What Is A Matric Equivalent Certificate?

2 Comments / Application, Education, ICB, Inspiration, Matric / By

A Matric Equivalent Certificate is a qualification at the same educational level as a Matric, but is not a Matric. 

What Is A Matric Certificate Called?

There are two types of Matric Certificates:

 


There is also an Amended Senior Certificate. This is another common name for the Adult Matric Certificate. This is also the name for the certificate you receive when you have successfully upgraded your Adult Matric and have combined your results. Your Amended Senior Certificate has only your best marks, and it replaces your Adult Matric.

What Qualification Is Matric?

Matric is the qualification that students receive after completing their Matric studies, which can be school Matric or Adult Matric. There are three Matric qualifications:

 

  • Matric Certificate in high school
  • Matric Certificate as an adult
  • Matric Certificate after upgrading

 

All Matric Certificates are awarded by Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education. All Matric qualifications are NQF level 4, and all three Matric Certificates work exactly the same way. 

What NQF Level Is A Matric Certificate

A Matric Certificate is NQF level 4. Any qualification at NQF level 4 is considered a Matric Equivalent qualification. NQF stands for National Qualifications Framework. 

 

This 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

What Is Equivalent To A Grade 12 Certificate?

There are many courses equivalent to a Matric Certificate. Any qualification at NQF level 4 is considered a Matric Equivalent Certificate.  Some examples of Matric Equivalent courses are: 

 

These courses are part of the ICB Business Management Programme and the ICB Financial Accounting Programme respectively. 

Is Senior Certificate Equivalent To Matric?

Yes, a Senior Certificate is equivalent to Matric. This works exactly the same way as a National Senior Certificate, or a school Matric. 

What Is A Diploma In Matric

A Diploma pass is the second-highest passing level in Matric. There are four passing levels in Matric, and each has its own requirements: 

Pass Level

Requirements

Bachelor’s pass
  • 40% or above for Home Language
  • 50% or above for four other subjects 
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

Diploma pass
  • 40 % or above for English Home Language 
  • 40% or above for four other subjects
  • 30% or above for two other subjects

Higher Certificate pass
  • 40% or above for English Home Language 
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for three other subjects 

NSC pass/Matric pass
  • 40% or above for English Home Language 
  • 40% or above for two other subjects 
  • 30% or above for four other subjects

Is ABET Level 4 The Same As Matric

No, ABET level 4 is equivalent to NQF level 1. NQF level 1 is Grade 9 level. Matric is NQF level 4. 

Can I Go To University With A Senior Certificate?

Yes, you can go to university with a Senior Certificate, depending on how well you passed. A Senior Certificate works exactly the same way as a National Senior Certificate. Each university has its own requirements and will look at:

 

  • Your APS and if it matches their requirements
  • The Matric Pass Level that you have achieved (They usually prefer a Bachelor’s Degree Pass for Degree Courses and Diploma Pass for Diploma Courses). 
  • The subjects that you chose in High School. Certain programmes require certain subjects.

Can I Go To University With NQF Level 4?

This depends on the qualification. You can apply to universities with Matric. However, you cannot apply to universities with a Matric Equivalent Certificate. 

Can I Apply At University With ABET Level 4?

No, you cannot apply to universities with ABET level 4. ABET level 4 is equivalent to Grade 9. You must have Matric to be able to apply to universities. 

Does NSFAS Fund ABET Students?

Yes, provided you meet the NSFAS requirements, you can get NSFAS funding for ABET. 

Can You Do Matric In 3 Months?

No, you cannot do Matric in three months. Getting your Matric qualification will take a minimum of 12 months to complete, and if you choose to take your subjects spread out rather than all in one year, it can take up to three years to complete. 

Can I Finish My Matric Online?

No, you cannot complete 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 Do Matric At A TVET College?

Yes, many TVET colleges do offer Matric programmes. Check with the TVET college you are applying to whether they offer the Matric course you are looking for. 

What Can I Study If I Don't Have Matric?

There are still study options available if you do not have Matric, such as: 

ICB Courses

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

 

The ICB Business Management course requires you to have completed Grade 11 to apply. This course has three levels, going up to the Diploma level. The first level is a Matric Equivalent Certificate. 

 

The ICB Financial Accounting course requires you to have completed Grade 10 to apply. This course has four levels, going up to the Diploma level. The second level is a Matric Equivalent certificate. The first level is a Grade 11 equivalent certificate. It is also referred to as the ICB Bridging course. 

 

The ICB Office Administration course requires you to have Matric or Matric Equivalent to apply. This means you can study the Matric Equivalent level of either the ICB Business Management course or the ICB Financial Accounting course, and then use that to apply for the Office Administration course. 

 

The Office Administration course has three levels, beginning at the Higher Certificate level and going up to the Diploma level.  

 

ICB courses are accredited by ICB (the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations). This means they are recognised as formal qualifications by potential employers. They are also recognised both locally and internationally.

 

These courses teach scarce skills, which are in high demand in South Africa. This means there are more job opportunities, and job stability is better.

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

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

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

NATED Courses

Previously, it was possible to apply to study some NATED courses with a Matric Equivalent Certificate. However, this is no longer the case. You must now have your Matric to apply to study a NATED course. 

 

There are six streams of study in NATED courses, they are: 

 

If you would like to study any of these NATED courses, but you do not have your Matric, you can get your Matric three ways: 

 

Matric Rewrite

Matric Rewrite is for those under the age of 21 who did not pass Matric and can pass by improving the marks in four subjects or fewer, and for those who passed but were unsatisfied with their results and would like to improve the marks in four subjects or fewer. 

 

You may rewrite a maximum of four subjects. These must be subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams, you cannot change your subjects for a rewrite. 

 

Note that if you failed, and you will not pass by improving the marks of four subjects or fewer, you will not be allowed to rewrite. 

 

To apply for a Matric Rewrite, you need: 

 

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

Matric Upgrade

Matric Upgrade is for those over the age of 21 who did not pass their Matric, or who passed but were unsatisfied with their results and would like to improve their marks. You may upgrade as many subjects as you like. You may also choose to change any or all of your elective subjects. 

 

Note that you may apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, however, you must be over the age of 21 to write the exams 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

Adult Matric

Adult Matric is for those over the age of 21 who did not get to complete their high school education and write their Matric exams. Once you have completed your Adult Matric, you will receive your Senior Certificate (Amended). This works exactly the same way as a school Matric. 

 

To apply for an Adult Matric, you will need: 

 

  • A copy of your Grade 9 certificate/report or equivalent
  • A certified copy of your ID

What Have We Learned?

  • A Matric Equivalent qualification can allow you to study further in many ways
  • Matric is NQF level 4. Any other qualification at NQF level 4 is a Matric Equivalent qualification
  • There are four passing levels in Matric
  • ABET goes up to Grade 9 equivalent
  • You can apply to university with a Matric, but not a Matric Equivalent
  • NSFAS does fund ABET studies
  • You cannot apply to universities with ABET level 4, as this is only equivalent to Grade 9
  • You can study short courses or accredited ICB courses without Matric
  • You can no longer study NATED courses without Matric. However, there are ways that you can get your Matric if you want to study a NATED course

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Dylan Florence
Last Updated: 30 March 2025

2 thoughts on “What Is A Matric Equivalent Certificate?”

    1. Bernard Joseph

      Hi
      if you have N3 National Certificate that’s also NQF LEVEL 4 (equivalent to matric) and the job requirements is Grade 12 or Equivalent will the recruitment consider you if the position is in the Engineering (Artisan) industry? What is your change of getting hired?

      Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *