What are Courses Without Matric in South Africa

Completing the matric or grade 12 is an essential rite of passage in South Africa. There could be many reasons why someone could not complete their matric and had to leave school. 

However, furthering your education and career without your matric is possible. These individuals can enrol for accredited courses in a private college. They can also learn a trade at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) or apply for a distance learning programme.

Therefore, not having a matric is not a hindrance. Those who have not completed their matric can still look forward to gaining a specialisation and being employed in various industries. Knowledge can be gained from other avenues, such as vocational training, short courses, and workshops. Individuals need to explore alternative sources of learning for self-growth and self-reliance. 

Continue reading to learn about the various courses without a matric in South Africa, how to choose the perfect course, and job opportunities.

What are the Different Types of Courses Without Matric in South Africa?

Individuals without a matric can improve their career prospects by enrolling in offline or online courses. The duration of these courses can vary from a few weeks for a micro-course to three years for a vocational programme.

After completing the course, students are awarded a certificate that signifies that they have gained the required skills and knowledge to perform efficiently in a workplace setting. Some course types that prospective students can enrol for are:

• Certificate courses: These are short courses offered across various fields of study. The length of the certificate courses can vary depending on the subject and the proficiency level. Many of the courses are divided into Short Certificate Courses, Certificate Courses, and Comprehensive Certificate Courses. Each represents a different level of qualification.
• Accredited Courses: These courses are recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training and accredited by independent organisations. Completing them can help students to earn a matric equivalent certificate.
• Vocational Training: These programmes are taught by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa. They serve as a bridge between school and university and aim to provide students with the required skills to gain employment. After completing the course, students are awarded a National Certificate: Vocational (NCV), equivalent to a matric certificate.

After completing the certificate or vocational training course, students improve their chances of employment. Some of the most popular industries to apply for without a matric certificate are:

• Hospitality and Tourism: This is a top industry that employs individuals who complete courses without matric in South Africa. After training, they can seek employment as housekeepers, bartenders, or innkeepers.
• Beauty: This is another top industry where skills training in short courses without matric in South Africa can turn students into nail technicians, facialists, and make-up artists. This can also enable beauticians to operate a salon from home without proper licensing.
• Finance and Accounting: This is a reputable industry where students gain budgeting, financial reporting and risk management skills. With a certification, students can seek employment with small to medium-sized businesses. 
• Childcare: Those who enjoy working with children can work towards certifications that allow them to be employed in this industry. Some courses that train individuals for this sector are daycare, creche management, and child psychology.
• Engineering-related: This is an excellent industry choice for those interested in science and mathematics. To gain employment in engineering-related companies such as mining or automotive companies, prospective applicants must explore the courses available at TVET colleges. They can be hired as welders, tool makers, or repairmen.

What are Some Short Courses Without Matric?

When students are applying for courses without matric, they should research prospective employment opportunities and determine whether they match their future goals. Some of the most favoured short courses without matric in South Africa help students find employment and a steady income.

Let us take a look at some of the popular short courses without matric that are a step towards gaining financial independence:

• Child Day Care: This course teaches candidates how to care for children and help them develop mental and emotional skills. They are also taught how to communicate effectively with children and in business settings. After completing this course, students can seek employment as daycare administrator, or babysitter.
• Financial Management: It allows students to understand basic accounting terms and teaches them to understand and analyse income statements and other financial documents. Students can continue to a more advanced course or work in an office assisting the finance department.
• Make-up Application: This course teaches students the correct mannerisms and communication skills required to work in a salon. They are also introduced to human anatomy, facial structure, tools, and application techniques. This can allow for employment opportunities in a salon or be the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey.

A short course certification helps improve credibility and demonstrates to the prospective employer that the applicant has learned skills and gained knowledge from a reputed source. Additionally, short courses without matric in South Africa are popular because of their:

• Duration: These courses take less than a year to complete, with most lasting 4 to 8 months.
• Flexibility: Students can choose to study these courses online. Some also include access to online study groups and tutors. 
• Affordability: These courses are more affordable than traditional courses as study materials are included in the fees. For online courses, students save money on commuting.
• Practical skills: These courses are skill-based and can help students develop business English skills.
• Career prospects: These courses expand existing knowledge or provide new skills to prepare students for a specific skill.

Are There any Accredited Courses Without Matric in South Africa?

While there are numerous courses in South Africa that students can pursue without matric, individuals should apply for accredited courses. An accredited course ensures that students receive a quality education and that the institute maintains a certain standard. Students who complete these courses also improve their chances of being employed.

Accredited courses without matric in South Africa award students a National Qualification Framework (NQF) level upon completion. These levels are awarded from grade 9 to the doctorate level and are a way to measure the education level a student has completed. Students who complete grade 12 or matric are awarded NQF level 4.

Here are some accredited courses that can be done without matric and award an NQF level:

• National Certificate: Bookkeeping: This well-recognized qualification in South Africa requires a grade 10 or NQF level 2 qualification to be eligible for admission. Students study for subjects totalling 120 credit points and achieve NQF level 3 at the end of the course.
• National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management: This nine-month programme teaches students to be adept at financial transactions and the skills required in business settings when interacting with clients. It requires students to complete 120 credit hours and awards them with an NQF level 4 certification.

Students who achieve NQF level 4 in an accredited course without matric are treated as a matric equivalent qualification. They can use this to gain entry into degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Business Administration.

How to Choose the Right Course Without Matric?

Picking a course to study the right course without matric in South Africa should involve the same thought process as with any other educational programme. Prospective students should research the types of courses available and the NQF level they will achieve upon completion. An NQF level 4 from an accredited course can be used in place of a matric certification to gain employment and apply for higher education.

Since this is a second chance for some to complete these education aspirations, they should consider these factors before finalising their decision:

• Course duration: Students must decide how much time they will dedicate to the course since course lengths vary from 4 months to 3 years.
• Cost: This is another important factor and can be a deciding factor in choosing offline or distance learning.
• Accreditation and reputation: An accredited programme from a reputed institute is better received and improves the chances of future employment.
• Flexibility: Prospective students working part-time or with small kids might prefer enrolling in an online course. Many courses without matric can be completed from the comfort of home.

Career Opportunities with Courses Completed Without Matric

South Africans who have not completed their matric have many education and career opportunities at their disposal. Those who do have a matric certificate can choose to pursue short certificate courses, longer accredited courses, or vocational training courses. These provide them with skills and knowledge specific to a job profile.

Some job roles that people can pursue after completing a course without matric in South Africa include:

• Bookkeepers help businesses maintain financial transactions. They also learn how to create and analyse financial documents, such as income statements.
• Office Administrator: They assist in office operations and ensure that documents are organised and office policy is being implemented. They could also help organise events.
• Welder: This could be a factory or offshore profile where the employee is in charge of designing, fabricating, and welding large pieces of metal using heavy machinery.
• Customer Service Representative: This is a specialist profile for candidates who are problem solvers, excellent communicators, and have people skills. They interact with customers or clients on the phone and by email to help resolve their queries.
• Logistics Manager: This is an important role that can be held with a consumer goods company or at a warehouse. Logistics managers are in charge of managing the storage and movement of goods as per requirements.

Conclusion

The education system in South Africa is designed to offer education and training to individuals who might have had to quit school due to unforeseeable circumstances. Courses without matric in South Africa also allow a second chance at learning for those who did not manage to pass their matric. This enables individuals to learn new skills and seek employment.

Regenesys offers various undergraduate degree programmes that can be studied with a matric equivalent certificate.

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