Is An N6 Certificate Equivalent To A Diploma?

Matric College offers seven Diploma courses. These courses range from Finance to Marketing. These Diploma courses are all scarce skills courses. Go for it!

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Last Updated : April 22, 2024

No, an N6 Certificate is not equivalent to a Diploma. Here are the differences between an N6 Certificate and an N6 Diploma:

 NATED N6 NATIONAL CERTIFICATENATED N6 NATIONAL DIPLOMA
REQUIREMENTSMust have completed the NATED N5 National CertificateMust have completed the NATED N6 National certificate
CREDITS60360
NQF LEVEL54
AWARDNational N CertificateNational N Diploma

Is N6 A Diploma Or Certificate?

There are two NATED levels that are preceded by N6. However, one is a Diploma and the other is a Certificate. Here are the two:

  • NATED N6 National Certificate
  • NATED N6 National Diploma
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What Are NATED Courses?

NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Diploma. NATED courses were designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training. NATED courses came about because of the need to fill a skills gap that had been identified by the DHET. The courses include a practical. This prepares the students for the workplace. Here are the NATED programmes that are offered at Matric College:

Our Nated Courses are offered in partnership with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

What Is A NATED Qualification?

A NATED Qualification is a Certificate or Diploma awarded by studying a NATED course. Here are the qualifications that you can study at Matric College:

Business Management Courses

  1. Business Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  2. Business Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  3. Business Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  4. Business Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Marketing Management Courses

  1. Marketing Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  2. Marketing Management: NATED N5 National Certificate 
  3. Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Certificate  
  4. Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Management Assistant Courses

  1. Management Assistant NATED N4 National Certificate
  2. Management Assistant NATED N5 National Certificate
  3. Management Assistant NATED N6 National Certificate
  4. Management Assistant NATED N6 National Diploma

Human Resources Management Courses 

  1. Human Resource Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  2. Human Resource Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  3. Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  4. Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Financial Management Courses

  1. Financial Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  2. Financial Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  3. Financial Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  4. Financial Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Legal Secretary Courses

  1. Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate 
  2. Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate
  3. Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate
  4. Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma
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Why Should I Study A NATED Course?

Here are the reasons why you should study a NATED course:

  • They are scarce skills courses
  • You get certified at every level
  • You gain soft skills
  • Courses are accredited
  • You can study through distance learning

They Are Scarce Skills Courses

Scarce skills courses are in demand. All NATED courses are scarce skills courses. With a scarce skills qualification, you will not last long on the job market before you are employed. Employers are always searching for people who hold scarce skills qualifications.

You Get Certified At Every Level

With NATED courses, you are certified at every level of the programme. This means that you can look for job opportunities as soon as you complete any of the course/s in the programme. Here are the course levels in a NATED programme:

  • NATED N4 National Certificate  
  • NATED N5 National Certificate  
  • NATED N6 National Certificate  
  • NATED N6 National Diploma

You Gain Soft Skills

When you study NATED courses, you will gain soft skills. Soft Skills are also referred to as transferable skills. Transferable skills are so-called because these skills can be used in any setting, professional or social.  Here are some of the common soft skills that you can gain when you study a NATED course:

  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Computer 
  • Numeracy

Courses Are Accredited

All NATED courses are accredited. NATED courses are accredited by the following bodies:

  • South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
  • Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
  • Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)

You Can Study Through Distance Learning

You can study NATED courses through distance learning. Here is why you should consider studying through distance learning:

  • It is flexible. You can study anywhere and at any time. 
  • There is no travelling to classes. With distance learning, there are no classes. You will study at home. So, there is no need to travel.
  • You cut costs. You cut costs on travel as well as associated costs such as teas and lunches. You will also not buy textbooks because Matric College will provide them.  
  • You are free from COVID-19. As you will study from home, you are free from COVID-19 as you do not have to mingle with fellow students and the public.

Who Qualifies For NATED Courses?

Here are the requirements for studying NATED Programmes:

Matric Equivalent Qualification

A Matric Equivalent Qualification is a Certificate or Diploma  that is on the same National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a Matric. Matric is at NQF level 4. The National Qualifications Framework is administered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Here are the Matric Equivalent Qualifications examples:

Can I Upgrade My NATED N6 Diploma To A Degree?

No, you can not upgrade your NATED N6 National Diploma to a Degree. To study for a  Degree, you will need a Matric which is a Bachelor’s pass level.

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How Many Credits Does N6 Have?

Here are the NQF levels and credits of NATED Programmes:

COURSECREDITSNQF LEVEL
NATED N4 National Certificate605
NATED N5 National Certificate605
NATED N6 National Certificate605
18 Months Practicals180 
NATED N6 National Diploma3606

How Long Is N4 - N6?

Here is the recommended duration of the N4 – N6:

COURSERECOMMENDED DURATION
NATED N4 National Certificate6 – 12 months
NATED N5 National Certificate6 – 12 months
NATED N6 National Certificate6 – 12 months
NATED N6 National Diploma6 – 12 months

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: April 13, 2022