The aim of this study was to determine the influences on adolescents' aspirations from a low-income community in Cape Town . A sequential mixed method exploratory design was used following two distinct phases . The qualitative phase comprised focus group interviews with 118 grade 12 learners attending a school in a low-income community (age range: 16-19 years) and focused on identifying factors influencing life aspirations . The quantitative phase with 191 adolescents (males = 54 .45 %, females = 45 .55 %); age range: 14-18 years) from the same community aimed to ascertain the influences of personal attributes on self-aspirations . Participants completed the Expectations/Aspirations measure, the New General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support . Qualitative data were thematically analysed . Quantitative data were analysed using multiple regression . The findings revealed that self-efficacy, self-esteem and social support were the most critical factors influencing adolescents' aspirations . Self-efficacy was a major determinant of life aspirations among the adolescents . Life skills programmes with youth from disadvantaged communities should seek to incorporate training aimed at developing adolescents' self-efficacy .