Advantages Of Obtaining A Bachelor’s Degree Pass

There are many advantages to achieving a Bachelor’s Degree Pass at the end of Matric, such as:

More opportunities to further your studies. There are options to further your studies no matter your pass level, but achieving a Bachelor’s Degree pass will give the most and the best options.
Better job opportunities. The more qualified you are, the more likely you are to be hired. So completing your Matric is a step towards being hired even before you begin to further your studies.
More financial stability. The higher your qualifications, the less likely you are to lose your job over someone who has fewer or lower qualifications than you. Achieving a Bachelor’s Degree pass is the highest pass and will allow you to continue to get even better qualifications after Matric.

What Can I Do With A Bachelor’s Degree Pass?

There are many things you can do with a Bachelor’s Degree pass, such as:

Apply to university to study for a Bachelor’s Degree Course
Apply to jobs

You can begin by applying to study at a university towards a Bachelor’s Degree Course. If you get accepted, you are well on your way to beginning your career. Furthering your studies with a Bachelor’s Degree Course will give you more job opportunities and better financial stability as a result.

Can You Get A Bachelor’s Degree Pass If You Fail One Subject?

Yes, you can still get a Bachelor’s Degree pass if you fail one subject, except for your Home Language subject. You will still achieve a Bachelor’s pass, as long as you meet the rest of the subject requirements, and pass your Home Language subject.

What Are The Pass Requirements For A Bachelor's Degree Pass Level?

The requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree pass are:

40% or above for your Home Language subject
50% or above for four subjects
30% or above for two other subjects

This is the highest passing level, and the most difficult passing level to achieve. There are four passing levels, each with their own requirements:

Pass Level	Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree pass	40% or above for your Home Language subject 50% or above for four subjects 30% or above for two other subjects
Diploma pass	40% or above for your Home Language subject 40% or above for four other subjects 30% or above for two other subjects
Higher Certificate pass	40% or above for your Home Language subject 40% or above for two other subjects 30% or above for four other subjects
National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass/Matric pass	40% or above for your Home Language subject 40% or above for two other subjects 30% or above for the remaining subjects You can fail one subject

Note that these are only the minimum requirements, and that achieving these requirements does not guarantee you entry into any university courses.

The minimum requirements for the Matric pass are also the minimum requirements to pass Matric. If you do not meet the requirements for a Matric pass, you will not pass Matric.

How Many Points Is A Bachelor's Degree Pass?

The APS requirement for a Bachelor’s Degree pass is 23. Each passing level has its own APS requirements as well. The APS requirements for each passing level are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degree pass – 23
Diploma pass – 19
Higher Certificate pass – 15
NSC pass/Matric pass – 14

How Are Matric Points Calculated?

Matric points are calculated using your Matric final marks. Each percentage bracket is allocated a number of points. You can calculate your own APS by finding which percentage bracket your marks fall under, seeing how many points that bracket is allocated, and add up your points.

Remember that Life Orientation does not count for your APS. You can calculate your APS online, but remember to add your Life Orientation marks in the single point bracket, no matter what your actual marks were.

The point allocation is as follows:

Percentage Bracket	Point Allocation
80% – 100%	7
70% – 79%	6
60 % – 69%	5
50% – 59%	4
40% – 49%	3
30% – 39%	2
0% – 29%	1

What Subjects Count For APS?

The subjects that count for your APS are as follows:

Accounting	Agricultural Management Practices
Agricultural Sciences	Agricultural Technology
Business Studies	Civil Technology
Computer Applications Technology	Consumer Studies
Dance Studies	Dramatic Arts
Economics	Electrical Technology
Engineering Graphics and Design	Geography
History	Hospitality Studies
Information Technology	Life Sciences
Mathematics	Mathematical Literacy
Mechanical Technology	Music
Physical Sciences	Religion studies
Tourism	Visual Arts

Your Home Language subject, First Additional Language subject, and maths subject will also count for your APS.

What Course Can I Study Without Matric?

There are many study options available to further your studies without getting your Matric, such as:

ICB courses
Short courses

ICB Courses

There are two ICB courses you can choose to study without Matric:

Business Management
Financial Accounting
Office Administration

Each of these courses goes up to the Diploma level. All of these courses are accredited by ICB (the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations). This means that they are recognised as formal qualifications.

These qualifications are recognised worldwide, but they are particularly highly regarded in South Africa. This is because these courses teach scarce skills.

The ICB Business Management programme requires that you have Grade 11 to apply. The ICB Financial Accounting programme requires that you have Grade 10 to apply. The ICB Office Administration programme requires that you have Matric or Matric Equivalent qualification to apply.

The ICB Business Management programme first level and the ICB Financial Accounting programme second level are each a Matric Equivalent qualification. This means you could study either of these qualifications, and then use that to apply for the ICB Office Administration programme.

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

There are many places you can study ICB courses. Some reputable distance learning colleges that offer these ICB courses are:

Short Courses

There are also many short courses offered at four of the above colleges.

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

What Have We Learned?

There are many study opportunities available if you achieve a Bachelor’s Degree pass
You can still get a Bachelor’s Degree pass even if you fail one subject, as long as it is not your Home Language subject
A Bachelor’s Degree pass has an APS requirement of 23
Life Orientation does not count for your APS
There are also still study opportunities available even if you do not have your Matric

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 6, 2022