Diploma courses impart skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. Matric College offers Diploma courses that were designed by the Department of Higher and Tertiary Education (DHTE) and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). Here are the 11 Diploma courses that Matric College offers:
- Business Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Management Assistant NATED N6 National Diploma
- Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Financial Management: NATED N6 National Diploma
- Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma
- Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Business Management Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
What Is A Diploma Course?
Here are the characteristics of a Diploma course
- With a Diploma course, the academic emphasis is more on a practical approach to learning
- Diploma courses are offered on a full-time and/or part-time basis
- Diploma courses are generally offered over a three-year period
- Industry training can be anything from six months to 18 months
Which Is The Best Diploma Course?
All NATED Diploma courses and ICB Diploma courses are the best courses to study. All these Diploma courses are scarce skills courses. With scarce skills courses, your knowledge and skills are in demand. Your chances of being employed after completing your Diploma course is very high.
Which Diplomas Are In Demand?
All NATED and ICB courses are scarce skills courses. This means that all NATED and ICB Diploma courses are in demand. They offer the skills and knowledge that the job market is looking for.
What Are The Advantages Of A Diploma Course?
Here are the advantages of a Diploma course:
- Employers value skills
- You get in the job market quicker
- Diplomas are more affordable
- Flexible learning
Employers Value Skills
Employers value workplace skills more. Remember, with a Diploma course, emphasis is placed on a practical approach to learning. With most Diploma courses, there is a practical component. This increases your chances of securing a job.
You Get In The Job Market Quicker
Because a Diploma has a practical component, this means that you will enter the job market quicker than you already have employable skills. After you have been awarded your Diploma Qualification, you are job-ready. Your company will spend little to no resources in inducting you.
Diplomas Are More Affordable
A Diploma is more affordable to study. The lower cost of a Diploma can lead you to take on a new Diploma course. Each course you take means you will also be gaining new skills.
Flexible Learning
You can study a Diploma course by distance learning. This makes studying the course more flexible. Here are the other advantages of studying your Diploma course by distance learning:
- Cut on transport costs
- Set your own study timetable
- Work and learn at the same time
- Stay safe from COVID-19
Why Choose To Study Via Distance Learning
You will study all our courses through distance learning. Distance learning is a form of online learning. Here are the advantages of studying through distance learning:
- Flexibility
- Cut transport costs
- Study anywhere
- COVID-19 safe
- Earn and learn at the same time
Flexibility
There is flexibility in studying by distance learning. You plan your own study timetable. By studying through distance learning, you will never miss a class. You can study at your own pace in your own time.
Cut Transport Costs
With distance learning, there is no need to travel to classes. This way you get to cut on travel costs. In addition to cutting costs, you also save on time since there will be no need to travel. The time that you would have spent travelling can be used for studying.
Study Anywhere
Distance learning allows you to study anywhere you want, as you do not have to attend classes. You will, however, need internet access to be online. Remember, you also have your Matric College-issued study notes and textbooks that you can work from.
Covid-19 Safe
By studying through distance learning, you reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 as you will be studying at home. If you have a smartphone, there will be no need to leave your home to visit an internet cafe. You can access relevant study material through your phone.
Earn And Learn At The Same Time
With distance learning, you can earn and learn at the same time. You can work full or part-time while studying. The added benefit of this option is that you will be able to pay for your studies.
NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Diploma. NATED courses are a product of the Department of Higher Education and Training. They came about after the realisation that there is a skills gap in the South African job market. The skills gap resulted in the birth of NATED courses.
NATED courses build on each other. You will need to complete the N4, N5, N6 Certificates and 18 months of work experience before being awarded your N Diploma Qualification.
A NATED Diploma is a Diploma Qualification that is awarded under the NATED Programme. All courses that are studied under a NATED Programme are NATED courses. For example, in the NATED Human Resources Management Programme, the following are NATED courses:
NATED subjects are the subjects that you study under the NATED courses. For example, the following subjects are the NATED subjects that you study under the Management Assistant: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Office Practice N4
- Information Processing N4
- Introductory Information Processing N4
- Communication N4
A NATED Qualification aims to give the students theoretical knowledge and work experience. It will make your transition from a student to a worker easier. NATED courses, therefore, have an added advantage in that employer’s value employees who have been in the workplace before. Here are some of the advantages of a NATED Qualification:
- Learn while you earn
- A certificate is awarded at all levels
- Gateway to further studies
Learn While You Earn
With NATED courses, you can study part-time at Matric College and work at the same time. This means that you can study and pay for your tuition fees. If you happen to do work that is in line with what you are studying, you will also be gaining practical experience that is needed for you to be awarded your Diploma Qualification.
If you are working in an environment that is aligned with your studies, you will lessen your course duration by half.
A Certificate Is Awarded At All Levels
NATED courses have three levels, that is, N4, N5 and N6. A Certificate is awarded to students who successfully meet the requirements of each level.
This means that you are employable when you complete an N4, N5 or the N6 Certificate course. With 18 months of work experience, you will meet the practical component of your Diploma Qualification.
Gateway To Further Studies
A NATED Qualification may be your gateway to further studies. You can use your Diploma to get exemptions when you want to study a related course, for example, CIMA or other ICB courses.
To qualify for a NATED Diploma course, here are the requirements:
- Matric or Matric Equivalent Qualification
- Must be 16 years or older
- Be able to study by distance learning
- Must have completed the N4 National Certificate
- Must have completed the N5 National Certificate
- Must have completed the N6 National Certificate
A Matric Equivalent Qualification is a Qualification that is deemed to be equivalent to a Matric. The equivalence is rated on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF is administered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). To qualify for entry to a NATED Diploma course, here are the Matric Equivalent Qualifications that are acceptable:
Remember, that the Diploma Qualification is the practical component of a NATED Programme. However, bear in mind that the time you take will also depend on how fast you study. Here is the recommended duration of a NATED Programme:
| NATED LEVEL | RECOMMENDED DURATION |
| NATED N4 National Certificate Course | 6 – 12 months |
| NATED N5 National Certificate Course | 6 – 12 months |
| NATED N6 National Certificate Course | 6 – 12 months |
| Work Experience | 18 months |
A NATED Diploma has 360 credits. Here is a complete list of the credits of a NATED Programme:
| NATED LEVEL | CREDITS |
| NATED N4 National Certificate Course | 60 |
| NATED N5 National Certificate Course | 60 |
| NATED N6 National Certificate Course | 60 |
| Work Experience | 180 |
| NATED N6 National Diploma | 360 |
NQF levels are a way of measuring learning experiences that are similar. For example, Matric and Bookkeeping: ICB FET National Certificate, though different, are comparable as they are all on level 4 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF).
On the other hand, N levels are only specific to NATED courses. An NQF level 3 is not equivalent to N3.
Here are the NQF levels and their N level equivalent:
| NATED N LEVEL | NQF LEVEL |
| N1 | NQF level 2 |
| N2 | NQF level 3 |
| N3 | NQF level 4 |
| N4 | NQF level 5 |
| N5 | NQF level 5 |
| N6 | NQF level 5 |
| N6 National Diploma | NQF level 6 |
You must have scored at least 21 points for you to have achieved a Matric Diploma pass level. Here are the 4 levels of a Matric pass:
Bachelors Pass
A Bachelors pass means that you must have achieved at least:
- 40% in your home language subject
- 50% in four other High Credit subjects
- 30% in one other subject
Minimum APS based on these marks: 21
Diploma Pass
A Diploma pass means you must have scored at least:
- 40% in your home language subject
- 40% in four other High Credit subjects
- 30% in one other subject
Minimum APS based on these marks: 17
Higher Certificate Pass
To obtain a Higher Certificate pass you must have at least achieved:
- 40% in your home language subject
- 40% in two other subjects
- 30% in three other subjects
- You must have English or Afrikaans as a subject to achieve this qualification
Minimum APS based on these marks: 15
Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass
An SC(A) pass is the lowest certificate you can achieve and will mean you have passed at least:
- 40% in your home language subject
- 40% in two other subjects
- You can fail your first additional language subject but then you must score:
- 30% in the remaining subjects
- Fail one subject by a maximum of 20%
Minimum APS based on these marks: 13
The percentage mark that you get in every subject is given a point or score. The 0 – 100 percent mark is divided into 7 points, with 1 being the lowest point and 7 being the highest point. Universities and Colleges use this system to determine entry requirements to their courses. The table below is an Admission Point Score (APS) calculator.
APS Calculator
| Matric Subject Symbol / Mark Received In Exam | APS (Admission Point Score) |
| A (80% – 100%) | 7 |
| B (70% – 79%) | 6 |
| C (60% – 69%) | 5 |
| D (50% – 59%) | 4 |
| E (40% – 49%) | 3 |
| F (30% – 39%) | 2 |
| G (0% – 29%) | 1 |
You can register at Matric College to study without Matric. Here are the entry requirements that you need:
- Matric Equivalent Qualification
- Grade 10 Certificate
- Grade 11 Certificate
- Read, write and understand English
Matric Equivalent Qualification
The acceptable Matric Equivalent Qualifications are the following:
- Senior Bookkeeping: ICB Further Education and Training Certificate
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
Here is what you can study:
- NATED Business Management Programme
- NATED Financial Management Programme
- NATED Human Resource Management Programme
- NATED Management Assistant Programme
- NATED Marketing Management Programme
- ICB Office Administration Programme
Grade 10 Certificate
Here is what you can study with a Grade 10 Certificate:
Grade 11 Certificate
Here is what you can study with a Grade 11 Certificate:
Read, Write And Understand English
The minimum requirement for these Short Courses is to be able to read, write, and understand English. Here is what you can study if you are to read, write and understand English:
After your NATED Diploma, you can study for an Advanced Diploma in a similar or related field as directed by a University of your choice. An Advanced Diploma equips students with additional skills and knowledge in their particular field. It may include integrated learning work.
No, you can not convert your Diploma to a Degree. In order to study for a Degree, you will need to have passed your Matric with a Bachelors Pass Level.
Benefits of Studying At Matric College
To ensure that you succeed in earning your qualification, here is how you can benefit at Matric College:
- Provide you with textbooks
- Provide you with expertly written study notes
- Access to your tutors
- Access to student support services from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm Monday to Friday
- Assist with exam preparations
ICB courses build on each other. An ICB Diploma Is a course that you study after having completed successive Certificate courses. Here are the Diploma courses that the ICB offers:
- Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Business Management Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
Here are the Certificate courses that you will need to complete before you study for the Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Here are the Certificate courses that you will need to complete before you study for the Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Here are the Certificate courses and Diploma course that you will need to complete before you study for the Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
- Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Bookkeeping: ICB FET National Certificate
- Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Business Management Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Here are the Certificate courses that you will need to complete before you study for the Business Management Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
Here is why you should study an ICB Diploma course:
- Internationally recognised
- Scarce skills
- Studied via distance learning
- You can run your own business
- Course entry level is flexible
Internationally Recognised
All the ICB courses are both internationally and nationally recognised. With an ICB qualification, you can work anywhere in the world.
Scarce Skills
All ICB courses offer scarce skills. Scarce skills are those skills that are in demand in the job market. This means that there are very few people with Business and Financial Qualifications in South Africa. With an ICB Qualification, you are readily employable.
Distance Learning
You can study an ICB course by distance learning. Distance learning is one of the best ways to study higher education. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider this option:
- Learn and earn. With distance learning, you can earn while you are learning. This means that you are able to finance your studies while working at the same time. You will not have to leave your job because of your studies.
- No commuting. There is no need to attend classes. You will study in the comfort of your home. This means that you will save money as there are no transport costs when you study online.
- Flexibility. With distance learning, you do not attend any classes, as you can control when and how you want to study. You are advised to come up with a timetable for your studies and stick to it. At Matric College, we can assist you in setting up an effective timetable.
- Get promoted. You can get promoted while studying by distance learning, as you will be improving your skills while working. This benefits you as well as your employer.
Run Your Own Business
ICB offer courses in Business and Finance. This means that you can use the knowledge and skills that you have gained to start your own business. For example, the ICB Small Business Financial Management Course is a great course for those who want to start their own business or who have already started a business but want to improve their business processes.
Entry Requirements To Study An ICB Qualification Is Flexible
The entry requirements into the internationally recognised ICB courses are flexible. Here is the minimum requirement for an ICB entry-level course:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Proof that you completed and passed Grade 10 (Standard 8) or equivalent
Yes, ICB is a recognised qualification. Here are the local and international professional bodies that recognise ICB Qualifications:
- ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants – UK
- CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK
- IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers – UK
- IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals – UK
- SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Practitioners
- SAIBA – South African Institute Of Business Accountants
Yes, ICB courses are accredited. Here are the bodies that ICB is accredited with:
- South African Qualifications Association (SAQA)
- Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO)
- Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority(FASSET)
An ICB Certificate is a Certificate issued by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Here are the ICB Certificate courses that you can study with Matric College:
You register for ICB through the ICB Student Portal. Remember you must register at Matric College first before you register with the ICB. Here are the steps that you need to take:
- Click here to register directly with ICB
- Fill in all the relevant details
- Click register
- You will be redirected to another page where you must fill in all the required information
- You will then be able to log in with your new credentials
When you register as an ICB student, you will be given access to the ICB Digital Portfolio using the MACCI portal. Your registered courses will only reflect on your digital portfolio once your payment has been processed. Here is what you can do with the MACCI portal:
- Keep up to date with course progress
- Complete and submit assignments
- Write Online Tests and Exams
- Complete your Digital Portfolio of Evidence
A Digital Portfolio is a collection of your test and assignments that you complete for each subject during the study of your ICB course. It is proof that you have studied and understood the course subject. Your final exam is also part of your Portfolio of Evidence.
Here are the steps to registering for your exam:
- Pay your Annual Student Registration fee
- Thereafter, register for your exams
- Immediately get access to MACCi
- Receive your Portfolio of Evidence
- Complete your tests and assignments
- Write your final exam
- Receive your results about 6 weeks after the exam date
The ICB Course assessments consist of 3 assignments and 2 tests. These are included in a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) that students access on the ICB MACCI portal. There is a PoE for every subject. Students must complete their tests and assignments before the examinations start. Here is a list of the ICB Course assessments:
- Assignments
- Online Tests
- Exams
Assignments
There are 3 assignments for each subject that you must complete no longer than a week before the final exam starts. It is important to complete and submit this in time as the marks will be combined with your test and exam to determine your final mark allocation.
Online Tests
There are 2 tests for each subject that you must write. The ICB MACCI will mark your test and give you immediate results. With these results, you will know what to expect on your next assessment and improve.
Exams
The ICB offers exams in two ways. These are:
- Online
- Paper-Based
The two exams are similar, the differences are simply that one is written online and the other is written at a physical location.
The Online exams are set for 01:00 pm to 04:30 pm. Paper-based exams are set for 09:00 am to 12:30 pm.
If you have studied courses that are similar to ICB’s, previously, you can apply for an exemption to study that course. Only applications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) are considered. Here is what you need to submit with your application:
- Proof of provider accreditation (the institution which offered the course must be accredited)
- NQF level
- SAQA qualification registration number
- Proof of Payment – R490.00 (The fees are subject to change)
- Copies of your previous results (non-South Africans must include a South African Qualifications Association (SAQA) ‘Certification of Evaluation’)
- ICB student number (you must be a registered student to apply for an exemption)
- Copy of ID or passport
If you are applying for an exemption due to relevant work experience, here is what you will need to submit:
- Application letter
- Detailed CV explaining your work experience and references from relevant jobs
- A letter from your Manager confirming your work experience
- Copy of ID or passport
- Proof of payment – R490.00 (The fees are subject to change)
Types OF Exemptions
- Full exemption
- Conditional exemption granted
- Exemption not granted
Full Exemption
If your previous studies are recognised. The ICB will grant you full exemption. You will need to pay an exemption fee per subject granted.
Conditional Exemption Granted
A conditional exemption is granted if you do not qualify for a full exemption but can submit more evidence without having to write an exam. You will be required to complete a Portfolio of Evidence assessment provided by the ICB to prove your competency in a subject.
Exemption Not Granted
An exemption is not granted if the ICB feels that your previous qualifications and your work experience do not match part or all the outcomes of the subject(s) you are applying for.
All Our Accredited Courses
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: March 25, 2022