Can I Become A Teacher With Higher Certificate

Can I Become A Teacher With Higher Certificate At Unisa: Higher Certificate in Education at Unisa

Yes, you can pursue Grade R teaching in South Africa with a Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development (ECD). However, a Higher Certificate is not a professional teaching qualification

The Higher Certificate in Education is an access route for students into the Bachelor of Education (BEd). If you have enrolled for a Higher Certificate in ABET and you want to become a teacher, you can enrol for a BA and thereafter, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Senior and FET Phase).

The College of Education at Unisa currently offers the Higher Certificate in Education as an access route for students into the Bachelor of Education (BEd). This assists students to meet the entry requirements for the BEd such as the Mathematics and Language admission requirement that is needed. For the BEd Senior and FET Phase, there might be additional discipline-specific requirements.

This Higher Certificate in Education is the only Higher Certificate articulating into the UNISA Bachelor of Education Foundation and Intermediate phase qualifications. Students who completed the Higher Certificate in Education before the stream will still be considered for admission into the Bachelor of Education.

For the Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase access, students must have MTE1501 or Matric Mathematics. Students should note that these are year modules except AFL1501, BPT1501 and EUP1501 and should be registered at the beginning of the year.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide access, with a reasonable chance of success, to candidates with potential who otherwise would not meet the new minimum entry requirements. The curriculum is aimed at providing these students with the necessary basic skills to succeed within the Open Distance Learning (ODeL) environment and also some articulation into first-year undergraduate Degree/Diploma qualifications offered.

The purpose of the learning therefore will be to enhance generic competencies within ODeL such as basic language and learning skills, information management skills and teaching skills, as well as some elective subject knowledge.

READ: What Kind Of Teacher Gets Paid The Most

What Are The Requirements Needed To Become A teacher with Higher Certificate?

These are the following requirements needed to apply for a higher certificate:

Your APS score must be 15: To apply for a higher certificate, your APS score cannot be below 15. It must be 15 or higher.
30% in the course-based language: You must have at least 30% for the language that the course is taught. If the course is taught in English, you must have gotten at least 30% for English in matric.
Matric Certificate: For a higher certificate you need a matric certificate.
40% in a home language in matric: You must have gotten at least 40% in your home language in matric.

How To Choose A Module For Higher Certificate In Education At Unisa 2025

Each Unisa qualification is designed to require you to complete a specific number of NQF-level credits within a designated timeframe to graduate.

Co-requisites and Pre-requisites

Co-requisite: If you wish to register for a module (Module B) that has a co-requisite (Module A), you must enrol in both modules simultaneously if you haven’t already passed Module A. If you cancel Module A, you must also cancel Module B.
Pre-requisite: To enrol in a module (Module B) that requires a pre-requisite (Module A), you must first pass Module A before you can register for Module B.

Credit and Module Registration Limits

Credit Limits: You may not exceed 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year. This limit does not include supplementary and/or aegrotat examinations from previous semesters. Modules taken for non-degree or non-diploma purposes are included in this credit limit.

When selecting your modules, consider the time you can dedicate to your studies, as this will significantly impact your academic performance. On average, you will need:

6 to 8 hours per week for each semester module.
4 to 6 hours per week for each year module.

Higher Certificate In Education Modules At Unisa 2025

In choosing a module for the higher certificate in education at Unisa 2025, applicants should bear in mind that, all modules in Group A are compulsory, and ONE module needs to be selected from Group B. Below are the various modules available:

Group A: Compulsory Modules

AFL1501: Language Through an African Lens
BPT1501: Being a Professional Teacher
CAD1501: Child and Adolescent Development
DPP1501: Diversity, Pedagogy and Practice
EST1501: Academic Proficiency in English for Student Teachers
EUP1501: Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
INS1502: Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
MTE1501: Mathematics 1 for Teachers
PSC1501: Practical Science for the Classroom

Group B: Choose One Module

ATH1501: Art and Handwork
GCS1501: Guidance, Counselling, and Life Skills Development
GRT1501: Introduction to Grade R Teaching
IED1501: Introduction to Environmental Education

READ: What Is Higher Certificate In Education At Unisa 2025

Contact Unisa

General resources: websites, and general SMS, fax and e-mail enquiries

Many administrative processes, including the convenience of fee payments and information about examinations, are available on the following platforms:

All application, registration and study-related information is available on the Unisa corporate website in both web and Mobi formats.
Unisa website (http://www.unisa.ac.za)
The myUnisa website.
myUnisa (https://my.unisa.ac.za/)
Fax enquiries to 012 429 4150

Everyone applying for a new qualification must submit the required documents (all first-time applicants and Unisa students starting a new qualification). The due date for uploading the required documents is the closing date for applications. No documents submitted after the closing date for applications will be accepted. Visit Unisa For More Details.

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