What Is A NATED Qualification?

A NATED Qualification is recognised nationally. This will give you a better chance to further your studies or find employment anywhere in South Africa.

A NATED Qualification is what you are awarded once you have completed a NATED course. This qualification can be any of the following: 

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

Our NATED courses are provided in partnership with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

What Is A NATED Course?

A NATED (National Accredited Technical Education Diploma) course is designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The purpose of this is to reduce the youth unemployment rate in South Africa. You are equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical skills that prepare you for the work environment. Once you have completed this course, your chances of finding employment will be high. 

These are the NATED courses we offer at Matric College: 

Application Process At Matric College

Our application process is made convenient for you. It is easy and fast to use: 

  • You can fill out an application form here 

  • Our course experts will contact you and get you registered for the course you want 
  • When you have been registered. We will send you the study material. Delivery takes 5 to 7 days.

Can I Do NATED Courses Without Matric?

No, you can not study a NATED course without a Matric Certificate. You need a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) to study. However, if you do not have these qualifications, you can apply for the following: 

Adult Matric

The Requirements For Adult Matric:

  • You must have at least a Grade 9 or equivalent qualification,

    • ie: Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Level 4

  • You have an incomplete Matric 
  • You must be able to read, write and understand English or Afrikaans 
  • You must be 21 years or older to write the exams 
  • You may sign up for the Adult Matric at the age of 19 years old, but you will only be able to write the Adult Matric exam once you are over 21

Once you have completed this course, you will be awarded a Matric Certificate. You can use this to apply for any of our NATED courses.

How Do NATED Courses Work?

NATED courses are built on each other. These courses start from an N4 NATED National Certificate to an N6 NATED National Diploma. The N4, N5 and N6 National Certificates are made up of theory. You must study these to gain theoretical knowledge. There are three (3) open book assignments and one (1) final examination for each subject in each NATED Certificate course. You must complete these to pass the course. You must obtain at least 50% for the three assignments and 50% for the final exam. Once you have completed these, you can move forward to the NATED N6 National Diploma. 

How NATED Courses Work

The NATED N6 National Diploma is not a course but a qualification. There are no assessments for this qualification. You are only required to complete 18 months of work experience to receive the NATED N6 National Diploma.

Below is a table to show you how the NATED Certificates and NATED Diploma work:

NATED N4 Certificate3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final examination set by the DHET
NATED N5 Certificate 3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final examination set by the DHET
NATED N6 Certificate 3 open book assignments for each subjectOne final examination set by the DHET
NATED N6 National Diploma

No assignments 

(Must complete 18 months work experience to obtain this qualification)

No final examination 

(Must complete 18 months work experience to obtain this qualification)

When you have completed the NATED Certificates, you can complete the 18 months work experience this way: 

  • Register on the iWIL website 

    • The iWIL website is designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training 
    • The purpose of the website is to help students find volunteer work where they can gain experience

  • Once you have registered, you will receive a job in a company at which you will complete your work experience 
  • We will send you a logbook that you must complete throughout your work experience

    • You do not have to apply for a logbook, we automatically send you one 

  • The manager of the business overseeing your work experience must sign off the logbook 
  • Send the logbook back to us, and we will send it to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for approval 
  • Once the DHET has approved your logbook, they will send you your NATED N6 National Diploma

How Long Do NATED Courses Take?

It takes 18 to 36 months to complete a NATED course.

Are NATED Courses Accredited?

Yes, NATED courses are accredited by the DHET and the QCTO. Accreditation means that our courses are registered with a professional body. This ensures that you receive quality, standard education. You are able to find employment or further your studies.

What Is NATED Equivalent To?

NATED Qualifications are not equivalent to other qualifications. Equivalent qualifications have the same learning process and outcomes. NATED Qualifications are not equivalent to other qualifications because they have unique learning processes and outcomes as they are designed by the DHET uniquely.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: April 13, 2022