Can I Do Adult Matric If I Am Not A South African Citizen?

Yes, you can do Adult Matric even if you are not a South African citizen. To apply to study for Adult Matric, you will need:

Proof of current residence
Proof of your highest educational qualification
A certified copy of your passport
A certified copy of your visa

Your highest educational qualification must be approved by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority). This is so that the educational institution you apply to study at can know where your education level is.

You will register to write the exams based on the province you are studying in. To find out where the closest government-designated exam venues are, click here.

How Do I Know If I Am Registered For Matric?

You can contact the Department of Education to check that you are registered. When you register, you will be given an exam number. To find your details on the Department of Education system, you will need:

Your ID number
Your Exam number

You will also have to contact the Department of Education if your Matric Certificate gets lost, stolen, or damaged.

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Adult Matric?

It can take between 12 and 24 months to complete your Adult Matric. It is recommended that you take two years to do your Adult Matric to ensure you have plenty of time to study and do the best you can.

How Many Subjects Do You Need To Pass Matric?

You need to write 6 subjects in order to pass Matric. Here are the conditions to pass your Adult Matric:

You can fail one subject even if it is your First Additional Language, but you must get at least 30% or more for 5 other subjects
Your average must be at least 33.3%

Can You Do Matric Online In South Africa?

You can study for Matric online, and you can register for your exams online. However, the exams are paper-based and must be written in a designated venue.

Who Qualifies For An Amended Senior Certificate?

Anyone who is over the age of 21 and does not have their Matric qualifies to do Adult Matric. To apply for Adult Matric, you need:

Proof of current residence
Proof of your highest educational qualification
A certified copy of your passport
A certified copy of your visa

If you are a South African citizen, you will need the following to apply for Adult Matric:

A copy of your Grade 9 report or equivalent
A certified copy of your ID

What Is The Difference Between Adult Matric And School Matric?

Adult Matric is for students over the age of 21. School Matric is for those under the age of 21. Adult students will receive a Senior Certificate (Amended). School students will receive a National Senior Certificate. Both function in exactly the same way and both are awarded by Umalusi.

Do Universities Accept Amended Senior Certificates?

Yes, universities do accept Senior Certificates and Amended Senior Certificates. These work exactly the same way as a National Senior Certificate. All three certificates are commonly known as a Matric Certificate.

What If I Have Already Done Matric And Want To Do Better?

If you completed your Matric at the end of high school, but failed or were unsatisfied with your results, there are two options. If you are under the age of 21, you can apply for a Matric Rewrite. If you are over the age of 21, you can apply for a Matric Upgrade.

You could also choose to study without Matric. You can study ICB courses, which are accredited by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority). This means that they are recognised as formal qualifications. ICB courses go up to the Diploma level.

Does NSFAS fund Matric?

No, NSFAS does not fund Matric studies. NSFAS will only provide funding to South African citizens studying an undergraduate course at a South African university.

What Have We Learned?

You can study Adult Matric if you are not a South African citizen. It can take 12 to 24 months to get your Adult Matric. You must pass five of your six subjects to pass Adult Matric. Anyone can do Adult Matric if they have up to Grade 9 or equivalent.

The only differences between Adult Matric and School Matric are the age you are when you write the exam and the formal name for the certificate you receive. Universities do accept Adult Matric. You can improve your Matric if you have already done it and were unsatisfied. NSFAS does not fund Matric studies.

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 18, 2022