Grade 10 Subjects for a Doctor – Medical Studies

Grade 10 Subjects for a Doctor – Medical Studies

When you want to study towards becoming a doctor, you will need to make the right subject choice in your grade 10. The subjects selected from grade 10, are the very same subjects that you will need to pass in grade 12, three years later. If you really want to become a doctor, you will need to be beyond average when it comes to Maths and Physical Science. If you don’t get distinctions in those subjects, your chances of becoming a doctor are extremely slim.

Grade 10 Subjects for a Doctor

So, in grade 10, you should choose the following subjects if you want to study towards becoming a Medical Doctor in South Africa:

1. Mathematics (Core)

Mathematics grade 10 is one of the core subjects for medical studies. This is the foundation for subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Statistics, which you will be studying in your medical degree.

2. Physical Sciences

• Physical Sciences grade 10 subject (which consists of Physics and Chemistry) is important for understanding the scientific principles in medical studies field, like human biology, chemistry, and biophysics.

3. Life Sciences

Life Sciences grade 10 (which was known as Biology before 2008, covers very important topics like human biology, genetics, and microbiology, which is the basis of medical studies.

4. English (Home Language or First Additional Language)

• English Grade 10 subject is important for obvious reasons in the medical field, such as: communicating with the clients and understanding medical terminologies, systems, and technologies.

5. Other Compulsory Subjects

You can choose any other grade 10 subject that you are interested in or good at (e.g., Geography, History, Business Studies). I would advice students to choose the additional grade 10 subjects that they are very good at. This will significantly boost your overall final marks.

6. Life Orientation

Life Orientation Grade 10 -12 subject will not be considered for any medical studies as part of the requirements. However, you still need to pass it.

Below is an example of a top student’s final results who will have a good chance of getting accepted into a Medical Degree at a South African university like Wits, and UCT. The minimum requirements are:

• English Home Language or First Additional Language: Level 5 (60-69%)
• Mathematics: Level 5 (60-69%)
• Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences: Level 5 (60-69%)

Don’t get fooled by the minimum requirements of 60 -69%, which look attainable. Medical schools will prioritise distinction students with 80% and above.

Example of a Top Student’s Grade 12 Final Results, who will be accepted for medical studies in any South African University:

Subject	Percentage	APS Score
English Home Language	78%	6
Mathematics	80%	7
Physical Sciences	84%	7
Life Sciences	88%	7
Afrikaans First Additional Language	70%	6
Geography	76%	6

Total APS Score: 6 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 6 + 6 = 39