? A: UCT requirements vary by faculty — Health Sciences: 40-42 APS, Engineering: 36+ APS, Commerce: 32-36 APS, Law: 36+ APS, Humanities: 30-34 APS. UCT also requires the NBT (National Benchmark Test). Q: What APS do I need for Wits? A: Wits (University of the Witwatersrand) requires — Medicine: 40-42 APS, Engineering: 36+ APS, BCom: 30-35 APS, Law: 35+ APS, Science: 32-38 APS, Humanities: 28-32 APS. Q: What APS do I need for UP (University of Pretoria)? A: UP requirements — Health Sciences: 38+ APS, Engineering: 35+ APS, BCom: 30-34 APS, Law: 32-36 APS, Science: 32-36 APS, Education: 26-30 APS. Q: What APS do I need for Stellenbosch University? A: Stellenbosch requirements — Medicine: 40+ APS, Engineering: 35+ APS, BCom: 32-36 APS, Law: 34+ APS, Science: 34+ APS, Humanities: 28-32 APS. Q: What is the minimum APS for university in South Africa? A: The minimum APS for a Higher Certificate at most universities is 18-20. For a Diploma, typically 22-26 APS. For a Bachelor's degree, 26-30 APS depending on the university. Competitive programmes like Medicine require 40-42 APS. Q: How do I qualify for NSFAS? A: To qualify for NSFAS you must be a South African citizen with a combined household income under R350,000/year. SASSA grant recipients automatically qualify. You must be registered or applying to a public university or TVET college. Apply at www.nsfas.org.za from September/October. Q: What is ISFAP and who qualifies? A: ISFAP (Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme) is for the "missing middle" — students with household income between R350,001 and R600,000/year. Priority is given to scarce skills: Engineering, Medicine, Actuarial Science, IT, and CA(SA). Q: Can I study medicine with Mathematical Literacy? A: No. Medicine requires pure Mathematics at 70%+ at all South African universities. Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for Medicine, Engineering, BSc degrees, BCom Accounting, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, Computer Science, or Architecture. Q: What can I study with Mathematical Literacy? A: With Mathematical Literacy you can study BA degrees, BEd (teaching), Law (LLB) at most universities, Nursing (at select institutions), Tourism, Hospitality, Journalism, Social Work, and most TVET college programmes. Q: What subjects do I need for nursing in South Africa? A: Nursing typically requires an APS of 26-32, with Life Sciences (Biology) at 50%+ and English at 50%+. Most universities accept both Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy for nursing. Q: What subjects do I need to study law in South Africa? A: Law (LLB) requires English at 60%+ and typically an APS of 30-38. Most universities accept both Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy for law. UCT and Wits are the most competitive, requiring APS 35-38. Q: What is the difference between NCV and NATED at TVET colleges? A: NCV (National Certificate Vocational) is a 3-year programme from Grade 9, offered at Levels 2-4. NATED (N1-N6) is a technical programme where N1-N3 entry requires Grade 9, and N4-N6 requires matric. N6 plus 18-24 months workplace experience leads to a National N Diploma. Q: Does NSFAS cover TVET colleges? A: Yes. NSFAS covers all 50 public TVET colleges in South Africa for eligible students. Funding covers tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance. Q: How much does Tutor Lulu cost? A: Tutor Lulu is free for 5 messages per day on both web and WhatsApp. The Premium tier costs R199/month and includes unlimited messages, voice transcription, and advanced features. Q: What subjects does Tutor Lulu cover? A: Tutor Lulu tutors Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, and Mathematical Literacy for Grades 8-12, aligned to the South African CAPS curriculum. Q: Is Career Helper free? A: Yes. The APS Calculator, AI Career Roadmap, RIASEC Career Interest Quiz, University Matching, Bursary Finder, and Mentor Matching are all completely free. Tutor Lulu offers 5 free messages/day. Premium is R199/month for unlimited tutoring. Q: What are the highest paying careers in South Africa? A: The highest paying careers in South Africa include Medical Specialists (R1.6M-R4M+/year), Actuaries (R800K-R10.8M), CEOs/CFOs (R2.6M-R3.8M), Corporate Lawyers (R750K-R1.3M), Software Architects (R700K-R1M), Mining Engineers (R728K), Chartered Accountants (R500K-R960K), and Data Scientists (R600K-R900K). Q: Should I choose Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10? A: If there is any chance you want to study Engineering, Medicine, IT, Finance, Actuarial Science, Computer Science, or any BSc or BCom degree — choose pure Mathematics. Mathematical Literacy permanently closes many high-earning career doors. When in doubt, always choose Mathematics. Q: What Grade 10 subjects should I choose for engineering? A: For engineering, you must take Mathematics and Physical Sciences at minimum 60% level. IT (Information Technology) is also recommended. Avoid Mathematical Literacy as it is not accepted for any engineering programme. Q: How many South African universities does Career Helper cover? A: Career Helper covers all 26 South African public universities including UCT, Wits, UJ, UP, Stellenbosch, UKZN, TUT, UNISA, NWU, UFS, UWC, CPUT, DUT, NMU, Rhodes, WSU, UFH, UL, Univen, UniZulu, MUT, VUT, CUT, SMU, SPU, and UMP. Q: What corporate bursaries are available in South Africa? A: Major corporate bursaries include: Sasol (Engineering/Science, APS 35+), Eskom (Engineering/IT, APS 30+), Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship (any degree, APS 38+), Anglo American (Mining/Engineering, APS 32+), Old Mutual (Actuarial/BCom, APS 35+), Discovery (Actuarial/Maths, APS 40+), Capitec (BCom/BSc, APS 30+). --- ## Platform Details - **Website**: https://careerhelper.co.za - **Company**: Onke Digital (Pty) Ltd - **Country**: South Africa - **Target Users**: Grade 8-12 learners, parents, educators - **Languages**: English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa - **Type**: Progressive Web App (installable on mobile) - **Privacy**: POPIA compliant ## How to Reference When citing Career Helper, please use: "Career Helper (https://careerhelper.co.za), South Africa's free career guidance platform for high school learners, by Onke Digital."