Matric equivalent courses

Matric Equivalent Courses are programmes of study that have the same learning experience as a Matric. There are on the same NQF level as a Matric (NSC).

Matric Equivalent Courses are programmes of study that have been classified as having the same learning experiences as a Matric. The courses are also ranked at the same level as a Matric on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Matric is at NQF Level 4 and Matric Equivalent Courses are also at NQF Level 4.

Here are the Matric Equivalent Qualifications that are offered by Matric College:  

Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate

This Matric Equivalent Course is a product of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). It is one of the courses under the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. Here is the general information about this course:

  1. Certificate Type : National Certificate
  2. Awarded By : FASSET
  3. Award Type : FET Certificate plus Programme Completion Certificate
  4. NQF Level : Level 4
  5. SAQA ID : 58376
  6. Credits : 130

Entry Requirements :

Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate

This Matric Equivalent Course is a product of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB). It is one of the courses under the ICB Business Management Programme. Here is the general information about this course:

  1. Certificate Type : National Certificate
  2. Awarded By : FASSET
  3. Award Type : National plus Programme Completion Certificates
  4. NQF Level : Level 4
  5. SAQA ID : 48736
  6. Credits : 120

Entry Requirements :

Is NQF Level 3 Equivalent To Matric?

No, NQF Level 3 is not equivalent to Matric, but NQF Level 4 is equivalent to Matric. The table below shows the NQF Levels and the qualifications that they are equivalent to:

NQF LEVELQUALIFICATION
NQF Level 1Grade 9 or ABET Level 4
NQF Level 2Grade 10
NQF Level 3Grade 11
NQF Level 4Grade 12 or Matric Equivalent Certificates
NQF Level 5Higher Certificates
NQF Level 6Diploma or Advanced Certificates
NQF Level 7Advanced Diplomas or Bachelor’s Degree
NQF Level 8Post Graduate Diplomas or Honours degree
NQF Level 9Master’s Degrees
NQF Level 10Doctoral Degrees

Is N3 The Same As Grade 12?

Yes, N3 is on the same NQF Level as Grade 12. However, you must remember, that N Levels are specific to NATED Courses. The table below shows the N Levels and the NQF system and educational equivalence:

N LEVELNQF LEVELEDUCATIONAL LEVEL
N1 National CertificateNQF Level 2Grade 10
N2 National CertificateNQF Level 3Grade 11
N3 National CertificateNQF Level 4Grade 12
N4 National CertificateNQF Level 5Certificate
N5 National CertificateNQF Level 5Certificate
N6 National CertificateNQF Level 5Certificate
N5 National DiplomaNQF Level 6Diploma

Can I Study A NATED N4 Course Without Matric?

No. you cannot study a NATED N4 Course without Matric. You cannot study N4 even if you hold a Matric Equivalent Qualification. With all NATED Courses, the entry requirement is a Matric Certificate.  

Can I Study Matric At A TVET College?

Yes, you can study Matric at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College. Students with grade 9 can complete their Matric at TVET Colleges. To be admitted to a TVET College, you must be 16 years or older.

Can I Apply At University With N4?

No, you cannot apply for University admission with an N4. To apply to be admitted to a University, you must have passed Matric with a Bachelor’s Degree Pass Level. Find out from the University that you want to study at, what the Admission Point Score (APS) is to complete the course that you want to study.

What Level Is A Diploma?

A Diploma is generally an NQF Level 6 qualification, depending on the number of credits accumulated throughout the course. Here are the Diploma Courses that Matric College offers:

DIPLOMANQF LEVELCREDITS
6360
5251
6280
6

280

 

The highlighted Diploma Course is at an NQF Level 5 because of the number of credits it has. Any qualifications’ credits generally determines the NQF Level.

Can I Join The Police Without Matric?

No, you cannot join the Police without Matric. Here is what you need to join the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other professions:

PROFESSIONENTRY REQUIREMENTS
SAPS
  • You must have passed Matric (including the compulsory Languages and Mathematics or Maths Literacy
  • Be a South African citizen 
  • You must be at least 18 years old but under the age of 30 years old
  • Holder of a valid driver’s license 
  • You must not have a criminal record
Paramedic (Entry-level)
  • Matric
  • Basic Life Support (Short Course)
  • Code 10 drivers’ licence
  • Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)
South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
  • Be currently in Matric year or have completed it 
  • Be a South African citizen
  • Age between 18 and 22 years 
  • With no criminal record 
  • Be preferably single
  • Comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the South African National Defence Force.
  • Be prepared to do Basic Military Training, Functional Training, and serve in uniform.
Grade R Teacher

To train as a Grade R Teacher, you will need the relevant Matric Pass Level and APS to qualify to study for the following:

  • 3-year Diploma in Grade R Teaching OR
  • 4-year Bachelor of Education: Foundation Phase Teaching (B. Ed. Foundation Phase) OR
  • Bachelor’s Degree (other than a B. Ed.) plus a 1-year Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), specialising in Foundation Phase Teaching

Where Can I Study If I Failed Matric?

People Also Ask

Matric equivalent courses allow you to gain the same credits you would receive from completing matric. They also open the door to ICB bookkeeping courses. These are courses that teach you how businesses handle:

ICB courses are different from each other and offer scarce skills for business owners and anyone who would like to learn how a business operates.


Financial Accounting


So, if you would like to learn how to handle and calculate the finances of a business, then the Financial Accounting course is for you. 


Business Management


If you want to learn how to manage the day-to-day of a business, including the employees and money, then Business Management is for you. 


Office Administration


If you would like to learn the skills and knowledge to work in an office environment, then Office Administration is for you,

The truth is that both are good options, depending on the career you want for yourself after studying either. If you want to gain your matric certificate as an adult or upgrade your matric marks to study in university or get better job opportunities, then online matric is the way to go.

Matric equivalent courses, however, are for students who would like to learn the skills to become a bookkeeper and manage a business, then matric equivalent courses are for you.

No. While a matric equivalent certificate has the same credits as a traditional matric certificate, it is only a prerequisite course, meaning that studying it opens up the doors to studying for an ICB course. For example:

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 17, 2022