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:

You must be over the age of 16
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