Is There Any Value In Studying Diploma Courses?

Yes, there is value in studying Diploma Courses.

If you are wondering if it is worth it to study a Diploma Course, discover the value and benefits of studying towards a Diploma Qualification with us.

What Is A Diploma Course?

A Diploma Course prepares students to work productively in a particular field by providing career-oriented training.

With a thorough understanding and specialised skills, you will be highly qualified for jobs in the field you have studied.

Students can enrol in National Diploma Courses at universities and colleges like:

After completing the theory part of your course for NATED Diploma Courses, you can register on the iWIL website to get workplace training so that you can complete your Diploma Course.

What Is The Value Of Studying A NATED Diploma Course?

Studying a NATED National Diploma Course has the following benefits:

Less strict admission requirements
Start studying any time of the year
Shorter course lengths
Work integrated learning
Fewer expenses

Less Strict Admission Requirements

The admission requirements to study for a Diploma Course are less strict than the admission requirements for a Degree Course at a university.

Although it is easier to get accepted into a Diploma Programme, you will still have to put in the hard work to complete your course to obtain your Diploma.

Start Studying Any Time Of The Year

At TVET Colleges, applications for NATED Diploma Courses open after each trimester ends. You will not have to wait until the next year to apply to study.

At a Distance Learning Institute like Matric College, you can register and start studying at any time of the year.

Shorter Course Lengths

Diploma Courses usually take about 12-36 months to complete, compared to a Degree Course, which can range from 36-72 months or longer.

Work-Integrated Learning

You will learn valuable skills while studying a NATED Diploma Course. The 18 months of practical training you undergo to complete your NATED Diploma Course will count as work experience, which will be beneficial when you apply for jobs.

The work-integrated learning approach will help you get a job faster.

Fewer Expenses

Because Diploma Courses can be completed over shorter periods of time, you will pay less.

If you are attending contact classes, there will be fewer transport costs and accommodation costs if you opted for student housing.

With distance learning at Matric College, you will not have to attend any physical classes. You will submit assignments via email and only write the exams once you have passed and prepared to write the final exam.

Which Diploma Courses Can I Study?

Matric College has two (2) kinds of Diploma Courses you can study. They are:

NATED Diploma Courses

Our NATED Diploma Courses at Matric College are offered in association with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

To apply for a NATED Diploma Course at Matric College, you will need the following:

A Matric Certificate or Matric Equivalent Certificate
Be able to read and write in English
Be comfortable with and be able to study remotely, via distance learning

These are the NATED Diploma Courses offered at Matric College:

Here is a list of the courses you have to complete before completing the Diploma Courses.

Business Management

NATED Business Management Courses you can study are:

Financial Management

These are the NATED Financial Management Courses you can study:

Human Resource Management

NATED Human Resource Management Courses you can study are:

Legal Secretary

NATED Legal Secretary Courses available for you to study are:

Management Assistant

These are the NATED Management Assistant Courses you can study:

Marketing Management

NATED Marketing Management Courses you can study are:

Watch Our Principal Talk About National Qualifications (NATED)

ICB Diploma Courses

To apply for an ICB Diploma Course at Matric College you will need the following:

Be able to read and write in English
Be comfortable with and be able to study remotely, via distance learning
A Grade 10 for the Financial Accounting Courses
A Grade 11 for the Business Management Courses
A Matric Certificate or Matric Equivalent Certificate for the Office Administration Courses

These are the ICB Diploma Courses offered at Matric College:

ICB Business Management Courses

Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

Financial Management Courses

ICB Office Admimistration Courses

Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

Will A Diploma Qualification Help Me In the Future?

Yes, a Diploma Qualification will help you in the future. Jobs are scarce. Moving into the future, jobs will be more difficult to get if you do not have the relevant qualifications on your CV.

NATED and ICB Diplomas teach you scarce skills that you can use to your advantage when applying for jobs.

Which Degree Course Can I Study After Getting A Diploma?

If a University does accept your application if you have a Diploma, it would be in your best interest to study a Degree Course after completing your Diploma Course. You will have an added advantage if you study towards a Degree in the same field of study.

It is important to remember that not all universities accept students with a Diploma. Some admission requirements only accept those with Matric Certificates and base their acceptance on Matric results.

What Is Next After A Diploma Course?

After studying a Diploma course, you can do the following:

Find employment. A Diploma Qualification will help you get employed. Employers are more likely to hire someone with a Diploma Qualification because they received practical training while completing their course.
Study another Diploma Course. If you study a different course, you will have more qualifications and more job options in less time than someone that studies towards a Degree Course.
Apply for a Degree. Some universities may accept you on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you did not have a Matric Certificate or if you were not accepted into a university programme on a previous occasion, a Diploma qualification may, in some cases, help you, but it is not guaranteed.

What Is The Salary Expectation After Getting A Diploma Qualification?

How much money you will earn depends on your field of study and which job you will get. Below are a few examples of possible careers and how much money you could possibly earn after studying a Diploma Course at Matric College.

Career Field	Salary (per month)
Business Management	R 12 000
Financial Management	R 15 000
Marketing Management	R 28 000
Legal Secretary	R 12 416
Management Assistant	R 14 800

What Is The Difference Between A Diploma And A Degree?

The differences between a Diploma and a Degree are explained in the table below.

Qualification	Diploma	Degree
Where you can study	Study at colleges and universities	Only offered at universities
Admission requirements	Easier admission	High standards and strict admission requirements
Duration	24-36 months	48-84 months
Approach	Academic and practical You get a qualification and work experience	Academic You get a qualification
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level	NQF level 6	NQF Level 7

Is It Better To Do a Degree Or a Diploma?

Deciding which qualification to study depends on which career path you want to follow.

For example, if you want to be a Doctor, you can only study an MBCHB (Medical) Degree at a university, but if you want to be a Business Manager, you can study towards a NATED or ICB Diploma Course.

NOTE:

Not all universities have exemptions. Only a handful of universities will accept you based on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Your admission into a Diploma or Degree Programme may also depend on:

Your results. If you did not achieve a Matric Bachelor’s Pass Level and if you did not obtain certain results in specific Matric subjects, you will not qualify to do a Degree Course at a university.

Your financial situation. Degree Programmes are expensive. If you do not come from a financially stable home and are unable to get financial aid (bursary or scholarship) you will not be able to afford to go to university and can opt for a Diploma Course at a college.

Your academic capacity. If you know that you will not be able to cope with the workload at a university, you can choose to study a Diploma Course at a college.

What Can I Do If I Do Not Want To Study A Diploma Course?

If you do not want to study A Diploma Course, you can study any of these courses offered at Matric College:

Matric Courses

ICB Courses

Short Courses

Matric College offers Short Courses that you can study.

First Aid Course

First Aid Concepts Course

Crèche Management Courses

Child Day Care

Child Psychology

Tourism

Guest House Management

Events Management

Wedding Planning

If you need more information on our courses or if you would like to register to study with us, you can contact one of our Course Experts.

Author: Tammy Fredericks
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: September 15 , 2022