What Can I Study If I Do Not Have Matric?

There are many courses you can study without Matric, such as:

ICB courses
CIMA courses
Short courses
Matric programmes

Many options are presented for after Matric, but it can be difficult to find out what you can do if you do not have your Matric. So, what are your study options without Matric?

Study Options Without Matric

The above-mentioned courses are offered by our partnered colleges, and none require Matric to apply.

ICB Courses

You can study accredited courses offered by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) through reputable distance learning colleges. ICB courses are accredited by ICB and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

This means that these courses are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa. They are also highly regarded in South Africa, because they teach scarce skills. ICB courses go up to the Diploma level, and are recognised internationally as well as locally.

There are three ICB streams of study:

Business Management
Financial Accounting
Office Administration

ICB Business Management

National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	4
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	48736
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Grade 11 or Equivalent Certificate (Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate)
Subjects	Business Management 1 (BMT1) Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Business Literacy (BUSL)
Career Options	Junior Researcher Junior Analyst Sales Assistant

Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	Higher Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23619
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	ICB National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Subjects	Office and Legal Practice (OLPR) Business Management 2 (BMT2) Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR) Financial Statements (FNST) Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR)
Career Options	Senior Office Administrator General Office Manager Customer Service Manager

National Diploma: Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	20366
Credits	280
Entry Requirements	ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business Management 3 (BMT3) Financial Management and Control (FMCL) Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF) Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation, topic: Business Management) (RTAP)
Career Options	Accounting Officer Business Manager Business Advisor

ICB Financial Accounting

National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	3
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	58375
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Grade 10 or equivalent
Subjects	Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Payroll and Monthly SARS Returns (PMSR) Computerised Bookkeeping (CPBK) Business Literacy (BUSL)
Career Options	Junior Bookkeeper Accounts Clerk Payroll Clerk

Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification	FET Certificate
NQF Level	4
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	58376
Credits	130
Entry Requirements	ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Subjects	Financial Statements (FNST) Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Career Options	Senior Bookkeeper Junior Accountant Assistant Accountant

National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	36213
Credits	251
Entry Requirements	ICB Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping
Subjects	Income Tax Returns (ITRT) Business Law and Accounting Control (BLAC)
Career Options	Technical Financial Accountant Accounting Technician Tax Technician

National Diploma: Financial Accounting
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	20366
Credits	280
Entry Requirements	ICB National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
Subjects	Corporate Strategy (CRPS) Management Accounting Control Systems (MACS) Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF) Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation; topic: Financial Accounting) (RTAP)
Career Options	Financial Accountant Tax Practitioner Tax Consultant

ICB Office Administration

National Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23618
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Matric or Matric Equivalent Certificate (Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate or Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate)
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 1 (BOA1) Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB) Business Literacy (BUSL) Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR) Business Law and Administrative Practice (BLAP) Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Career Options	Junior Office Administrator Receptionist Office Assistant

Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification	Higher Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	23619
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 2 (BOA2) Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR) Economics (ECON)
Career Options	Senior Office Administrator General Office Manager Labour Relations Administrator

National Diploma: Office Administration
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number	35958
Credits	360
Entry Requirements	ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects	Business and Office Administration 3 (BOA3) Financial Statements (FNST) Management (MGMT)
Career Options	Office Manager Public Relations Manager Administrative Manager

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

Many distance learning colleges offer ICB courses. Some reputable ones are:

CIMA Courses

You can choose to study Business Accounting courses that are designed and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). These courses go up to the Degree level, and they are also recognised internationally.

There are four levels of study with CIMA:

Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level

Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Qualification	National Certificate
NQF Level	5
Accredited by	The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number	24418
Credits	120
Entry Requirements	Be 16 years or older Have had pure maths as a school subject Be able to read and write in English
Subjects	Fundamentals of Business Economics Fundamentals of Management Accounting Fundamentals of Financial Accounting Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law
Career Options	Business Manager Management Accountant Business Analyst

Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Qualification	National Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number	24406
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Subjects	Managing Finance in a Digital World Financial Reporting Management Accounting Operational Case Study Operational Gateway
Career Options	Accountant Bookkeeper Financial Manager

Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Qualification	Advanced Diploma
NQF Level	6
Accredited by	The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number	24406
Credits	240
Entry Requirements	Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Subjects	Managing Performance Advanced Financial Reporting Advanced Management Accounting Management Case Study Managerial Gateway
Career Options	Business Analyst Management Accountant Accounts Assistant

Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level
Qualification	Professional Qualification: Chartered Management Accountant
NQF Level	7
Accredited by	The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number	20400
Credits	390
Entry Requirements	Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Subjects	Strategic Management Financial Strategy Risk Management Strategic Case Study Strategic Gateway
Career Options	Debtors Clerk Business Manager Chief Financial Officer

Where Can I Study CIMA Courses?

Many distance learning colleges offer CIMA courses, such as:

Short Courses

The short courses offered at our partnered colleges allow you to learn the skills necessary to begin your career journey as efficiently as possible. These short courses are open-access, which means you just need to meet two entry requirements:

You must be over the age of 16
You must be able to understand, read and write in English

Each college offers a different variety of short course streams.

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

Matric Programmes

Matric programmes are an option available to those who do not have their Matric, or are not satisfied with their Matric. There are three Matric programmes you can choose:

Matric Rewrite – for those under 21 who failed Matric, or who passed but are unsatisfied with their results and would like to improve their results
Matric Upgrade – for those over 21 who would still like to improve their Matric results, whether they passed but are unsatisfied or if they failed
Adult Matric – for those over 21 who did not get to complete their high school education and write their Matric

Matric Rewrite

When doing a Matric Rewrite, you may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. You may not change your subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote for your final Matric exams.

There is no limit to the number of times you can rewrite your Matric. You can rewrite your Matric up to five years after your Matric year, as long as you are still under the age of 21.

Matric Upgrade

When doing a Matric Upgrade, you may upgrade a maximum of four subjects. However, you can also choose to change four subjects instead.

You can apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, but you must be over 21 to write the exams, because you will write the Adult Matric exams. There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. There is no age limit for a Matric Upgrade as long as you are over 21.

Adult Matric

After completing an Adult Matric, you will be awarded a Senior Certificate (Amended). This certificate functions the same way as a school Matric, or a National Senior Certificate.

Where Can I Study Matric Programmes?

There are many reputable colleges that offer Matric programmes through distance learning, such as:

Can I Study At UNISA Without Matric?

No, you cannot study at UNISA without Matric. UNISA is a university, and all universities require you to have your Matric (school Matric or Adult Matric) to be eligible to apply.

Can I Do My Matric At UNISA?

No, you cannot do your Matric at UNISA. UNISA is a university, and only offers tertiary-level education courses. UNISA does not offer any Matric programmes, as this is a secondary-level education qualification.

Can You Study Teaching Without Matric?

Yes, you can study Teaching without Matric. You can do this by studying an Education course at a TVET college. This only requires you to have Grade 9. However, you will then have to further your studies with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or a Bachelor of Education. A TVET course in Education will not qualify you to be a teacher.

Can You Study Nursing Without Matric?

Yes, you can study to be a Nurse by studying a health course at a TVET college. This course will equip you with the skills necessary to do nursing.

Can I Get NSFAS Without Matric?

Yes, you can, but only for specific courses. There are only two courses below tertiary level that NSFAS will fund:

ABET levels
National Certificate (Vocational) levels

Can I Do Matric At TVET College?

Yes, some TVET colleges do offer Matric programmes. Check with the TVET college you are applying to about which Matric programmes they offer.

Can You Do Matric In 3 Months?

No, you cannot do Matric in three months. Matric will take a minimum of one year to complete, and can take up to three years to complete. This depends on how you choose to distribute your six subjects.

You can choose to:

Take all six subjects in one year, and complete Matric in one year
Take three subjects per year for two years, and complete Matric in two years
Take two subjects per year for three years, and complete Matric in three years

Or, if you are rewriting your Matric, you can register for the rewrite in January/February and write the exams in May/June. You can complete your Matric in under six months this way.

Can I Do Matric Online?

Yes, you can study for your Matric online through distance learning. This also allows you to work to earn an income while you are furthering your education. However, note that you cannot write your exams online. Your exams must be written in a government-designated venue.

Is It Possible To Buy Your Matric Certificate?

No, you cannot buy your Matric Certificate. You are awarded your Matric Certificate by Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education. Umalusi has stated that participating in the buying and selling of Matric Certificates is a criminal offence.

However, if your Matric Certificate gets lost or damaged, you can pay to get a replacement certificate. You will pay R153.00 for a replacement certificate, which will take four to six weeks to arrive. You can pay an additional R55 for a copy of your Statement of Results to use in the meantime. This will be available to you immediately.

Note that the prices listed here are valid from 01 April 2022 until 31 March 2023. After this time they are subject to change.

What Have We Learned?

There are many study options available without Matric
There are options for you to get your Matric if you would like to
You cannot study at UNISA without Matric
You cannot do your Matric at UNISA
You can study teaching without Matric
You can study nursing without Matric
You can get NSFAS without Matric, but only for specific courses
You can do Matric at some TVET colleges
You cannot do Matric in three months
You can study for your Matric online, but you must write your exams in a government-designated venue
You cannot buy your Matric Certificate, but you can buy a replacement if yours gets lost or damaged

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 8, 2022