ICB And NATED Courses
Study toward a recognised business or finance qualification through the ICB or NATED programmes Matric College offers — both delivered as distance-learning courses without classroom attendance. ICB qualifications stack from Grade 10 entry up to NQF Level 6, covering bookkeeping, accounting, office administration, and business management. NATED qualifications run on the N4 → N5 → N6 ladder; the National Diploma is awarded after the academic ladder plus 18 months of work experience verified by DHET. The full ICB and NATED courses Matric College offers are:
Here is a list of all our NATED and ICB Courses:
ICB Courses
| ICB Course | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | ICB National Certificate |
| Bookkeeping | ICB FET Certificate |
| Certified Financial Accounting | ICB National Diploma |
| Financial Accounting – Business Management | ICB National Diploma |
| Office Administration – Business Management | ICB Higher Certificate |
| Office Administration | ICB National Certificate |
| Office Administration | ICB Higher Certificate |
| Office Administration | ICB National Diploma |
| Small Business Financial Management | ICB National Certificate |
| Technical Financial Accounting | ICB National Diploma |
The above is a comprehensive list of our accredited ICB courses:
NATED Courses
| Course | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Business Management | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Business Management | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Business Management | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Business Management | NATED N6 National Diploma |
| Financial Management | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Financial Management | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Financial Management | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Human Resource Management | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Human Resource Management | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Human Resource Management | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Human Resource Management | NATED N6 National Diploma |
| Legal Secretary | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Legal Secretary | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Legal Secretary | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Legal Secretary | NATED N6 National Diploma |
| Management Assistant | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Management Assistant | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Management Assistant | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Management Assistant | NATED N6 National Diploma |
| Marketing Management | NATED N4 National Certificate |
| Marketing Management | NATED N5 National Certificate |
| Marketing Management | NATED N6 National Certificate |
| Marketing Management | NATED N6 National Diploma |
What Are ICB Courses?
ICB Courses are developed by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. These are management and business courses that are recognised nationally and internationally. ICB only administers the exams, tests, and assignments. The Institute administers the exams, tests, and assignments, while support, study materials, and textbooks are provided by accredited training providers such as Matric College.
All of our ICB courses are offered through flexible distance learning, allowing you to study at your own pace and balance your learning with other commitments.
Start today and build your accredited ICB qualification to advance your career.
What Can You Do With An ICB Qualification?
Here is what you can do with your ICB Qualification:
- Find entry-level employment opportunities for each course and each programme
- Apply for an internship
- Apply for a learnership
| ICB Business Management Programme | ICB Financial Accounting Programme | ICB Office Administration Programme |
| Business Manager | Bookkeeper | Office Administrator |
| Business Owner | Assistant Accountant | Administrative Clerk |
| Team Leader of a sales team | Technical Accountant | Receptionist |
Get personalised guidance from our course expert.
Are ICB Qualifications Recognised?
Yes, ICB online Courses are recognised by employers nationally and internationally. Here are the international professional bodies:
- ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
- CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
- IAB (International Association of Bookkeepers)
- IAAP (International Association of Accounting Professionals)
All of these professional bodies are based in the UK. This allows our students to work abroad. You can earn more money working abroad because the currency is different.
Here are the national professional bodies:
- South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
- Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
- Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET)
- Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)
- South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT)
- The South African Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA)
Are ICB Courses Accredited?
Yes, ICB courses are recognised nationally and internationally, ensuring your qualifications meet industry standards and are valued by employers across South Africa. ICB Courses are accredited by:
Why Should I Study An ICB Course?
After completing an ICB course, you can continue your progression by enrolling in the next course within the same ICB programme. This structured approach allows you to build on your existing knowledge, gain accredited qualifications, and advance your career step by step.
Below is an example of going from one course to the next course:
| Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate | ⇨ | Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate |
Here are the subjects that you will complete for this course:
| Here are the subjects that you will complete for this course:
|
Keep in mind that you must complete the first course to gain entry to the second course. See the image below for more information:
- Complete another Programme
If you choose to complete another ICB Programme, you will get exempted from certain subjects. We call this Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This means that you can complete the next ICB programme without repeating the subjects you have already completed.
- Complete a Degree Course with a Bachelor’s Degree Pass
Most if not all universities in South Africa only accept students that apply for a Degree course with a Bachelor’s Degree Pass. They also look at:
- APS Score
- Subjects chosen and completed in High School
Apply now to complete your next ICB programme and gain exemptions with Recognition of Prior Learning.
What Are NATED Courses?
National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED) Courses are designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
These NATED programmes are both practical and theoretically, allowing students to start working immediately after completing their studies. This is the main reason why these courses were created. The DHET saw that there were many graduates that were unemployed.
The reason for the unemployment rate amongst youth mostly came from students that have little or no work experience.
What Is A NATED Qualification?
A NATED Qualification is awarded after you have completed a NATED Course. Here are the certificates that you can receive without work experience:
- N4 NATED National Certificate
- N5 NATED National Certificate
- N6 NATED National Certificate
If you would like to get your N6 NATED Diploma, you have to complete 18 months of work experience. This can be done by creating an account on verified career portals and applying for a job/internship that matches the industry that your NATED course is based on.
Are NATED Courses Accredited?
Yes, NATED Courses are accredited. This accreditation guarantees that your qualifications adhere to national standards and are respected by employers throughout South Africa, providing a reliable pathway for career advancement.
They are accredited by:
- QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)
- And the exams are administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training0
Who Qualifies For NATED Courses?
You qualify for a NATED course if you meet the following requirements:
- If you are 16 and older
- Have a National Senior Certificate or an Senior Certificate
- You can apply with any Matric Pass Level
- Understand, read and write English
- Study through distance learning
If you have failed Matric and would like to complete a NATED Course, then you can apply for our Matric Upgrade Course with the following entry requirements:
- Your failed Matric marks
- Your Incomplete Matric marks
- Your Statement of results
- Your passed Matric Certificate that needs to be improved for university
If you do not have Matric, you can apply for our Adult Matric Course with the following entry requirements:
- Apply at the age of 19. Remember that you have to be 21 or older when you write the final Matric exams.
- Have a Grade 9 or ABET Level 4 Certificate
- Understand, read and write Afrikaans or English
- Study Adult Matric through distance learning
Speak to our course advisors to confirm your eligibility and start your NATED studies.
Can I Apply At University With N6?
No, you cannot apply to university with your N6 NATED Course. However, if you have a Matric Certificate with a Bachelor’s Degree, a university might consider your application. Always find out from the university what the requirements are before applying.
How Long Is A NATED Course?
A NATED Course is between (6) six months and (12) twelve months. Here are the different ways you can complete a NATED Course:
| 6 Months | 12 Months | 6 Months |
| Complete only theory. | Complete the theory first and then the work experience. | Complete the work experience and the theory together. |
You can complete, this process can be applied to when you complete (2) two or (3) three courses.
Is NC (V) Better Than NATED?
No, NC (V) is not better than NATED Courses. Both NC (V) and NATED can be beneficial to you, depending on the type of student you are.
If you do not want to complete Matric the traditional way, then you should consider an NC (V) Course. If you have already completed Matric and want to complete a course, then you should apply for a NATED Course.
Both courses allow students to start working immediately after they have completed their studies because they give students skills and experience.
Application Process
Here is how you can apply for any of our courses:
- Book a call-me-back
- Apply online
- Contact us on WhatsApp
- Contact us on this landline number: 012 762 7100
Good service and they are always willing to help! My student champion is always there when I have questions. – Janke V
ICB Course Fees
Before you start your ICB course, it’s important to know about the fees. These are the prices for different parts of your course, like registration and exams. Knowing what each fee is for can help you plan your money better and avoid surprises.
Here are the fees you will pay directly to the ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers):
| ICB Course Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual Student Registration Fee | R500 |
| Assessment Fee for Digital PoE (paper & online exam) | R915 per subject |
| RPL/Exemption Application Fee | R375 |
| RPL/Exemption Fee (no PoE required) | R585 per subject |
| RPL PoE Fee (PoE required) | R1 350 per subject |
| ICB Programme Certificate Reprint (domestic) | R440 |
| FASSET Certificate Reprint (domestic) | R440 |
| ICB Programme Certificate Reprint (international) | R660 |
| FASSET Certificate Reprint (international) | R660 |
| Certificate Resend Fee – Domestic | R220 |
| Certificate Resend Fee – International | R580 |
| Assessment Postponement Fee | R375 per subject |
| Assessment Late Entry Fee | R585 per subject |
| Assessment Re-mark & Examiners Report | R1 050 per subject |
| Private Invigilator Admin Fee | R600 |
| Results Transcript (Print & Send) | R180 |
These are the official ICB fees for 2025. Use this table to help you work out what your total cost could be. If you need help or want to know more about payment plans, speak to one of our course experts.
People Also Ask
The overall pass mark for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) is 60%. This is calculated from two parts: your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE), which counts 30% of your final mark, and your final ICB exam, which counts 70%. You need to achieve at least 60% combined to pass each subject and move on to the next level of your qualification.
Yes. A NATED diploma, which is at NQF Level 6, can qualify you to apply for certain bachelor’s degree programmes at universities or universities of technology. Admission is not automatic — each institution sets its own entry requirements, so you’ll need to check if your chosen degree accepts a NATED diploma in your field. In many cases, having relevant work experience alongside your diploma can strengthen your application.
Yes. The ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) is fully accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and its qualifications are registered with SAQA on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This means any college that is an official ICB training provider is offering accredited ICB courses. Completing these courses leads to recognised qualifications from NQF Level 3 to NQF Level 6, depending on the programme you choose.
Yes. A NATED qualification is accredited and recognised in South Africa, so you can use it to apply for jobs in your field of study. For example, if you have an N6 in Financial Management, you can apply for finance-related roles; if you have an N6 in Educare, you can work in early childhood development. Since NATED diplomas are at NQF Level 6, they are considered a solid qualification for entry-level to mid-level positions and can also be combined with work experience to qualify for more advanced roles.
ICB Financial Accounting starts at NQF Level 3 and goes up to Level 6. Each level teaches you more, starting with the basics and moving to more advanced accounting. When you finish all levels, you can get a National Diploma in Financial Accounting.
A NATED qualification is a formal course made by the government. It includes both learning and real work experience. If you finish your studies and complete 18 months of work, you can get a National Diploma.
The ICB Student Portal is an online platform where ICB students can manage their studies. You can register for exams, download your results, and check your progress. It helps you stay organised and up to date while studying your ICB Bookkeeping courses.
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 7, 2022