What Can I Study With a Higher Certificate Pass?

Our NATED, ICB and short courses can be completed with a Higher Certificate Pass. The NATED courses go up to a Diploma level. This is 1 level below a Degree.

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Last Updated : November 24, 2023

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A Higher Certificate Pass is the third-highest of the four passes in Matric. With a Higher Certificate pass, you can study the following:

NATED Courses

Here are the NATED courses that you can study with a Higher Certificate pass: 

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

Educare Courses

  1. Educare NATED N4 National Certificate 
  2. Educare NATED N5 National Certificate 
  3. Educare NATED N6 National Certificate 
  4. Educare 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

Why You Should Study NATED Courses

Here is why you should study NATED courses:

NATED Courses Are Accredited

NATED courses are accredited. NATED courses were designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The courses are accredited with the following bodies:

  • DHET
  • Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO)
  • South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

Certified At Every Level

The beauty of NATED courses is that you are certified at every level. These are the levels of NATED courses that you will be certified at:

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

Scarce Skills

NATED courses are scarce skills. This means that the skills and knowledge that you will learn are in demand on the job market. After completing your NATED courses, you can be employed in a short space of time.

Gain Soft Skills

When you study NATED courses, you will gain soft skills. Soft skills are also known as transferable skills. The beauty of transferable skills is that you can study them in any other setting, be it social or professional.

Study Through Distance Learning

You can study NATED courses through distance learning. Here are the advantages of studying through distance learning:

  • It is flexible
  • Distance learning is affordable
  • You cut costs
  • COVID-19 free
  • You can earn and learn at the same time
NOTE: Our NATED courses are offered in partnership with Bellview Institute

ICB Courses

Here are the ICB courses that you can study with a Higher Certificate pass:

ICB Business Management

  1. Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
  2. Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
  3. Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

ICB Office Administration

  1. Office Administration: ICB National Certificate
  2. Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate
  3. Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

ICB Financial Accounting

  1. Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
  2. Bookkeeping: FET Certificate
  3. Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
  4. Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

Why You Should Study ICB Courses

Here is why you should study ICB courses:

  • ICB courses are accredited 
  • Nationally recognised
  • Internationally recognised
  • Scarce skills
  • Gain transferable skills
  • Study through distance learning

ICB Courses Are Accredited

All ICB courses are accredited. Remember, accreditation means, being officially recognised, accepted or approved. ICB courses are accredited by the following bodies:

  • SAQA
  • QCTO
  • ICB    

Nationally Recognised

ICB courses are recognised by South African employers. ICB courses are also recognised by other national professional bodies. The following professional bodies recognise ICB courses: 

  • South Africa Institute of Business Accountants (SAIBA)
  • SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Practitioners

Internationally Recognised

ICB courses are also internationally recognised. After completing your ICB courses, you can study with other institutions that recognise ICB courses and offer subject exemptions. The following international institutes offer ICB qualification holders exemptions:

  • Chartered Institute Of Management Accountants (CIMA)  – UK
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)  – UK
  • International Association of Bookkeepers (IAB)   – UK 
  • International Association of Accounting Professionals (IAAP)  – UK

Scarce Skills

Like the NATED courses, ICB courses are scarce skills courses. Scarce skills courses are those courses that are in demand. Employers are always searching for scarce skills. With scarce skills, you are easily employable.

Gain Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are also known as soft skills. These are skills that you gain when you study ICB courses. Here are examples of transferable skills:

  • Communication
  • Organisational
  • Time management
  • Computer
  • Analytical
  • Strategic thinking 

Study Through Distance Learning

Studying through distance learning is a smart way to study. When you study at Matric College, here is what the college can do for you:

  • Provide you with textbooks and study notes
  • Get access to our tutors
  • Get support from our Student Support Services staff every weekday from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
  • Get access to our study groups
  • Use online tools to access study material
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Short Courses

There are no specific entry requirements to study Short courses. Here are the Short courses that you can study:

  • Beauty courses
  • Educare and Childcare courses
  • Tourism and Guest House courses
  • Event and Wedding Planning courses

Beauty Courses

Educare And Child Care Courses

Tourism And Guesthouse

Event And Wedding Planning

Why You Should Study Short Courses

  • Short Duration of study
  • Equips you with skills
  • Affordable
  • Study through distance learning

Short Duration Of Study

Short courses are of short duration. Short courses can run for anything between 3 and 18 months. Here is the duration of Short courses:

  • Short course – can take up to 6 months to complete
  • Certificate course – can take up from 4 to 12 months to complete
  • Comprehensive course – can take up from 12 to 24 months to complete

Equips You With Skills

A short course is skills focused on a specific area. This helps in personal development. With a short course, you can also study and develop your skills at the same time that you are working. A Short course helps you to stay current within the market.

Affordable

A short course is affordable as compared to other courses. Short courses have little or no registration fees. Because of affordability, you can complete a number of short courses within a short space of time.

Study Through Distance Learning

You can study Short courses through distance learning. Remember, distance learning is a form of online learning. This is because you will also use online tools when you study through distance learning. Here are some of the online tools that you can use when you study through distance learning:

  • Email
  • Telephone
  • Website
  • WhatsApp 
  • Facebook 

What Is A Higher Certificate Pass?

A Higher Certificate pass is the third-highest pass of the four Matric pass levels. Here are the four Matric pass levels:

  • Bachelors Pass
  • Diploma Pass
  • Higher Certificate Pass
  • Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass

These passes determine how well you passed and your eligibility to study further at university.

Bachelors Pass

A Bachelor’s pass means that you must have achieved at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 50% in four other High Credit subjects
  • 30% in one other subject

Minimum APS based on these marks: 21

Diploma Pass

A Diploma pass means you must have scored at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in four other High Credit subjects
  • 30% in one other subject

Minimum APS based on these marks: 17

Higher Certificate Pass

To obtain a Higher Certificate pass, you must have at least achieved:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • 30% in three other subjects
  • You must have English or Afrikaans as a subject to achieve this qualification

Minimum APS based on these marks: 15

Senior Certificate (Amended) (SC(A)) Pass

An SC(A) pass is the lowest certificate you can achieve and will mean you have passed at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • You can fail your first additional language subject, but then you must score:
  • 30% in the remaining subjects
  • Fail one subject by a maximum of 20%

Minimum APS based on these marks: 14

How Many Points Is A Higher Certificate Pass?

A Higher Certificate pass is at least is at least an APS of 15 -16. Here is the full list of the APS points for the four Matric pass levels:

MATRIC PASS LEVEL MINIMUM APS
Bachelors Pass 21
Diploma Pass 17
Higher Certificate Pass 15
Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass 14

What Is APS?

APS stands for Admission Point Score. The percentage mark that you get in any Matric subject is rated on a point score that is between 1 and 7 points. 7 is the highest score that you can get and 1 is the lowest point that you can get. For example, if you get 50%, the mark or score for the percentage is 4.     

The table below shows how APS is calculated:

Matric Subject Symbol / Mark Obtained APS (Admission Point Score)
A (80 - 100%) 7
B (70 - 79%) 6
C (60 - 69%) 5
D (50 - 59%) 4
E (40 - 49%) 3
F (30 - 39%) 2
G (0 - 29%) 1

What Is The Highest Pass In Matric?

The highest pass in Matric is the Bachelor’s pass. The minimum APS score for the Bachelor’s pass is 21. The lowest pass level of a Matric is the Senior Certificate (Amended) pass. The minimum APS score for the Senior Certificate pass is 14.   

Is It Possible To Go To University With A Higher Certificate Pass?

No. it is not possible to go to University with a Higher Certificate pass. To go to University, you need a Matric Bachelor’s pass. Here is the minimum requirement for a Bachelor’s pass:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 50% in four other High Credit subjects
  • 30% in one other subject

Is A Higher Certificate Pass A Fail?

No, a Higher Certificate pass is not a fail. It is a pass, hence the name, Higher Certificate pass. It qualifies you to study for a Higher Certificate at a tertiary learning institution. Likewise, with a Bachelor’s pass and a Diploma pass, you qualify for a Bachelor’s Degree and a Diploma respectively.  

Which College Can I Study With A Higher Certificate Pass?

With a Higher Certificate pass, you can study the following at Matric College:

  • NATED courses 
  • ICB Courses

What Does 777 Mean In Matric Results?

777 in Matric is a code for a distinction or Outstanding mark. Here are other codes that are used in Matric results:

MATRIC CODE / SYMBOL MEANING
999 Absent
888 Subject change
777 Outstanding mark
zz Ending (irregularity)
px Null and void (irregularity)
mo Marks outstanding

What Does C Stand For In Matric Results?

C means that you have obtained between the 50 – 59% mark in your subject and an APS score of 6. Here is the meaning of the other Matric symbols:

Matric Subject Symbol Mark Obtained in Matric exam
A+ 80 - 100%
A 70 - 79%
B 60 - 69%
C 50 - 59%
D 40 - 49%
E 30 - 39%
F 0 - 29%

What Percentage Is A Distinction In Matric?

80 -100% is a distinction in Matric. Here is a list of the descriptions of other Matric marks:

Mark Obtained in Matric exam Achievement Description
80 - 100% Distinction
70 - 79% Meritorious
60 - 69% Substantial
50 - 59% Moderate
40 - 49% Adequate
30 - 39% Elementary
0 - 29% Not Achieved

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Date Published: April 21, 2022

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