Subject Selection

WSCW Subject Selection for 2027

Please check Career Central website under "JobDatabase" then "How to Enter Job" and "Secondary Education"

All About University in NZ Aotearoa - What to Study and Where?

Trades - Apprenticeships- (many including building, plumbing, electrical)

Mathematics, English, a Science recommended at L1 and 2

Physics Level 2 for Electrical apprenticeship

Level 3 Pre-apprenticeship courses - 4 years at Secondary School + 12 credits at Level 1 in each of 2 subjects.

Universities Recommended Subject guides

Year 13 Checklist - If going to University. Rank Score & University Entrance explained here

Rank Scores and Entry Requirements for UOA degrees

Required and Recommended subjects for Otago degrees

WSCW General Guide to Choosing Subjects

Six Steps to Making Your Decision

Step 1: Don’t rush. Take time to get it right; changing subjects later can be difficult.

Step 2: Know your options. Check Year Level Course Books under Teaching and Learning on the WSCW website. Check the assessment formats. Talk to subject teachers and Heads of Houses.

Step 3: Assess your abilities and interests. Focus on your strengths like writing, numbers, or practical skills. Identify subjects you genuinely enjoy or dislike. Hard work and perseverance are required to master a subject.

Step 4: Look at future demand. Check immigration skill shortage lists. Consider the impact of technology and the growing need for transferable soft skills.

Step 5: Diversify your research. Look at services websites such as Police, Fire, and Defence Force, read newspaper or online articles, and talk to people with industry, training, or work experience.

Step 6: Keep options open. If unsure, keep your subject base broad. Do as well as you can in Maths and English as they are essential for most careers, and think carefully before dropping any science.

Year 11 and 12 Decision Checklist

What are your achievement expectations for Year 11 and 12?
Do you know what you need for NCEA Levels 2, 3, and University Entrance?
Have you considered work experience options through Gateway?
Are you intending to return for Year 13?
What job or training ideas do you currently have, and do you know their prerequisites?
Have you discussed these choices with parents, whānau, and teachers?

Specific Course Prerequisites and Requirements

Trades and Apprenticeships

General Trades: Maths, English, and a Science recommended at Levels 1 and 2.
Electrical Apprenticeship: Requires Physics at Level 2.
Level 3 Pre-apprenticeship: Requires 4 years at Secondary School plus 12 credits at Level 1 in each of 2 subjects.

Specific Degree Programmes

Medicine: Pathways have recently been updated. Recommended Year 12 - all 3 sciences plus Maths. Year 13 requires some senior sciences, depending on UOA Science Major (See Pg 7 here). Note that the UoA Bachelor of Health Science pathway does not require Physics. Otago take all 3 sciences to L3. Waikato has a post-graduate pathway with rural focus from 2027.
Engineering: Level 2 requires Advanced Maths plus Physics. Level 3 requires Calculus plus Physics.
Veterinary Science at Massey: Level 3 - 14 to 20 credits in Chemistry and Biology. Level 2 - 14 to 20 credits in Maths and/or Physics. This requires 40 hours of vet clinic work experience before the pre-selection semester.
Bachelor of Health Science at UoA: Check the website for recently changed pre-medicine pathways.
Primary Teaching: Year 12 Maths is strongly recommended as a Level 2 entry test is now required.

Career Tools and University Guides

Career Central: Check JobDatabase, then How to Enter Job and Secondary Education. Take the Future Assessment Bullseye quiz, click SEE MORE, and Explore Jobs by Pathway.
General Info and Pathways: Research on Tahatū and find where school subjects can take you via the online tools.
University Subject Guides and NCEA Entry/Rank Scores: Review the online guides for AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Lincoln, Canterbury plus the 2027 Prospectus, Otago, and Auckland, noting the science changes from 2027 at UoA.
Year 13: Double-check your final requirements for University Entrance to ensure you have chosen university-approved subjects.

Important Reminders

Separate your subject choices from your friends’ choices; it is your future to consider.
If you need more help, make an appointment to talk with your school Career Advisor.

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