"We're Really on Our Own": 3 Degrees with the Best Employment Outcomes in South Africa Right Now

• A TikTok creator revealed the three degrees with the best employment outcomes in South Africa after the Department of Higher Education admitted it could not track this data
• Engineering, Computer Science and Health Sciences topped the list, with health sciences boasting an unemployment rate of under 10%
• South Africans online weighed in on the findings, with some questioning why certain fields were left off the list

A career advice creator on TikTok sparked a wide conversation after sharing a breakdown of which degrees give South African graduates the best shot at finding work. The video, posted by @harjot.ai on 29 September 2026, opened with a striking admission: the Department of Higher Education could not confirm which qualifications lead to unemployment. Rather than leave it there, the creator went looking for the numbers himself.

South Africa's overall unemployment rate currently sits at 33.6%, but for graduates that figure drops to 12.4%. That means holding a degree still cuts a person's unemployment risk by roughly two-thirds. However, the creator was quick to point out that not all qualifications deliver that benefit equally.

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Coming in at number three was Engineering. A 2026 report listed civil, structural and consulting engineers as critical skills shortages, with companies competing to hire graduates rather than the other way around. At number two, roles in Computer Science ranked among the best-paid roles in the country simply because there are not enough qualified people to fill them.

The number one spot went to Health Sciences, a choice the creator acknowledged might surprise some viewers. The sector records an unemployment rate below 10%, and healthcare demand does not soften when the economy slows down, making it one of the most stable career paths available.

The creator @harjot.ai closed with a direct message to anyone still deciding what to study: choose based on where the future is heading and who is currently hiring, not based on what sounds impressive over a family meal. Watch the full breakdown here:

Mzansi reacts to the degree rankings

South Africans had plenty to say in the comments:

@Mathular asked:

"I'm confused why Economist is not in the top 3 because they are the ones who calculate the unemployment etc."

@JForever wrote:

"There lies the problem. The fact that they can't even track this crucial info means that they don't even have a contingency plan for unemployment, and that they're making no effort to close the gap of employment. We're really on our own, fighting a system that the very people are trying to reverse to ease our challenges. Can't be shocked when the whole schooling system doesn't even align with tertiary education qualifications."

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@sunflower shared:

"My son has a PhD in engineering, immigrated to Canada. This country does not appreciate our youths' effort."

@Ashleigh Smith🇿🇦💜🟣 added:

"Psychology will guarantee unemployment."

Other Briefly News stories about career paths

• Tech creator Akhil (@africantechbro.ai) analysed official graduate placement data from major South African private institutions, including MANCOSA, Eduvos, STADIO, and Rosebank College.
• A viral social media video outlined three top tertiary fields offering the highest employability in Mzansi and abroad.
• A career analysis highlighted lucrative local industries where practical skills and certifications outweigh traditional university qualifications.

Source: Briefly News