A National N4 Certificate is the first course in any NATED Programme. This Certificate allows students to learn the basic skills of the particular field they choose to go into.
Many students who have completed their National N4 Certificate can gain entry into the next course which is the N5 National Certificate and then the N6 National Certificate, which then follows with the N6 National Diploma.
All of our NATED Courses build on to the next course. Here is a diagram that explains the process:
What Are NATED National Certificates?
NATED National Certificates are courses that were designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). These courses were designed because the DHET saw that there were a large amount of unemployed young people. This was due to the fact that students were not getting the necessary practical skills to start their careers.
NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Education Diplomas. These courses provide students with both practical and theoretical skills to start their careers.
Employers employ students with these qualifications because they will not have to train students, as these students will already have the necessary work experience.
After students have completed the theoretical part of their course, they can apply for work experience with the iWIL services. This programme was also designed by the DHET to ensure that students gain the work experience required for full-time employment.
The work experience you gain is also referred to as:
- Experiential learning
- Practical experience
- Practical training
- Work-based learning
- Work-integrated learning
You must have a cellphone number or email address where you can be contacted when you do apply with the iWIL services. This way, the DHET will be able to contact you any time when they have work-based learning opportunities. Here are the steps you need to take to apply for work-based learning:
Step 1: Go on to the iWIL website
Step 2: Read everything on the home page before applying (Remember you must have an email address or cellphone number)
Step 3: Click on the “Login” tab next to the “Home” tab
Step 4: Click on the “Register” drop-down option
Step 5: Enter all of your personal information
Step 6: Press the “Register” button below
After you have completed all of the steps, you are registered with the iWIL programme. This means that your qualifications will match with an employer that is offering work-based learning.
The iWIL service is not an employment service. Most work-based learning opportunities will not provide you with a salary or compensation.
This depends on the employer and what they are willing to pay.
Also NOTE:
The work-based learning does not guarantee full-time employment.
What NQF Level Is A NATED National Certificate?
This depends on the type of NATED National Certificate. Here are all the NATED National Certificates with their NQF Levels:
| NATED National Certificate | NQF Level |
| N1 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 2 |
| N2 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 3 |
| N3 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 4 |
| N4 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 5 |
| N5 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 5 |
| N6 NATED National Certificate | NQF Level 5 |
| N6 NATED National Diploma | NQF Level 6 |
All of our NATED National Certificates are at NQF Level 5. We offer the following NATED National Certificates in partnership with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning:
- NATED N4 National Certificate
- NATED N5 National Certificate
- NATED N6 National Certificate
Our NATED National Diploma is at NQF Level 6, this is one level below a Degree. The Diploma Course has no theoretical component, this course only consists of 18 months of work experience. Here is a diagram that explains the process for the NATED National Diploma:
Here is a diagram showing the different NATED National Certificates and which NQF Level they are at:
What Is An N4 Qualification Equivalent To?
An N4 Qualification is not equivalent to any other qualification. It is at an NQF Level 5 but should not be considered equivalent to any other qualification. NATED Qualifications are different from any other qualifications which are on the National Quality Framework (NQF).
NATED Qualifications have:
- A different exit-level outcome
- A different purpose
These Qualifications were specifically designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge to be work-ready.
What Does N4 Mean In College?
An N4 in College means that you have achieved the basic skills in a specific industry for a NATED Programme. An N4 National Certificate is at NQF Level 5 and has 60 credits.
After you have completed and passed the N4 National Certificate, you can apply for the N5 National Certificate. You have to complete the N4 National Certificate to gain entry to the N5 National Certificate.
How Can I Get An N4 Certificate?
You can get an N4 Certificate by applying for any of our National Certificates. Here are the N4 National Certificates that we offer:
- Business Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Financial Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Human Resource Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Legal Secretary: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Management Assistant: NATED N4 National Certificate
- Marketing Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
What Are The Entry Requirements For An N4 National Certificate?
All of our N4 National Certificates have the same entry requirements, with the exception of the Legal Secretary Certificate. Here are the entry requirements for all of our N4 National Certificates:
- Be at least 16 years or older
- Have a Matric Certificate, National Senior Certificate or Amended Senior Certificate. You can apply with any Matric Pass Level or any APS Score.
- Understand, write and read English
- Study through distance learning at Matric College
If you do not have a Matric Certificate and would like to complete the N4 National Legal Secretary Course, then you should apply for our Matric Upgrade Course.
This course helps students improve their Matric marks. This means you can go from a failed Matric Certificate to a passed Matric Certificate. Here are the entry requirements for our Matric Upgrade Course:
- Have already completed your Matric. You can apply with the following documents:
- Failed Matric Certificate
- Incomplete Matric Certificate
- Matric statement of results
- Passed Matric Certificate that needs to be improved
- Understand, read and write English
- Study Matric through distance learning
NOTE:
You can apply for our NATED N4 National Certificate with any Matric Pass Level.
This means that if you have failed Matric, you only need a National Senior Certificate Matric Pass Level. It is the minimum requirement you need to pass Matric.
If you have not completed Matric and would like to complete any of our NATED N4 National Certificates, you can apply for our Adult Matric Course.
How Long Does It Take To Complete N4 To N6?
It can take between six (6) to twelve (12) months to complete the N4 to N6 National Certificates. This depends on whether you are completed one course, two courses, three courses or the entire programme.
One course (N4 National Certificate) can take between six (6) to twelve (12) months to complete. If you are only completing the theoretical component, it can take 6 months to complete.
If you are completing the theoretical and then practical component, it can take between six (6) to twelve (12) months to complete. This means you will complete six (6) months of theory and then another six (6) months of work experience. Alternatively, you can complete the six (6) months of work experience and theory together. This allows you to complete one course in six (6) months and the entire programme in just 18 months.
Can You Apply At A University With An N4 Certificate?
No, you cannot apply to a university with An N4 National Certificate. Even if you have a post-matric qualification, universities still look at the following factors:
What Is The Difference Between National N Diploma And National Diploma?
The main differences between a National N Diploma and National Diploma is the following:
- A NATED National Diploma has a different exit-level outcome
- A NATED National Diploma has a different purpose
Is An N4 The Same As NQF Level 4?
No, an N4 is not the same as NQF Level 4. An N4 National Certificate is at an NQF Level 5. A Matric or Matric equivalent Certificate is at an NQF Level 4.
Is NQF 4 Equivalent To Matric?
Yes, an NQF Level 4 is equivalent to Matric. In fact, Matric is a qualification that is at NQF Level 4. The NQF system determines the level of education you are at. This system determines what qualification you have gained in South Africa.
Why Should I Complete An N4 National Certificate?
You should complete an N4 National Certificate for the following reasons:
- You gain a scarce skill qualification
- You gain theoretical and practical skills
- You will find employment easily
- You can further your studies in the same NATED Programme
- You can further your studies with another NATED Programme
People Also Ask
Yes, an N4 Certificate of your chosen NATED qualification can help you get an entry-level position based on your studied qualifications.
However, we advise you to continue studying for the N5 and N6 certificates, eventually leading to an N6 Diploma. It will allow you to get real-world experience and better job opportunities, as you will have the skills and experience for your desired position.
N4 is the first qualification you can study for and receive under the NATED programme, and it covers entry-level information about the course you are currently doing. N5, however, is a step above N4 since it expands on the topics that were covered before and introduces new topics to add to your knowledge and skills.
For example: If you are studying Business Management N4, all your subjects will be N4 level, whilst the N5 qualification will have N5 subjects that are the same as before but add more content.
Yes, whilst Matric Equivalent courses are the gateway into ICB courses, they are still NQF level 4 courses which is the main requirement to study NATED courses. So if you decide to study a matric equivalent course, you have the option to study both ICB and NATED courses.
Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: April 14, 2022