What is the difference between the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and the Senior Certificate (SC)?

If you failed or passed Matric, you can further your education through Matric College. You can study our Matric or Post Matric Courses and gain qualifications.

There are two types of Matric Certificates in South Africa. You obtain these certificates based on where you are in life. This depends on your age and where you study. 

Below are the two methods you can use to obtain a National Senior Certificate or Amended Senior Certificate. We will also explore their differences: 

High School Matric

When you study your Matric in High School, you obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC).  

To obtain the NSC, you have to complete internal and external assessments for all seven (7) Matric subjects. The internal assessments include the following: 

  • Class tests 
  • Assignments
  • June exam 
  • Trial exam 
  • Oral presentations

These assessments count towards 25% of your final Matric results. These marks are there to add to the marks you receive in your final exam. You must prioritise completing these tasks so that you earn marks. 

The external assessment is the final examination. This counts as 75% in your final Matric results. For all your subjects, you must pass this exam with at least 50%. This way, you pass Matric with good marks. 

Adult Matric Course

You study the Adult Matric Course through a college. To enrol in this course, you must be 21 years or older. You obtain the Amended Senior Certificate when you complete this course. To do this, you will be required to write a final examination for all six (6) subjects you will study. 

There are no assignments, tests or oral presentations that count toward your final Matric results except the final exam. This means that the final exam counts as 100% in your final Matric results. You must receive at least 50% to pass the final examination. 

What Is The NSC Certificate?

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is a Matric Qualification in South Africa. This is awarded to students when they pass their Matric in High School. Umalusi is a Quality Council that is responsible for printing these certificates. 

What Is An Amended Senior Certificate?

The Amended Senior Certificate is a Matric Qualification in South Africa. This is awarded to students who completed their Adult Matric Course at a college. Umalusi is the Quality Council that issues these certificates.

What Are The Three Types Of Certificates You Can Get In Matric?

There are four Certificate Passes you get in the Amended Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate. If you receive one of these Certificate passes, you pass Matric.

Senior certificate passes

Senior Certificate Passes

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

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

National Diploma Pass

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

Higher Certificate Pass

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • 30% in three other subjects

Senior Certificate Amended Pass

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • 30% of the remaining subjects 
  • You can fail one subject by a maximum of 20%

National Senior Certificate passes

National Senior Certificate passes

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 50% in four subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in the other two subjects 

National Diploma Pass

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 40% in four subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in the remaining two subjects 

Higher Certificate Pass

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 40% in two subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in four other subjects 

National Senior Certificate Pass

  • A minimum of 40% in your home language 
  • A minimum of 30% in two other subjects 
  • A minimum of 30% in three subjects 
  • You can fail one subject 

Is A Diploma Pass In Matric Good?

Yes, a Diploma is a good pass in Matric. This is the second-highest pass in Matric. With a Diploma Pass, you may be accepted into some universities. This is provided you meet the requirements of the university and the course you have applied for. 

Please note that a Diploma Pass will not allow you to study any Degree Courses. You will be able to enrol for the Diploma, Higher Certificate and Certificate Courses.

What Are The Benefits Of Matric?

Study Further

A Matric Certificate helps you study further. You can do this either at a college or university and study for your dream career. If you have Matric, you can study at Matric College for any of our courses. These are: 

To study at university, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree Pass. You will be accepted if you meet the requirements that the university and course have.

Find Employment

A Matric Certificate can be used to find entry-level employment in South Africa. This includes careers such as the following: 

  • Receptionist 
  • Student Support Administrator 
  • Waiter/Waitress 
  • Shop Assistant 
  • Retail Associate 
  • Call Centre Agent 

Earn A Bursary

A Matric Certificate is beneficial because it can help you earn admission into a bursary. This helps you have a source that pays for your studies. You can study better without having to worry about the financial state of your education

It is important that you apply for Matric if you have not achieved it yet. You can apply at 21 years or older, and complete our Adult Matric Course. We will award you with a Matric Qualification once you have passed the course. 

Please also note that we have courses that you can study without Matric, which can help you build skills and knowledge for employment and entrepreneurship purposes.

People Also Ask

Higher Grade(HG) subjects are subjects that have high credits and count the most for your matric pass and allowance into a university. Most subjects in matric can be considered HG subjects, such as language subjects, mathematics and your chosen subjects.

Standard Grade(SG) subjects are low credit subjects that count the least when it comes to your matric pass, and are not required in university, for example, Life Orientation.

Yes, these certificates have the same NQF level (04) and are both accredited by Umalusi. Each has the same outcome for anyone who gets one and if you decide to rewrite, upgrade or do your matric as an adult, then your old certificate and your new one will be combined.

Matric is an academic qualification that a student receives in high school after completing grade 12 or as an adult doing distance learning after finishing an adult matric course. It has an NQF level of 4.

A National Certificate: Vocational (NCV) is a skills qualification that is received through a vocational college. It has different levels that are equivalent to NQF levels, with the N3 National Certificate being equivalent to NQF level 4.

An NSC certificate is an NQF level 4 qualification received in high school or through distance learning as a Senior Certificate for adults. NQF level 4 can be received in different ways and open different opportunities, especially if you want to study further, such as:

Author: Mulisa Nethononda 
Editor: Caitlin Roux
Date Published: December 20, 2023