If you’re an adult over the age of 21, you may think that your last chance at completing your matric year is over—but this simply isn’t true! Even if you’ve been out of high school for a while, you can still get another chance by completing an adult matric course.
Getting your matric certificate as an adult can open many doors for your career, as it’ll allow you to apply for new job roles or even study at college or university.
If you’re keen to complete your adult matric, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we outline everything you need to know about getting an adult matric in 2023.
What is Adult Matric?
An adult matric—otherwise known as a Senior Certificate (SC) —allows you to further your education by studying at college or university. It essentially works the same way as a National Senior Certificate (NSC) in the sense that both certifications equate to an NQF Level 4; however, it’s important to note that the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC) are not the same so be sure not to confuse them.
To get a better understanding of how the National Senior Certificate (NSC) differs from the adult matric, take a look at the comparison below to see how they work:
Adult Matric Versus National Senior Certificate (NSC)
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is achieved through the traditional way of schooling, meaning that you receive your matric certificate upon completion of Grade 12/matric in high school.
Adult matric covers the same matric subjects in South African high schools; however, the course duration is self-paced, meaning you get to choose how quickly you’d like to complete your adult matric (within the educational institution’s allocated time frame). Adult matric results are also achieved through final exams only as opposed to assignments or classwork.
In order to be accredited, the adult matric course has to have been approved by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
*Be sure to confirm whether or not your matric course or programme is legitimate by visiting the SAQA website or by checking the SAQA identification number.
Who Qualifies for an Adult Matric in 2023?
Adult matric certificates are generally given to those who could not complete their matric certificate the first time around.
You may also get an adult matric if you would like the opportunity to improve your matric marks so that you may qualify to get into a higher educational institution.
The requirements for an adult matric may vary depending on the matric course or programme you’ll be undertaking.
With that said, the general requirements for an adult matric can be broken down into the following:
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- adults over the age of 21 who would like to obtain their Grade 12 Senior Certificate (SC)
- adults with a completed Grade 9 General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) or equivalent (NQF 1)
- adults with the ability to speak, read and write two or more South African languages (namely English and Afrikaans)
- adults with an incomplete Senior Certificate (SC)
Where Can You Register for an Adult
There are several educational institutions that will allow you to complete your adult matric, including, but not limited to:
- Adult education centres: These are public or private educational training centres that provide basic education to adults.
- Vocational schools: Also referred to as a trade school, a vocational school is a post-secondary educational institution that provides students with technical skills and training for a specific occupation or career.
- Community colleges: In South Africa, many public Further Education and Training (FET) colleges offer adult matric programmes, as well as some private educational institutions.
- Distance learning programmes: In 2023, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education institutions have adapted to offer online and distance learning options for adult matric programmes. This allows individuals to complete their studies from the comfort of their own homes and at their own pace.
It is recommended to research and compare various institutions to find the best fit for your needs, budget, and schedule. You can also consult with a school counsellor or educational advisor for guidance on choosing the right institution and programme for you.
Now that you know all the different types of educational institutions that will allow you to register for an adult matric, it’s time to find out where you can do an adult matric in 2023.
For the purpose of this article, we will be looking at 3 different educational institutions that will allow you to complete your adult matric this year, namely, the Department of Basic Education (DBE), TVET colleges and distance learning institutions.
Obtaining an Adult Matric Through the Department of Basic Education (DBE)
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers adults another chance at obtaining their Senior Certificate (SC) through its Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP).
The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) was made with the purpose of helping learners and adults obtain their National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate (SC). The DBE does this by allowing them to study and rewrite the various matric subjects offered by the SCMP.
Subjects offered by the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) are:
- Accounting
- Agricultural Science
- Business Science
- Economics
- English FAL
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
An added benefit of doing your adult matric through the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) is that you have full access to all the subjects listed above. This is opposed to learners who are looking to obtain their National Senior Certificate, who are only allowed to choose two subjects from the list.
Registrations for the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP) close on 8 February 2023, so be sure to apply before it’s too late!
If you’re looking to study at a TVET college, then good news! There are plenty of TVET colleges in South Africa that allow you to complete your adult matric.
The best part is, there are certain TVETs that accept applications year-round, meaning you can apply for your adult matric certificate at any time of the year.
TVET colleges that accept applications year-round and that offer adult matric include, but are not limited to:
Each TVET college is different, so be sure to do adequate research before selecting the right TVET for you. To help get you started, we’ve outlined each of the above TVET colleges to give you a clear idea of what matric courses they have available.
Coastal KZN TVET College has a variety of courses and programmes available, including its National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Programme.
The NCV programme allows adults who have passed Grade 9 the opportunity to complete Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), which is equivalent to Grades 10, 11 and 12. Each NQF Level takes a year to complete, meaning the entire adult matric course duration is 3 years.
After completing Coastal KZN TVET College’s National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Programme, you’ll have the qualification and skills necessary to enter a working event. You’ll also be able to apply to higher education institutions, provided you meet the right subject requirements.
The NCV programme can be divided into both fundamental subjects and vocational subjects, which are made up of the following:
Fundamental subjects (NQF Level 2 to 4):
- Language(s)
- Life Orientation
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Vocational subjects (NQF Level 2 to 4):
- Finance, Economics and Accounting
- Marketing
- Management
- Office Administration
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Civil Engineering & Building Construction (Masonry/Plumbing/Carpentry)
- Electrical Infrastructure Construction
- Engineering and Related Design (Automotive/Fabrication/Fitter and Turner)
- Education and Development
- Hospitality
- Primary Agriculture
- Tourism
Located in the Free State, Goldfields TVET College offers Adult Basic Education and Training to adults who would like to complete their adult matric.
The adult matric courses available at Goldfields TVET College will allow adult matric learners to obtain a National Certificate Vocational (NCV).
The adult matric courses available at Goldfields TVET College are:
