Your options are endless with an ICB Higher Certificate in Business Management. This qualification is at NQF Level 5, which is just one level below a Diploma. Here is what you can do with a Higher Certificate in Business Management:
- Find entry-level employment
- Further your studies in the same ICB Business Management Programme
- Further your studies with another ICB Programme
Find Entry-Level Employment
After you have completed your Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate, you can find entry-level employment. Here are some of the many positions you can apply for:
- Administrative Clerk
- Data Capturer
- Office Manager
- Personal Assistant
- Supervisor
You will be hired based on these factors:
What you have studied at college or university
The work experience you have gained
The position you are applying for
The employers you choose – Each employer has their own hiring criteria
Further Your Studies In The Same ICB Business Management Programme
Once you have completed the Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate, you can continue your studies with us and get your Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma.
All of our ICB Courses build on the next course. This means that you need to complete the first course and then continue with the next course. Below is a diagram that explains the different courses within in ICB Business Management Programme.
First Course Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate | ⇢ | Second Course Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate | ⇢ | Third Course Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma |
Further Your Studies With The Another ICB Programme
After you have completed the entire ICB Business Management Programme, you can continue your studies by furthering your studies with another ICB Programme. We also offer the following ICB Programmes:
Most of the ICB Courses have the same subjects, which means you can go from one ICB Programme to the next. For example, if you have already completed the Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate and want to complete the first ICB Financial Accounting Course.
Here are the subjects that you have completed for the Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate compared to the subjects offered for the first course of the ICB Financial Accounting Programme:
| ICB Business Management | ICB Financial Accounting |
| First Course – (Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate) Subjects | First Courses – (Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate) Subjects |
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Second Course – (Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate) Subjects
| N/A
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As indicated above, if you want to go from the ICB Business Management Programme with your Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate to the ICB Financial Accounting Programme you only need to complete two subjects.
This is because you have already completed two of the subjects in the ICB Business Management Programme that are also offered in the ICB Financial Accounting Programme.
The two subjects that you still need to complete are not highlighted.
Is A Higher Certificate In Business Management Worth It?
Yes, a Higher Certificate in Business Management is worth it. Here is why you should complete the Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate:
- It is a scarce skill. Employers need people with these skills.
- ICB Qualifications are accredited and internationally recognised. You can work abroad
- The skills you learn in the course are transferable. You can use these skills in any other industry.
What Is A Higher Certificate In Business Studies?
A Higher Certificate in Business studies is what you will complete in the ICB Business Management programme. The characteristics of this certificate are as follows:
- The time frame of the Higher Certificate in Business Studies. A Higher Certificate in Business Studies usually takes between 12 and 24 months to complete.
- The focus of the Higher Certificate in Business Studies. The main focus of this course is industry-specific. This means that the focus is mainly on basic practical and theoretical business skills. It will give students practical approaches and scenarios.
- The entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Business Studies. To gain admission into our Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate, you have to meet the following entry requirements:
- Must have completed the previous course
- Write, read and understand English
- Be comfortable studying through distance learning
Which Universities Accept Higher Certificates?
There are some universities in South Africa that accept Higher Certificate Matric Pass Levels, including our distance learning college. Matric College offers courses you can study with any Matric Pass Level. We also offer courses you can study without a Matric Certificate.
How Many Points Is A Higher Certificate?
A Higher Certificate Matric Pass Level is 15 APS Points. Here are what your Matric marks will look like:
- 3 points in your Home Language
- 3 points in two other subjects
- 2 in three other subjects
Total: 15 points
Our ICB Higher Certificate in Business has 240 credits. You can complete this course with any Matric Pass Level.
What Is The Difference Between A Higher Certificate And Bachelor’s Degree Matric Pass Level?
The main difference between these two Certificates is:
The table below indicates what the different Matric Pass Levels look like:
| Higher Certificate Matric Pass Level | Bachelor’s Degree Matric Pass Level |
*One of your languages has to be Afrikaans or English to get a Higher Certificate Matric Pass Level. |
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Is Higher Certificate A Fail?
No, a Higher Certificate is not a fail. You can apply for any of our courses with your Higher Certificate Matric Pass Level. If you would like to gain admission to a university, you can improve your marks by completing our Matric Upgrade Course. Here is what you need to apply:
- You must have completed your Matric. This means that you can have the following proof that indicates you have completed Matric:
- A Failed Matric Certificate
- An Incomplete Matric Certificate
- A Passed Matric Certificate that needs improvement for one to four subjects
- A Matric statement of results
- Our Course is offered in English. You have to read, write and understand English.
- All of our courses are completed through distance learning. This means that you will not attend any physical classes.
What NQF Level Is A Higher Certificate?
A Higher Certificate in our ICB Courses is at NQF Level 5. This is one level below a Diploma. You have to complete the first course in the programme to gain entry into our Higher Certificate Courses.
Is A Certificate A Diploma?
No, a Certificate is not a Diploma. This is because the credits and purpose of these two qualifications are different.
What Is The Difference Between A Certificate Course And A Diploma Course?
Here are the differences between our ICB Business Management Certificate Course and a Diploma Course:
| Certificate Course | Diploma Course | |
| Credits | 240 | 280 |
| NQF Level | 5 | 6 |
| Duration | 9 – 26 months | 12 – 36 months |
| Award given | National Certificate or Higher Certificate | National Diploma |
What Can I Study Without Matric?
You can study some of our ICB Courses without Matric. Here are the entry requirements for our ICB Business Management Programme:
- Be 16 or older
- Have a Grade 11 Certificate or Equivalent Certificate (ICB Bridging Course)
- Read, write and understand English
- Enjoy studying through distance learning
Start your career in a Business environment by completing your Higher Certificate in Business at Matric College.
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: April 11, 2022