What Can I Study With A Higher Certificate Pass In Matric?

There are a wide range of courses you can study with a Higher Certificate pass, such as: 

  • Study NATED courses
  • Study ICB courses
  • Study CIMA courses
  • Study short courses
  • Improve your Matric

Many people make a big deal about a Bachelor’s Degree pass or even a Diploma pass, but not much is said about a Higher Certificate pass. So what can you do if you achieve a Higher Certificate pass at the end of Matric? 

What Can You Do With A Higher Certificate Pass?

If you achieve a Higher Certificate pass at the end of Matric, you have many options to choose from, such as: 

  • Apply for work
  • Further your studies at the Higher Certificate level
  • Study NATED courses
  • Study ICB courses
  • Study CIMA courses
  • Study short courses
  • Improve your Matric

Apply For Work

If you passed Matric with a Higher Certificate pass, you can apply to begin working at places that accept just a Matric Certificate. You can also use this to apply for internships, learnerships or apprenticeships. 

This will be an excellent chance for you to learn about the company you intern/apprentice at, and potentially be offered a position if you work well. 

Further Your Studies At The Higher Certificate Level

You can choose to apply to universities that offer Higher Certificate courses to further your education. Once you have successfully completed your Higher Certificate course, you can then choose to further your studies beyond the Higher Certificate level, or to apply for work using your Higher Certificate. 

Study NATED Courses

National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) courses are designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to help bridge the youth unemployment gap. 

These courses are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa. You can use a NATED qualification to apply for work or to further your studies. 

NATED courses go up to the Diploma level, and are offered in seven study streams: 

  • Business Management
  • Educare
  • Financial Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Legal Secretary
  • Management Assistant
  • Marketing Management

NATED Business Management

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66871

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) 

Subjects 

  • Management Communication N4
  • Introductory Accounting N4
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4
  • Computer Practice N4

Career Options

  • Assistant Manager
  • Sales Assistant 
  • Office Assistant

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66929

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Business Management National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5
  • Sales Management N5
  • Public Relations N5
  • Computer Practice N5

Career Options

  • Sales Person
  • Public Relations Assistant
  • Management Assistant

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66995

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Business Management National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N6
  • Sales Management N6
  • Cost and Management Accounting N5
  • Public Relations N6

Career Options

  • Team Leader
  • Workshop Manager
  • Marketing Coordinator

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67036

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Business Management National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Business Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Sales Consultant

NATED Educare

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66883

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Educare Didactics N4
  • Child Health N4
  • Education N4
  • Day Care Personnel Development N4

Career Options

  • Educare Practitioner
  • Playgroup Practitioner
  • Au Pair

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66971

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Educare National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Educare Didactics N5
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4
  • Educational Psychology N5
  • Daycare Communication N5

Career Options

  • Child Health and Nutrition Caretaker
  • Day Care Administrator
  • Day Care Manager

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67007

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Educare National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Educare Didactics N6
  • Daycare Management N6
  • Educational Psychology N6
  • Daycare Communication N6

Career Options

  • Day Care Manager
  • Early Childhood Development Teacher
  • Educare Teacher

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67050

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Educare National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Educare Facilitator
  • Nursery School Assistant Teacher
  • Nursery Teacher

NATED Financial Management

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66874

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Financial Accounting N4
  • Computerised Financial Systems N4
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4
  • Management Communication N4

Career Options

  • Accounts Clerk
  • Audit Assistant
  • Bookkeeper

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66954

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Financial Management National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Financial Accounting N5
  • Computerised Financial Systems N5
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5
  • Cost & Management Accounting N5

Career Options

  • Administrative Clerk
  • Loan Consultant
  • Sales Team Leader

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66998

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Financial Management National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Financial Accounting N6
  • Computerised Financial Systems N6
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N6
  • Cost & Management Accounting N6

Career Options

  • Financial Manager
  • Finance Controller
  • Audit Clerk

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67040

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Financial Management National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Assets Management Supervisor
  • Bank Teller
  • Finance Administrator

NATED Human Resource Management

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66873

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4
  • Personnel Management N4
  • Management Communication N4
  • Computer Practice N4

Career Options

  • Administrative Clerk
  • Human Resource Management Assistant
  • Skills Development Facilitator

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66953

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Human Resource Management National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Personnel Management N5
  • Personnel Training N5
  • Labour Relations N5
  • Computer Practice N5

Career Options

  • Billing Coordinator
  • Clients Relations Coordinator
  • Risk Administrator

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66997

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Human Resource Management National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Personnel Management N6
  • Personnel Training N6
  • Labour Relations N6
  • Computer Practice N6

Career Options

  • Human Resource Manager
  • Recruitment Manager
  • Benefits Manager 

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67039

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Human Resource Management National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Human Resources Consultant
  • Labour Relations Consultant
  • Employee Relations Consultant 

NATED Legal Secretary

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66883

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Office Practice N4
  • Communication N4
  • Information Processing N4
  • Mercantile Law N4

Career Options

  • Filing Clerk
  • Junior Conveyancing Secretary
  • Receptionist

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66959

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Legal Secretary National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Office Practice N5
  • Communication N5
  • Information Processing N5
  • Legal Practice N5

Career Options

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Junior Conveyancing Assistant 
  • Personal Assistant

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66880

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Legal Secretary National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Office Practice N6
  • Legal Practice N6
  • Information Processing N6
  • Mercantile Law N5

Career Options

  • Conveyancing Assistant 
  • Legal Clerk
  • Office Assistant

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67035

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Legal Secretary National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Junior Legal Secretary
  • Junior Litigation Secretary
  • Legal: Committee Secretary

NATED Management Assistant

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66876

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Communication N4
  • Office Practice N4
  • Information Processing N4
  • Computer Practice N4

Career Options

  • Administrative Clerk
  • Office Manager 
  • Receptionist 

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66956

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Management Assistant National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Communication N5
  • Office Practice N5
  • Information Processing N5
  • Computer Practice N5

Career Options

  • Personal Assistant
  • Private Secretary 
  • Typist

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67001

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Management Assistant National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Office Practice N6
  • Information Processing N6
  • Public Relations N5
  • Computer Practice N6

Career Options

  • Clerk
  • Management Assistant
  • Office Administrator

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67033

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Management Assistant National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Assistant Manager 
  • Data Capturer 
  • Executive Assistant 

NATED Marketing Management

National N4 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66872

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)

Subjects 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4
  • Marketing Management N4
  • Management Communication N4
  • Computer Practice N4

Career Options

  • Junior Marketing Writer
  • Marketing Sales Administrator
  • Sales Assistant

National N5 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66952

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Marketing Management National N4 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Entrepreneurship and Business Management N5
  • Marketing Management N5
  • Sales Management N5
  • Computer Practice N5

Career Options

  • Content Writer 
  • Marketing Assistant 
  • Sales Manager 

National N6 Certificate

Qualification

National Certificate

NQF Level

5

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

66996

Credits

60

Entry Requirements

Marketing Management National N5 Certificate

Subjects 

  • Marketing Management N6
  • Sales Management N6
  • Marketing Communication N6
  • Marketing Research N6

Career Options

  • Advertiser
  • Marketing Manager
  • Marketing Researcher

National N6 Diploma

Qualification

Diploma

NQF Level

6

Accredited by

QCTO & DHET

SAQA ID Number

67037

Credits

360

Entry Requirements

Marketing Management National N6 Certificate

Subjects 

This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience

Career Options

  • Brand Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Public Relations Consultant

Where Can I Study NATED Courses?

There are many reputable distance learning institutions that offer NATED courses, such as: 

Study ICB Courses

Courses designed by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) have been accredited by the ICB and QCTO. These courses teach scarce skills, which are highly regarded and in demand in South Africa. 

ICB courses go up to the Diploma level, and they are internationally recognised. There are three study streams available in ICB courses, all of which you can study without Matric: 

  • 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:

Study CIMA Courses

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants offers accredited courses in Business Accounting that go up to the Degree level. These courses are also internationally recognised, and you can apply to study these courses without Matric. 

The four CIMA course levels are: 

  • 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: 

Study Short Courses

Short courses aim to get you workplace-ready as efficiently as possible with the skills necessary for you to excel in your chosen career path. 

The courses offered at our partnered colleges are open-access, which means you only have to meet two requirements to be able to apply: 

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

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

Improve Your Matric

If you would like to improve your Matric results so that you can qualify to further your studies at the Higher Certificate level or higher, there are two options: 

  • Matric Rewrite – for those under the age of 21
  • Matric Upgrade – for those over the age of 21

Matric Rewrite

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

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

Matric Upgrade

You can do a Matric Upgrade any time after you have turned 21. You may apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, but you must be over the age of 21 to write the exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams to upgrade your Matric. 

You may upgrade a maximum of four subjects. You may also choose to change four subjects instead, if you would prefer. There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric.

Can You Go To University With A Higher Certificate Pass?

Yes, you can attend some universities with a Higher Certificate pass. However, you cannot attend all universities. You can only apply to universities that offer Higher Certificate courses,courses such as: 

  • Durban University of Technology (DUT)
  • University of Zululand (UZ)

Which Universities Accept Higher Certificate Pass?

Only universities that offer Higher Certificate courses will accept a Higher Certificate pass. Some examples of these universities are: 

  • Durban University of Technology (DUT)
  • University of Zululand (UZ)
  • University of South Africa (UNISA)
  • University of Cape Town (UCT)

What Level Is A Higher Certificate?

A Higher Certificate is an NQF level 5 qualification. This means it is one NQF level above Matric. There are 10 NQF levels, designed for educational institutions and potential employers to be able to easily identify the educational level of your qualifications: 

NQF Level

Educational Level

1

Grade 9

2

Grade 10

3

Grade 11

4

Matric

5

Higher Certificate

6

Diploma/Advanced Certificate

7

Bachelor’s Degree/Advanced Diploma

8

Honour’s Degree

9

Master’s Degree

10

Doctoral Degree

How Many Points Is A Higher Certificate Pass?

A Higher Certificate pass requires a minimum APS of 15. There are also subject requirements, which are as follows: 

  • 40% or above for your Home Language subject
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for three other subjects

You may fail one subject except for your Home Language subject and still qualify for a Higher Certificate pass. 

Is Higher Certificate A Fail?

No, a Higher Certificate pass level is not a fail. There are four passing levels, and a Higher Certificate pass is the third passing level. The four passing levels are as follows: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree pass
  • Diploma pass
  • Higher Certificate pass
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass/Matric pass

The minimum APS requirement for a Matric pass is 14, and the subject requirements are as follows: 

  • 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

This passing level is the minimum requirement to pass Matric. You cannot pass Matric if you do not meet the minimum requirements for a Matric pass.

Is Higher Certificate Funded By NSFAS?

Yes, as long as you are a South African citizen, and you study at a public South Africa university, you can qualify for funding from NSFAS. However, NSFAS does not fund studies done at any private institutions. 

How Long Does A Higher Certificate Take?

A Higher Certificate takes a minimum of one year in full-time study. However, it can take longer, for example if you study part-time. A Higher Certificate can take up to three years to complete. 

What Comes After A Higher Certificate?

Once you have successfully completed your Higher Certificate, you can apply for work, or you can apply to further your studies. Most universities will accept a Higher Certificate to allow you to apply to study for a Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree in the same area of study. 

What Have We Learned?

  • You can go to some universities with a Higher Certificate pass, but not all universities
  • There are many other study options available with a Higher Certificate pass
  • A Higher Certificate is an NQF level 5 qualification
  • There are 10 NQF levels
  • A Higher Certificate pass requires a minimum APS of 15
  • You can qualify for NSFAS funding to study for a Higher Certificate as long as you are a South African citizen studying at a public South African university
  • A Higher Certificate takes a minimum of one year to complete, and can take up to three years to complete
  • Once you have completed your Higher Certificate, you can apply for work or further your studies

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 7, 2022