So, you’ve written Matric before, but maybe things didn’t go as planned. Perhaps you just missed the pass mark, or your results weren’t strong enough to get you into the course or career you’ve been dreaming about. The truth is, that doesn’t have to be the end of your journey. With a Matric Rewrite, officially known as the Amended Senior Certificate, you get a real second chance to not just pass, but to level up your results and finally open those doors that once felt shut. Whether it’s studying further, qualifying for university, or landing a better job, rewriting Matric can be the key to unlocking opportunities you thought were out of reach.
Watch our College Principal explain the options you have to Rewrite Matric here:
| Course | Course: Amended Senior Certificate |
| Programme Type | National Qualification |
| Award Type | Senior Certificate |
| Award Issued By | Umalusi |
| Accredited By | Umalusi |
| Course Duration | 12 to 24 months recommended |
| NQF Level | Level 4 |
| SAQA ID Number | 49647 |
| Entrance Criteria |
|
You can choose how many subjects you want to upgrade. Please check that we offer the subjects you want to upgrade.
Matric Subject List
- English Home Language
- English 1st Additional Language
- Afrikaans Huistaal
- Afrikaans 1st Additional Language
- Other 1st Additional Language
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Literacy
- Physical, Computer and Life Science Subjects
- Life Science (Used to be Biology)
- Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry)
- Business, Commerce and Management Studies
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Human and Social Studies
- Geography
- History
Rewriting Through Matric College
With Matric College, you can choose to rewrite your matric exams. To apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have written your matric exams already: To be able to rewrite your matric exams, you have to have already written your exams. Only then can you improve your results.
- Be able to read and write in English OR Afrikaans: You can choose to rewrite your matric exams in either English or Afrikaans, depending on your preference. You must be able to read and write in the language that you choose.
- You are 21 at the time of writing your exams: You can apply to rewrite your matric exams through Matric College at 19 years old. However, you have to be 21 when you write your exams.
You meet the requirements, now it’s time to meet your goals. Rewrite your Matric with us and open the doors you’ve been waiting for.
Matric College Rewrite Subjects
When you choose to rewrite your matric exams through Matric College, you have to choose from a selection of compulsory and optional subjects.
When it comes to compulsory subjects, you have to choose a Home Language, an Additional Language, and a Mathematics Subject:
- English Home Language.
- English 1st Additional Language.
- Afrikaans Huistaal (Home Language).
- Afrikaans 1st Additional Language.
- isiXhosa 1st Additional Language.
- isiZulu 1st Additional Language.
- Sepedi 1st Additional Language.
- Xitsonga 1st Additional Language.
- Ndebele 1st Additional Language.
- Sotho 1st Additional Language.
- Tshivenda 1st Additional Language.
- Siswati 1st Additional Language.
- Setswana 1st Additional Language.
- Mathematics.
- Mathematics Literacy.
Reasons to Rewrite Though Matric College
When you choose to rewrite your matric through Matric College, there are many benefits that you can expect. These include:
- Choosing new subjects: Rewriting your matric exams with Matric College means that you can choose new matric subjects for your matric finals. This comes very in handy if you are either looking for subjects that are more manageable or that meet tertiary course requirements.
- Tutors assistance: Matric College offers all students tutor assistance from 8 am to 5 pm every weekday.
- Academic feedback: You will be able to send all of your practice assessments to tutors for marking. The feedback you receive from our experts will help you improve in the sections where you might be struggling.
- Work from home: Since Matric College is a distance learning institution, you can complete your studies in the comfort of your home
- There is no subject limit: With other matric rewrite programmes, you are often only allowed to rewrite one or two. With Matric College, you can choose to rewrite one, a few, or all of your subjects.
Don’t Take Our Word For It: Here Is What A Student Had To Say About Their College Experience
Currently a student at Matric College, writing in May 2025. I have been with them almost a year now. The advisors and tutors are always willing to assist and get back to you promptly. Marking of Assignments is quick and easy. The call center staff are just amazing and always friendly – Amber Fitzgerald
Please note that Matric College does NOT offer any classes or tutoring or help for students who are aiming for a rewrite and who are younger than 21 years of age. Our matric programme is only for students older than 21 years of age.
Your home can be your classroom. Rewrite comfortably, confidently, and at your own pace, with us right beside you.
Second Chance Matric Programme (The Department of Education)
The Department of Education started the Second Chance Matric Programme to help students who failed their matric year. With this initiative, you are able to rewrite the matric exams you failed to meet the minimum requirements needed to pass your matric year.
Benefits
There are many benefits that come with rewriting your matric certificate. These include:
- More career opportunities: When it comes to applying for jobs, many require that you have a matric certificate. Candidates who have a matric certificate, are more likely to get the job.
- Further your education: With a matric certificate, you can further your education at a tertiary level. Your overall matric pass rate will determine which courses you will get to choose.
- Employment: With a matric certificate you will have a greater chance of finding employment. 55% of all unemployed South Africans do not have a matric certificate.
- Confidence: By completing your matric certificate, you will have a lot more confidence in yourself. This is because you will have achieved an educational qualification, have more job opportunities, and be able to earn a higher salary.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply for a Matric Rewrite if you meet the following criteria:
- You completed your matric exams.
- You did not meet the National Senior Certificate pass requirements.
- You are only looking to rewrite subjects that you failed.
- You need to rewrite only 1 or 2 exam papers.
If you are only looking to upgrade your matric marks, your best option would be a Matric Upgrade course.
Matric Rewrite Subjects offered by the Department of Education
The Second Chance Matric Programme targets the following subjects to be rewritten as part of the matric rewrites:
You don’t need to rewrite your whole Matric, just the subjects that held you back. Small changes can make a big difference
Register for a Matric Rewrite 2025
When it comes to registering for your matric rewrite, there are a few things you will need. Here is everything you need to know:
- Application requirements.
- Documents needed to apply.
Application Requirements
In order to apply for a matric rewrite, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be 21 when writing your exams.
- You must be able to read and write in EITHER English or Afrikaans.
- You must have completed your matric exams already.
Documents Needed to Apply
Here are the documents you need to apply:
- Your matric results.
- A Certified Copy of your ID.
What Is The Difference Between Matric Rewrite And Upgrade?
Matric Rewrite and Matric Upgrade both help you get better marks, but they work in different ways. A Matric Rewrite lets you try the same subjects again to do better. A Matric Upgrade lets you choose new subjects or improve your old ones to reach your goals.
| Matric Rewrite | Matric Upgrade |
|---|---|
| You write the same subjects again | You can change or improve subjects |
| You must be 21 or older to write | You can be younger than 21 to apply |
| You rewrite only the subjects you failed | You can pick any subjects to upgrade |
| Good if you want to pass subjects you missed | Good if you want to get into college or a new course |
Both choices are helpful. If you only want to pass subjects you didn’t do well in, Rewrite is best. If you want to try new subjects or aim higher, Upgrade is a great option.
Can You Combine An NSC And An Amended Senior Certificate?
Yes, you can combine an NSC (National Senior Certificate) with an Amended Senior Certificate. This means you can use subjects from both certificates to make one full set of results. You just need to ask Umalusi to help you put them together.
How To Pass An Amended Senior Certificate?
Passing your Amended Senior Certificate is possible if you plan well and stick to your study routine. You need to get good marks in your subjects to meet the pass rules. A smart study plan can make things easier and help you feel ready.
Here are 4 study tips to help you pass your matric rewrite:
- Make a study timetable and follow it each week.
- Ask for help from tutors when something is hard to understand.
- Practise using old exam papers to get used to the questions.
- Take short breaks while studying so you don’t get too tired.
Alternative Options
There are other options that you can follow. These include:
- Adult Matric.
- Matric Upgrade.
- Matric Equivalent Certificates.
A course in Adult Matric gives you the opportunity to complete your matric certificate no matter how many years you have been out of school.
The matric certificate that you get at the end of your Adult Matric course is the same certificate that you would have received after high school. Both are accredited by Umalusi.
Having a matric certificate means that you are able to:
- Get more employment opportunities.
- Further your education.
- Earn a higher salary.
With a Matric Upgrade, you can choose to improve your matric marks. As long as you have already written your matric exams, you can apply for the Matric Upgrade course.
Matric equivalent certificates are on the same NQF level as matric certificates. Both certificates are NQF level 4 but follow different methods of learning.
Traditional matric certificates give students a broader sense of learning and help prepare students for a variety of tertiary education courses.
Matric Equivalent Certificates give students a more specialised set of skills in a single area. This can include accounting and business management.
Once you have achieved a matric equivalent certificate, you will be able to move straight into a career within your specialised skill field. This is different from a matric certificate as you will not get these specific skills in high school and will be unable to have the same job opportunities as somebody with a matric equivalent certificate.
If you want to fix what went wrong, Rewrite is your second chance. If you want more options, Upgrade is your stepping stone
Study Without a Matric Certificate
Matric College also offers courses that you can study without a matric certificate. These include:
- Skill Based Courses.
- Accredited Courses.
- Scarce Skill Courses.
Skill Based Courses
Skill Based Courses are a great choice for anybody looking to improve either their CV or their knowledge in a specific field. Skill-based courses also help with skill-stacking.
Beauty Courses
Beauty Courses give you a wide variety of skills that can help anybody start within the beauty industry. Each of the following beauty courses offered at Matric College does not require a matric certificate:
Childcare
These Childcare courses at Matric College do not require a matric certificate to get started:
Tourism and Guesthouse
If you are looking to start or improve your career in Tourism and Guesthouse management, Matric College has courses that you can study without a matric certificate.
Event and Wedding Planning
Event and wedding planning courses can help start or grow your career. These Event and Wedding Planning courses can be started without a matric certificate:
Accredited Courses
Accredited Courses can help you become career-ready for a specific profession. These courses are also highly regarded by employers and can boost your employment chances.
National Qualification (NATED) Courses
NATED Courses are also known as National Qualification Courses. These courses are designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training to give students both practical and theoretical experience.
Whilst most NATED courses can be started with a matric equivalent certificate, some of them can only be applied for with a matric certificate. Here are the NATED courses that you can study with Matric College:
ICB Courses
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers offers 3 main study steams:
- Office Administration: ICB National Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate
- Office Administration: ICB National Diploma
- Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
Scarce Skills
When it comes to studying a scarce skill, the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers has 3 study streams that are all regarded as scarce skills in South Africa. These two study streams can be started without a matric certificate.
Your dreams don’t stop because you don’t have Matric and neither should you. Start studying now, and watch doors open.
Jan Badenhorst, CEO of Matric College, discusses your options for a Matric Rewrite
People Also Ask
You can apply for a matric rewrite through the Department of Basic Education OR through Matric College for their Matric Rewrite course.
To find out more information about the Matric Rewrite fees, please contact one of our course experts on 012 762 7100.
With Matric College, you are able to study for your matric rewrite through distance learning. That means that you can study everything that you need from the comfort of your home.
Once you are ready to write your exams, you will have to write your exams at an examination centre closest to you. Your examinations will not be written online.
No, you cannot rewrite your matric in 6 months. Your matric course is essentially 3 years of coursework. This is especially true when you change your subjects.
Our matric rewrite exams consist of the subject coursework from grade 10-12.
Yes, many universities will accept your upgraded marks if they match the course you want to study. When you rewrite matric and get the Amended Senior Certificate, your new marks can help you get in. Always check with the university first to be sure.
No, you cannot still pass matric if you fail Life Orientation. This subject is a part of your final marks for passing. Your other subjects, like English and Maths, are also important.
You can’t see your actual matric certificate online, but you can check your results on official websites. To get the real certificate, you need to collect it from your school or exam centre. If you lose it, you can ask the Department of Basic Education or Umalusi for a new one.
You can rewrite your Matric exam as many times as you wish—provided you are under 21 years old at the time of writing the exams. Once you turn 21, the Matric Rewrite option shifts to the Matric Upgrade pathway, which also carries no limit on attempts.
When you rewrite your Matric subjects, refresher weighting applies:
- In the Matric Rewrite (Second Chance / supplementary exam), your year mark remains part of your final mark, so the exam result is combined with your continuous assessment — meaning if your exam performance is lower, your overall mark can drop.
- In contrast, with the Matric Upgrade, your new exam marks replace your old marks alone, with no prior year mark counting — you’ll end up with whichever mark is higher (your original or your rewrite), subject to approval for consolidation via Umalusi.
Here’s how mark calculation works in a Matric Upgrade setting:
- You choose specific subjects—up to four or more—to rewrite or add.
- For each subject rewritten, the best mark of the two attempts—your original or your upgrade exam—is included in your final certificate, following a formal consolidation through the Department of Basic Education/Umalusi.
- When you combine results from multiple sittings, your Matric certificate will list only your highest marks per subject.
Not exactly. Repeating Matric means going back and doing the full year again, usually at school. Upgrading, however, is for adults who already wrote Matric but want to improve or change their marks. With an upgrade, you can rewrite specific subjects or even add new ones without redoing the entire year.
The Senior Certificate (SC) is the qualification that was awarded before 2008, while the Amended Senior Certificate (ASC) is the updated version introduced for adults who want to complete or rewrite their Matric. Both are issued by Umalusi and are recognised as equivalent to a traditional National Senior Certificate (NSC). The ASC is simply the modernised version tailored for adults over 21.
Yes, you can. Even if it has been 10 years or more since you wrote Matric, you’re still eligible to rewrite. Through the Amended Senior Certificate, adults aged 21 and older can register to improve their results, add new subjects, or complete their unfinished Matric. It’s never too late to give yourself that second chance.
Absolutely! Time doesn’t disqualify you from rewriting. Whether it’s been 5, 10, or 20 years since you last studied, you can still apply for an Adult Matric Rewrite. The only requirement is that you must be 21 or older when you write your exams. Many adults return years later and successfully earn their certificate proving it’s never too late.
Other Matric Certificate Courses and Matric Equivalent Certificates (NQF 4 Level)
Author: Jan Badenhorst, CEO, Matric College
Last Updated: January 19, 2023
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