Matric Equivalent Courses give you another way forward. These programs are designed to carry the same weight as a Matric certificate because they’re ranked at the exact same level on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF Level 4). In simple terms, that means employers, colleges, and universities recognize them as being on par with Matric. The best part? You get to choose a path that matches your skills, career goals, and interests, without feeling boxed into the “one-size-fits-all” school system.
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 Courses. Here is the general information about this course:
- Certificate Type : National Certificate
- Awarded By : FASSET
- Award Type : FET Certificate plus Programme Completion Certificate
- NQF Level : Level 4
- SAQA ID : 58376
- Credits : 130
- Must have completed the Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Be able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
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. Here is the general information about this course:
- Certificate Type : National Certificate
- Awarded By : FASSET
- Award Type : National plus Programme Completion Certificates
- NQF Level : Level 4
- SAQA ID : 48736
- Credits : 120
Entry Requirements :
- Must have completed Grade 11 or the Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Be able to read, write and understand English
- Be able to study through distance learning
Imagine where you could be a year from now with a qualification equal to Matric. Ready to take the first step?
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 LEVEL | QUALIFICATION |
| NQF Level 1 | Grade 9 or ABET Level 4 |
| NQF Level 2 | Grade 10 |
| NQF Level 3 | Grade 11 |
| NQF Level 4 | Grade 12 or Matric Equivalent Certificates |
| NQF Level 5 | Higher Certificates |
| NQF Level 6 | Diploma or Advanced Certificates |
| NQF Level 7 | Advanced Diplomas or Bachelor’s Degree |
| NQF Level 8 | Post Graduate Diplomas or Honours degree |
| NQF Level 9 | Master’s Degrees |
| NQF Level 10 | Doctoral 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 LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | EDUCATIONAL LEVEL |
| N1 National Certificate | NQF Level 2 | Grade 10 |
| N2 National Certificate | NQF Level 3 | Grade 11 |
| N3 National Certificate | NQF Level 4 | Grade 12 |
| N4 National Certificate | NQF Level 5 | Certificate |
| N5 National Certificate | NQF Level 5 | Certificate |
| N6 National Certificate | NQF Level 5 | Certificate |
| N5 National Diploma | NQF Level 6 | Diploma |
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 Courses. 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.
Registration was simple and quick. The staff are friendly and helpful. They provide many courses to help you get your matric – Jeanette E
Just because you don’t have Matric yet doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Explore the courses that count as NQF Level 4 and keep moving forward.
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:
| DIPLOMA | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS |
| 6 | 360 | |
| 5 | 251 | |
| 6 | 280 | |
| 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.
What Are The 4 Pass Levels Of Matric?
Here are the four (4) Matric Pass Levels:
Don’t let the system confuse you. Whether it’s N4, a Diploma, or Matric pass levels, there’s always a way forward. Let’s map out yours today.
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:
| PROFESSION | ENTRY REQUIREMENTS |
| SAPS |
|
| Paramedic (Entry-level) |
|
| South African National Defence Force (SANDF) |
|
| 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:
|
Where Can I Study If I Failed Matric?
You can study at Matric College if you failed Matric. The college is a distance learning institution. This means that you will not attend classes, but you will study at home. Here are some of the courses that you can study at Matric College:
- ICB Courses
- Short Courses
- Crèche Management Courses
- Child Day Care Courses
- Child Psychology Courses
- Salon Management Expert Course
- Nail Care Courses
- Make-up Courses
- Facial Skincare Courses
- Beauty Therapy Expert Course
- Tourism Management Courses
- Guest House Management Courses
- Events Management Courses
- Wedding Planning Courses
- First Aid Course
Matric Equivalent Courses are great for students who want to complete a course that is at NQF Level 4 without having to complete High School subjects.
These courses are generally in business and finance related fields, although they are not limited to them only. To find out more about our Matric Equivalent Courses, you may:
- Contact our Course Experts
- Book a call-me-back
- Download a brochure
- Complete an online registration form
Missing Matric doesn’t mean missing out. You can still study, qualify, and step into a career you’re proud of. Why not start today?
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:
- Management
- Financial Accounting
- Administration
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 the Business Management course is for you.
Office Administration
If you would like to learn the skills and knowledge to work in an office environment, then the Office Administration course 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:
- The Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate allows you to study ICB Business Management courses.
- The Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate course, however, opens the doors to the ICB Financial Accounting courses
The duration varies depending on the course and mode of study. Typically, these courses can take between 12 to 24 months to complete. Some institutions, like Matric College, offer flexible learning options to accommodate different schedules.
Costs can vary widely depending on the institution, course content, and duration. It’s advisable to contact us directly for detailed fee structures and payment options.
Yes, a matric equivalent certificate can qualify you for various entry-level positions, especially in fields like bookkeeping, administration, and small business management. Employers recognize these qualifications as evidence of relevant skills and knowledge.
You can check your NQF level by looking at your highest qualification. For example, if you completed Grade 9, you’re on NQF Level 1; if you have Matric, you’re on NQF Level 4. Each qualification in South Africa is registered with a level on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). To be certain, you can:
- Look at your certificate, as it usually states the NQF level.
- Visit the SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) website and search for your qualification.
- Contact the institution where you studied, and they can confirm the NQF level for you.
This helps you understand where you stand and what further studies you qualify for.
Yes, you can. If you wrote Matric more than once and passed different subjects in different sittings, you may be able to combine your results into a single certificate. This process is called a “Combination of Results” (also known as a Replacement Certificate: Combination of Results).
Here’s what you need to know:
- You must have passed at least a few subjects in previous sittings.
- You can apply for a combination at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) or Umalusi.
- You’ll receive one certificate that reflects your combined passes.
If you still failed after combining, you can explore options like a Matric Rewrite or a Matric Upgrade to improve your results and get a full Matric certificate.
Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: August 17, 2022