§02 · CAREER PROFILES
12 careers. One discipline. Your choice.
Every career below requires strong Grade 10–12 mathematics as its foundation. The difference is in depth and direction. Filter by sector to find your path.
Finance
Tech
Engineering
Data & AI
Actuarial
Government
Academia
§03 · SALARY MATRIX
What maths-based careers actually pay in South Africa.
Each bar shows the salary range from entry level to senior. Sorted by earning potential. Every career on this list requires strong mathematics.
Career
R0R875KR1.75MR2.625MR3.5M
Math depthFinance
Quantitative Trader
Postgrad
Actuarial
Actuary
Postgrad
Finance
Quantitative Analyst
Postgrad
Finance
Financial Engineer
Postgrad
Tech
Machine Learning Engineer
Postgrad
Tech
Cryptography Specialist
Postgrad
Engineering
Aerospace Modelling Specialist
Postgrad
Data & AI
Data Scientist
Degree
Tech
Software Engineer
Gr12
Finance
Risk Analyst
Gr12
Academia
Computational Scientist
Postgrad
Government
Statistician
Gr12
Finance
Tech
Engineering
Data & AI
Actuarial
Government
Academia
Salaries in ZAR thousands per year · 2026 market data§04 · BURSARY PIPELINE
Corporations will pay for your degree. If you qualify.
South African corporations spend millions every year funding mathematics and engineering degrees — and they cannot fill the seats. Your Grade 12 results are the entry criteria. Here are the doors they open.
ABSA
Up to R80K/yr
Degrees: BSc Mathematics, BSc Actuarial Science
Application window: April–June
Standard Bank STEM
Up to R90K/yr
Degrees: BSc Mathematics & Computer Science, BSc Applied Mathematics
Application window: March–May
Eskom
Full tuition + stipend
Degrees: BEng, BSc Applied Mathematics, BSc Physics
Application window: February–April
MTN Bursary Trust
Up to R70K/yr
Degrees: BSc Mathematics & Computer Science, BCom
Application window: May–July
Sasol
Full cost of study
Degrees: BSc Applied Mathematics, BSc Chemistry, BEng Chemical
Application window: March–June
Thales SA
Up to R120K/yr
Degrees: BEng Aeronautical, BSc Applied Mathematics, BSc Physics
Application window: April–August
§05 · QUALIFICATION MAP
Every CAPS topic is a door. Here is what it opens.
Grade 10
Key topics
Algebra & EquationsFunctions & GraphsFinancial MathsTrigonometry
Opens
Any mathematics-dependent degree qualification pathway
Essential building blocks for ALL careers listed
Grade 11
Key topics
Quadratic FunctionsTrigonometric IdentitiesEuclidean GeometryStatistics
Opens
BSc Statistics & Data Science
BSc Mathematics & Computer Science
BCom Quantitative Methods
Grade 12
Key topics
Differential CalculusIntegral CalculusNumber PatternsProbability
Opens
BSc Actuarial Science
BSc Applied Mathematics
BSc Computational & Applied Mathematics
BEng
University (Honours)
Key topics
Real AnalysisLinear AlgebraNumerical MethodsAbstract Algebra
Opens
Quantitative Analyst
Machine Learning Engineer
Financial Engineer
Research career
Postgraduate (Masters/PhD)
Key topics
Functional AnalysisStochastic CalculusCryptographyDifferential Geometry
Opens
Quantitative Trader
Cryptography Specialist
Academic Researcher
Global top-tier roles
Your Grade 12 results open or close these doors.
Know exactly where you stand.
The Continuum maps your current mastery to specific career pathways and tells you exactly which skills to develop and in what order — before the exam.