School subject selection guide
It can be hard to choose which subjects to study at school but it helps if you think about what job you might want – then you’re prepared for any further study. This guide shows helpful subjects to prepare you for our study areas.
If you're unsure about your subject choice, always check with your teachers and career advisors or contact one of our friendly liaison advisors.
| Programme area | Helpful subjects |
|---|---|
|
A |
|
|
Accounting |
Accounting, Economics, Computing/Digital Technologies, English, Statistics, Business Studies, Mathematics |
|
Apiculture/Bee Keeping |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Biology, English, Mathematics |
|
Arboriculture/Tree Surgery |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Biology, English, Mathematics |
|
Architecture |
Design, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Media Studies, Painting, Photography, Physics, Printmaking, Science, Technology |
|
Art |
Art, History of Art, Photography, Painting, Printmaking, Media Studies, Design, Metal Work, Woodwork, Computing/Digital Technologies, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Sculpture, Textiles |
|
Automotive Engineering |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication |
|
Avalanche and Snowsport Instruction^ |
Physical Education, Science, Health, Geography, Social Studies, English |
|
B |
|
|
Beauty Therapy |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Science |
|
Bike Mechanics^ |
Mathematics, Physics, English, Physical Education |
|
Brewing^ |
Chemistry, Mathematics |
|
Business/Applied Management |
Economics, Tourism, Media Studies, Computing/Digital Technologies, Accounting, Social Studies, English, Business Studies |
|
C |
|
|
Carpentry |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology |
|
Community Services |
Te Reo Māori, Social Studies, Health, History, English |
|
Construction Management/Quantity Surveying |
Mathematics, English, Physics, Science, Digital Technologies, Economics, Accounting, Statistics, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Technology |
|
Cookery |
Any subject is great, especially those that show that you have a proactive attitude and can work in a team |
|
Culinary Arts |
English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food-related subjects, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Technology, Visual Art/Photography |
|
D |
|
|
Design (Communication, Fashion and Product) |
Design, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Photography, Painting, Printmaking, Media Studies, Technology, Computing/Digital Technologies, History of Art, Sculpture, Textiles |
|
Digital Media and Photography |
Photography, Computing/Digital Technologies, Art, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Media Studies, Drama, Creative Writing |
|
E |
|
|
Electrical Trades |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication |
|
Engineering Technology (Civil, Mechanical and Electrical) |
Mathematics, Calculus, Algebra, Physics, Chemistry, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, English, Science, Technology New Zealand Diploma in Engineering essential subject: Mathematics (Level 2) Bachelor of Engineering Technology essential subject: Calculus and Physics (Level 3) |
|
F |
|
|
Farming^ |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Economics, Mathematics |
|
H |
|
|
Hairdressing |
English, Health, Science, Mathematics, Art |
|
Horticulture |
Agriculture and Horticulture, Science, Biology, English, Mathematics |
|
Hospitality - Food and Beverage Service |
Any subject is great, especially those that show that you have a proactive attitude and can work in a team |
|
Hospitality Management |
English-rich subjects*, Mathematics, Food related subjects, Business Studies |
|
I |
|
|
Information Technology |
Graphics/Design and Visual Communication, Computing/Digital Technologies, Physics, Statistics, Science, Mathematics, Calculus |
|
M |
|
|
Massage Therapy |
Biology, Chemistry, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo, English |
|
Mechanical Trades |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication |
|
Midwifery |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Statistics, Health, Te Reo, Social Studies, History, Geography Bachelor of Midwifery essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry and English/English-rich subjects (Level 3): Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art and Media Studies. |
|
N |
|
|
Nursing |
Biology, Chemistry, English, Physical Education, Health, Te Reo, Geography, History, Classics, History of Art, Media Studies, Religious Studies Bachelor of Nursing essential subjects: Biology/Chemistry and English/English-rich subject (Level 3): Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Media Studies, Religious Studies, Social Studies, Drama, Business studies, Economics and Health/PE where specific standards where written assessment is obvious. |
|
O |
|
|
Occupational Therapy |
Biology, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health, Te Reo, Statistics, English |
|
Outdoor Adventure^ |
Physical Education, Science, Health, Geography, Social Studies, English |
|
P |
|
|
Plumbing |
Mathematics, English, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Science, Technology, Graphics/Design and Visual Communication |
|
S |
|
|
Sport |
Physical Education, Science, Health, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Statistics, Social Studies, English |
|
Sports Turf Management/Groundskeeping^ |
Science, Agriculture and Horticulture, Engineering, Mathematics, English, Computing, Mechanics (Youth Guarantee or Trades Academy), Gateway, Unit 1153 Sports Turf Machinery and Equipment (Level 3) |
|
T |
|
|
Tourism |
Tourism, Geography, Media Studies, Languages, English, Social Studies |
|
V |
|
|
Veterinary Nursing/Animal Health |
Science, Biology, Health, Computing, English, Mathematics |
^Only offered in Central Otago.
*English-rich subjects include: Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Media Studies.
Approved subjects for degree entrance
A: Accounting, Agriculture and Horticulture
B: Biology, Business Studies
C: Calculus, Chemistry, Chinese, Classical Studies, Construction and Mechanical Technologies, Cook Islands Māori
D: Dance, Design, Design and Visual Communication, Digital Technologies, Drama
E: Earth and Space Science, Economics, Education for Sustainability, English
F: French
G: Geography, German
H: Health Education, History, History of Art, Home Economics
I: Indonesian
J: Japanese
K: Korean
L: Latin
M: Mathematics, Media Studies, Music Studies
P: Painting, Photography, Physical Education, Physics, Printmaking, Processing Technologies
R: Religious Studies
S: Samoan, Science, Sculpture, Spanish, Social Studies, Statistics
T: Technology, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira, Tongan
Important note
For full entry criteria, including the required number of NCEA credits for each qualification, please check each programme information sheet.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
