Adult Matric: What You Need To Know

Getting your Adult Matric can be an important step toward achieving your career goals. A Matric Certificate is now the first thing most potential employers look for on your CV when you apply for a job. So getting your Matric can be a great thing to help you get more job stability. 

What Is The Difference Between Matric And Adult Matric?

School Matric is what you receive at the end of your Matric year in high school. It is called a National Senior Certificate. Adult Matric is what you receive after completing your Matric as an adult over the age of 21. It is called a Senior Certificate (Amended)

The main differences are: 

School Matric

Adult Matric

National Senior Certificate

Senior Certificate (Amended)

Received at the end of high school, usually between the ages of 17 – 19, but can be up to 21. 

Received after completing Adult Matric over the age of 21. There is no age limit to getting your Adult Matric. 

You will write seven subjects, you must pass six to pass Matric

You will write six subjects, and you must pass five to pass Adult Matric.

Life Orientation is a compulsory subject for school Matric, and you must pass it to pass Matric. 

You do not study Life Orientation for Adult Matric. 

However, despite the differences, these qualifications both work in exactly the same way. They are both commonly referred to as a Matric Certificate. You can use them to apply to further your studies or to apply for jobs. 

What Qualification Is Matric?

Matric is usually your school-leaving qualification. However, Adult Matric is also a Matric qualification, and is at the same NQF level as high school Matric. 

What NQF Level Is Matric?

Matric is NQF level 4. Any qualification at NQF level 4 is considered a Matric Equivalent qualification. NQF stands for National Qualifications Framework. It is a system designed by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority) to determine the educational level of any qualification. 

 

There are 10 NQF levels: 

NQF Level

Educational Level

1

Grade 9

2

Grade 10

3

Grade 11

4

Matric

5

Higher Certificate

6

Diploma/Advanced Certificate

7

Bachelor’s Degree/Advanced Diploma

8

Honour’s Degree

9

Master’s Degree

10

Doctoral Degree

Can I Write My Matric At Home?

No, you cannot write your Matric exams at home. Whether for school Matric, Matric Rewrite, Matric Upgrade, or Adult Matric, all Matric exams must be written in a government-designated venue.

Can Adult Matric Be Online?

You can study for your Adult Matric online through distance learning. However, you must write your exams in a government-designated venue. 

Where Can I Study Adult Matric?

There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer Adult Matric, such as: 

 

Can I Do Matric At A TVET College?

Yes, you can do your Matric at a TVET college. There are many TVET colleges that offer Matric courses. Check with the TVET college you are applying to about whether they offer Matric courses. 

How Much Does It Cost To Write Matric?

This will depend on where you study for your Matric. It is free to register with the Department of Education to write your Matric exams, but it is not free to study for your Matric. You will pay the fees for the institution where you study, which will cover your tuition and study materials. 

Can You Do Matric In 6 Months?

No, you cannot do Matric in six months. Any Matric qualification will take a minimum of 12 months to complete. You can study Matric Equivalent qualifications at some colleges that can be done in six months. 

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Adult Matric?

It will take a minimum of 12 months to get your Matric, and can take up to three years to complete. This is dependent on how you decide to take your subjects. 

 

Some students will take all six subjects in one year. Most students choose to take three subjects per year for two years. Some students even choose to take two subjects per year for three years. 

Do Universities Accept Senior Certificate?

Yes, universities do accept Senior Certificate (Amended). Your Adult Matric functions in exactly the same way as a school Matric. You can apply to study at a university with your Adult Matric. Your admission will depend on how well you passed.

What Can I Study With A Senior Certificate?

There are many options available once you have completed your Adult Matric. Your options depend on how well you passed. You can study:

 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree – Bachelor’s pass
  • A Diploma – Diploma pass
  • A Higher Certificate – Higher Certificate pass
  • NATED courses – NSC pass/Matric ass
  • ICB courses – NSC pass/Matric pass
  • Short courses – Matric pass or failed Matric 

NATED Courses

NATED courses are also offered at the distance learning colleges listed above that offer Adult Matric. There are many study streams available, including child care, management, and marketing courses. 

ICB Courses

There are two ICB courses you can choose to study without Matric:

 

  • Business Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Office Administration

 

The ICB Business Management course requires you to have your Grade 11 to apply. There are three levels in this course, beginning at the Matric Equivalent level and going up to the Diploma level. 

 

The ICB Financial Accounting course only requires you to have Grade 10 to be able to apply. There are four levels in this course, beginning at Grade 11 equivalent level and going up to the Diploma level. 

 

The ICB course in Office Administration requires Matric or a Matric Equivalent to apply. This means you can study the first level of the ICB Business Management course, or the first two levels of the ICB Financial Accounting course, and use that to apply for this course. 

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

There are many places you can study ICB courses. Some reputable distance learning colleges that offer these ICB courses are: 

 

Short Courses

Short courses are skills-based courses that aim to equip you as quickly and efficiently as possible with the skills necessary to begin working. There are many short courses offered at four of the above colleges. 

 

These short courses are open-access courses, which means there are only two requirements to be able to apply: 

 

  • You are able to understand, read and write in English
  • You are over the age of 16

 

If you meet these two requirements, you can apply to study any of these short courses. 

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

Can I Go To University With ABET Matric?

No, you cannot go to university with only ABET. This is because ABET Level 4 is equivalent to Grade 9. Grade 9 is equivalent to NQF level 1. To study at a university, you must have Grade 12, wich is NQF level 4. However, you can begin your Adult Matric with ABET level 4. 

Can I Buy My Matric?

No, you can only be awarded your Matric Certificate by Umalusi through the Department of Education. Umalusi has stated that participating in the buying and selling of Matric Certificates is a criminal offence. 

How Do I Know If My Matric Certificate Is Real?

You can check and have your Matric Certificate verified by Umalusi. Note that you cannot directly request verification, you must go through an agency. Check the list of agencies approved by Umalusi on their verification page

What Is Amended Matric?

Amended Matric is another common name given to an Adult Matric. This is for those over the age of 21 who have not written Matric. 

Once you have completed your Adult Matric, you can upgrade it if you are unsatisfied with the results. Once you have upgraded it, you can have your results combined so that only your best marks are on your certificate. This is then referred to as Amended Senior Certificate or Amended Matric. 

How Long Does It Take To Combine A Matric Certificate?

Once you have applied for your combined results, it will take four to six weeks for your certificate to be ready for collection. 

What If I Fail Adult Matric?

There are still options if you fail Adult Matric and do not want to rewrite or upgrade. There are courses you can study without Matric, such as: 

 

  • ICB courses
  • Short courses

ICB Courses

ICB courses are accredited by ICB (the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations). This means these courses are recognised as formal qualifications. 

 

These qualifications are also highly regarded in South Africa because they teach scarce skills. These are skills that are in high demand in South Africa, meaning you will have better job security. There are two ICB courses you can choose to study without Matric:

 

  • Business Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Office Administration

 

The entry requirement for the ICB Business Management course is that you have your Grade 11 to be able to apply. There are three levels in this course, going up to the Diploma level. 

 

The entry requirement for the ICB Financial Accounting course is that you have your Grade 10 to be able to apply. There are four levels in this course, going up to the Diploma level. 

 

The entry requirement for the ICB course in Office Administration course is that you have your Matric or a Matric Equivalent Certificate to be able to apply. 

 

This means you can study the first level of the ICB Business Management course, or the first two levels of the ICB Financial Management course, and use that to apply for the ICB Office Administration course. This is because those levels are Matric Equivalent Certificates. 

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

There are many places you can study ICB courses. Some reputable distance learning colleges that offer these ICB courses are: 

 

  • Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
  • Matric College
  • Skills Academy
  • Ember Academy
  • Learning Group

Short Courses

There are also many short courses offered at four of the above colleges. 

Short Courses At Matric College

  • Beauty Therapy courses
  • Educare & Child Care courses
  • Event & Wedding Planning courses
  • Tourism & Guest House courses

Short Courses At Skills Academy

  • Accounting, Bookkeeping And Finance
  • Beauty
  • Computer Courses
  • Educare And Childcare
  • Forensics And Policing
  • Human Resource Management
  • Insurance Courses
  • Interior Decorating and Design, and Digital Photography
  • Management Courses
  • Marketing
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Project Management
  • Tourism
  • Wedding And Events Planning

Short Courses At Ember Academy

  • Beauty Therapist Programmes
  • Child Daycare Programme
  • Child Psychology Programme
  • Crèche Management Programme
  • Digital Photography Programme
  • Event Management Programme
  • Facial Skincare Programme
  • Guest House Management Programme
  • Human Resource Management Programme
  • Make-up Application Programme
  • Nail Care Programme
  • Operational Health and Safety Programme
  • Personal Assistant Programme
  • Project Management Programme
  • Receptionist Courses
  • Supply Chain Management Programme
  • Tourism Management Programme
  • Tourism Marketing Programme
  • Wedding Planner Programme

Short Courses At Learning Group

  • Beauty Therapy
  • Creative Writing
  • Digital Photography
  • Interior Decorating and Design
  • Wedding Planning

What Have We Learned?

  • Adult Matric can be an important step toward job security
  • Matric is NQF level 4
  • You can study for your Matric online, but you must write your exams in a government-designated venue
  • You can do your Matric at a TVET college
  • The cost of Matric will depend on where you study
  • You cannot do Matric in six months, it will take a minimum of one year to complete
  • There are many study options available once you have your Adult Matric
  • There are still study options available even if you do not have your Matric

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: June 9, 2022

2 thoughts on “Adult Matric: What You Need To Know”

  1. Hi Everyone

    Distance learning is a form of study that allows students to study from home. It is also known as home study, online or correspondence study and has been a popular choice for many students over the years. The COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the need for distance learning institutions, such as Matric College, in South Africa and across the world.

    At Matric College we are proud of offering Adult Matric via distance learning and there are many benefits to our students. Here are just a few of these benefits:

    You can do an Adult Matric course via distance learning
    You can apply as early as 19 years old to do an Adult Matric Course
    You can write your Adult Matric exams when you are 21 or older
    There are many online tools available to use including past papers
    Our Matric College tutors are there to help you when you need it
    As a registered Matric College student, you have access to our WhatsApp and Facebook study groups

    Read all about Adult Matric Distance Learning here: https://www.matric.co.za/adult-matric-2/

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