What is a Higher Certificate?
Tuesday, 25 July 2023
Choosing the right qualification is essential for your future. That means you have to be aware of the characteristics of each of them. If you want to know what a higher certificate is, you should keep on reading this article.
The educational system in South Africa consists of many different qualification levels, each of them with different characteristics and requirements. You have to take into account all of them before deciding which one to pursue. Higher certificates, diplomas or bachelor’s degrees are some of the most common qualifications that can be obtained. What is a higher certificate? What are its requirements? What are the differences between a higher certificate, diploma, and bachelor’s degree?
Higher Certificates: Main Characteristics
The National Quality Framework (NQF), according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, “provides a national approach to regulation, assessment and quality improvement for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care services across Australia.” It makes qualifications easier to understand and compare. Within this framework, there are several different levels for you to choose from.
NQF Level 1 | Educational Level Grade 9 |
| 2 | Grade 10 |
| 3 | Grade 11 |
| 4 | Grade 12 |
| 5 | Higher Certificate |
| 6 | Diploma/Advanced Certificate |
| 7 | Bachelor's Degree/Advanced Diploma |
| 8 | Honour's Degree |
| 9 | Master's Degree |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree |
A higher certificate is an NQF Level 5 usually obtained in one year. This qualification provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform their chosen field of study. It is an undergraduate qualification that is usually completed after Grade 12 (or Matric) or an equivalent certificate.
Generally, a higher certificate combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, focusing on preparing students to grow the skills necessary to become a professional.
Higher Certificate Requirements
The higher certificate requirements are various. Among them:
- 40% or above for your Home Language subject
- 40% or above for two other subjects
- 30% or above for three other subjects
- Usually a Matric Pass or equivalent
What is the Difference between a Higher Certificate, a Diploma, and a Bachelor’s Degree?
As mentioned above, a higher certificate is a one-year degree that equips students with the basic knowledge and skills of a certain field.
A Diploma, on the other hand, takes a little bit longer than a higher certificate but is shorter than a bachelor’s degree. These courses may take between one to three years, but they can take longer if you study part-time. These qualifications are often focused on a specific subject with a practical component that gives you work experience.
A Bachelor’s degree is one of the most popular qualifications in the world. Degrees are divided into three levels: undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral. This undergraduate degree is the longest of all qualifications and it is usually studied through a university. Once you have graduated with this degree, you will be able to further your education by studying for any of the other levels, but students must complete one level before completing the other.
If you want to learn more about different degrees, you can read the following articles:
National N Diploma vs National Diploma
All You Need to Know about NATED Courses
Everything about a Bachelor Pass in South Africa
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