What Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

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What Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

What Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate Pass: Higher Certificate courses

A higher certificate is a qualification granted to students after completing a specific course of study beyond secondary education but below a diploma or degree level. These certificates are often focused on practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, making them a valuable option for those looking to enter the workforce quickly or advance in their current careers.

Despite not achieving a matric pass that will get you university entry or not getting into university because of applying late, there is still a way to pursue post-matric studies. You can do this by completing a Higher Certificate, which takes one year and opens the door to either degree study or a foot on the career ladder.

Many matriculants now find themselves in a situation where their plans to study towards a degree have been thwarted by marks which didn’t allow them to cut. But there is still a way for those who remain determined to study towards a bachelor’s degree, that of pursuing a higher certificate, which will allow them to take the next step without having to repeat matric.

READ: What Is N5 Qualification

Careers To Study With Higher Certificate

A higher certificate can lead to various career opportunities, depending on the area of study. However below are some common careers to study;

  • Health Care
  • Business and Management
  • Information Technology
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Hospitality and Tourism

What Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate 2025

A Higher Certificate Pass is the third-highest of the four passes in Matric. With a Higher Certificate pass, you can study the following:

  • NATED courses
  • ICB Courses
  • Short Courses

What Short Career Course Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

There are no specific entry requirements to study Short courses. Here are the Short courses that you can study with a higher certificate pass:

  • Beauty courses
  • Educare and Childcare courses
  • Tourism and Guest House courses
  • Event and Wedding Planning courses

Beauty Courses

  • Salon Management
  • Nail Care
  • Make-Up Application
  • Facial Skincare

Educare And Child Care Courses

  • First Aid
  • Creche Management
  • Child Day Care
  • Child Psychology

Tourism And Guesthouse

  • Guesthouse Management
  • Tourism

Event And Wedding Planning

  • Wedding Planning
  • Event Planning

What Is A Higher Certificate Pass

A Higher Certificate pass is the third-highest pass of the four Matric pass levels. Here are the four Matric pass levels:

  • Bachelors Pass
  • Diploma Pass
  • Higher Certificate Pass
  • Senior Certificate (Amended) Pass

These passes determine how well you passed and your eligibility to study further at university.

  1. Bachelors Pass

A Bachelor’s pass means that you must have achieved at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 50% in four other High Credit subjects
  • 30% in one other subject

Minimum APS based on these marks: 21

  1. Diploma Pass

A Diploma pass means you must have scored at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in four other High Credit subjects
  • 30% in one other subject

Minimum APS based on these marks: 17

  1. Higher Certificate Pass

To obtain a Higher Certificate pass, you must have at least achieved:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • 30% in three other subjects
  • You must have English or Afrikaans as a subject to achieve this qualification

Minimum APS based on these marks: 15

What Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

  1. Senior Certificate (Amended) (SC(A)) Pass

An SC(A) pass is the lowest certificate you can achieve and will mean you have passed at least:

  • 40% in your home language subject
  • 40% in two other subjects
  • You can fail your first additional language subject, but then you must score:
  • 30% of the remaining subjects
  • Fail one subject by a maximum of 20%

Minimum APS based on these marks: 14

What Are The Requirements For A Higher Certificate Pass

To achieve a Higher Certificate Pass, the learner should meet the following requirements:

  • The learner must achieve at least 40% for their Home Language subject.
  • The learner must achieve at least 40% in two other subjects excluding Life Orientation.
  • The learner must achieve at least 30% in any other three subjects.
  • The learner can only fail one subject.

What  Nated Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

Here are the NATED courses that you can study with a Higher Certificate pass:

Business Management Courses

  • Business Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Business Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Business Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Business Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Marketing Management Courses

  • Marketing Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Marketing Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Marketing Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Management Assistant Courses

  • Management Assistant NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Management Assistant NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Management Assistant NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Management Assistant NATED N6 National Diploma

Human Resources Management Courses

  • Human Resource Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Human Resource Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Human Resource Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Financial Management Courses

  • Financial Management: NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Financial Management: NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Financial Management: NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Financial Management: NATED N6 National Diploma

Educare Courses

  • Educare NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Educare NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Educare NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Educare NATED N6 National Diploma

Legal Secretary Courses

  • Legal Secretary NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Legal Secretary NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Legal Secretary NATED N6 National Diploma

What ICB Career Can You Study With A Higher Certificate

Here are the ICB courses that you can study with a Higher Certificate pass:

ICB Business Management

  1. Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
  2. Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate
  3. Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma

*ICB Office Administration

  1. Office Administration: ICB National Certificate
  2. Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate
  3. Office Administration: ICB National Diploma

ICB Financial Accounting

  1. Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
  2. Bookkeeping: FET Certificate
  3. Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma
  4. Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma

READ: UNISA Change of Qualification 2025-2026

A higher certificate offers a strong foundation for numerous career paths across different industries. By selecting a higher certificate that aligns with your interests and career aspirations, you can develop relevant skills and enhance your prospects in a field that matches your goals. I hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section

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