What Are My Options If I Failed Matric?

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Failing Matric can feel like a huge setback. However, you still have many options for how to proceed after finding out you have not passed Matric. Some options are: 

 

  • Rewrite your Matric
  • Upgrade your Matric
  • Further your studies without Matric

Rewrite Your Matric

If you have just written Matric and you have not passed, you can apply to rewrite your Matric as long as you are still under the age of 21. You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. These must be subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams, you cannot change subjects.

 

Note that if you cannot pass by improving the marks in four subjects or fewer, you will not be allowed to rewrite. However, you can further your studies without Matric, or wait until you are 21 to do a Matric Upgrade instead. 

 

To apply for a Matric Rewrite, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Statement of Results
  • A certified copy of your ID

Upgrade Your Matric

If you have not passed Matric and you are now over the age of 21, you can apply to upgrade your Matric. You may upgrade as many subjects as you choose. You may also choose to change any or all of your elective subjects. 

 

Note that while you may apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, you must be 21 to write the exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams. 

 

To apply for a Matric Upgrade, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Statement of Results
  • A certified copy of your ID 

Where Can I Rewrite Or Upgrade My Matric?

Many reputable distance learning colleges offer Matric programmes, such as: 

 

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

 

These colleges also offer Adult Matric courses. Adult Matric is known as Senior Certificate (Amended). This course is for those over the age of 21 who did not get to write their Matric. 

Further Your Studies Without Matric

There are courses available to study without Matric, such as: 

 

  • ICB courses 
  • Short courses

ICB Courses

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

The ICB Business Management programme requires you to have your Grade 11 to be able to apply. There are three levels in this course, going up to the Diploma level. 

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

The ICB Office Administration programme requires you to have your Matric or a Matric Equivalent to be able to apply. This means you can study the Matric Equivalent levels in the ICB Business Management programme or the ICB Financial Accounting programme, and use this to apply for the ICB Office Administration programme. 

Qualifications from the ICB are recognised by employers as formal qualifications, because ICB courses have been accredited by the ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations).

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

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

Can You Upgrade If You Failed Matric?

Yes, you can upgrade your Matric even if you failed, as long as you are over the age of 21 when you write the upgrade exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams for a Matric Upgrade. 

Can You Do A Bridging Course If You Failed Matric?

Yes, you can do bridging courses in the subjects you need even if you failed Matric. Instead of rewriting your Matric, you can take bridging courses for the subjects you failed that you need for the course you want to study. 

 

For example, if you want to study Medicine and you have met all the requirements except for Maths, you can take a bridging course for Maths to improve your marks and meet the requirements for Medicine. 

Can I Go To College Without Matric?

Yes, you can go to college without Matric. You can study at any of the colleges mentioned above that offer ICB and short courses. These courses do not require Matric. You can also choose to go to a TVET college. 

Can I Study At UNISA If I Failed Matric?

No, you cannot study at UNISA without Matric. Universities do not offer courses that you can study without Matric. All universities require you to have Matric to be able to apply. 

How Much Does It Cost To Rewrite Matric?

It is free to register with the Department of Education to rewrite your Matric exams. However, it is not free to study for your Matric. You will pay the fees for the institution where you study for your Matric. These fees will cover your tuition and your study materials. 

Can I Rewrite My Matric Online?

No, you cannot rewrite your Matric online. You can study for your Matric online through distance learning. However, you must write your exams in a government-designated venue.

Can I Rewrite My Matric After 5 Years?

Yes, you can rewrite your Matric after five years. You can rewrite your Matric up to five years after your Matric exams, as long as you are still under the age of 21. Courses from Matric College have no time frame, so you can study them at any time. 

Who Qualifies For Matric Rewrite?

Anyone under the age of 21 who:

 

  • Failed but can pass by improving the marks in four subjects or fewer
  • Passed but is unsatisfied with their results and would like to improve the marks in four subjects or fewer 

How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade Your Matric Results?

It is free to register with the Department of Education to write the Matric Upgrade exams. However, it is not free to study for your Matric. You will pay the fees for the institution where you study for your Matric. These fees will cover your tuition and your study materials.

Who Qualifies For Matric Upgrade?

Anyone over the age of 21 who:

 

  • Failed and would like to improve their results to pass
  • Passed but is unsatisfied and would like to improve their results

Does NSFAS Fund Upgrading Students?

No, NSFAS does not fund upgrading students. NSFAS only funds students who:

 

  • Are South African citizens
  • Studying at a South African university
  • Studying for an undergraduate qualification

 

NSFAS also offers funding to South Africans studying for their ABET levels. 

Can I Upgrade My Matric After 10 Years?

Yes, you can upgrade your Matric after 10 years. You can upgrade your Matric any time after you turn 21, there is no age limit to upgrading your Matric. There is also no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. 

What Is The Difference Between Matric Rewrite And Upgrade?

There are only three main differences between Matric Rewrite and Matric Upgrade:

Matric Rewrite

Matric Upgrade

Must be under the age of 21

Must be over the age of 21

May rewrite a maximum of four subjects

May upgrade as many subjects as you like

May not change subjects

May change any or all elective subjects

What Have We Learned?

  • There are still many options available if you failed Matric
  • There are options available to get your Matric, and options available to study without Matric
  • You can study for your Matric online, but you must write your exams in a government-designated venue
  • You cannot study for your Matric at UNISA
  • You can do bridging courses for the subjects you failed
  • NSFAS does not fund any Matric courses
  • There is no age limit to a Matric Upgrade
  • There is no limit to the number of times you can upgrade your Matric. 

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Author: June 10, 2022

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