Requirements for Additional and Higher Education Courses Revision Notes for Grade 11 NSC Matric Life Orientation

Requirements for Additional and Higher Education Courses

Understanding higher education pathways in South Africa

When you complete your NSC, you have several options for continuing your studies. Higher education refers to learning that takes place at institutions beyond school level, such as universities, universities of technology, and FET colleges. Your choice will depend on your interests, career goals, NSC results, and financial situation.

The key question you need to ask yourself is: what type of qualification will best prepare you for your chosen career? Understanding the different pathways and their requirements will help you make an informed decision about your future.

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The decision you make about post-school education will significantly impact your career opportunities and earning potential. Take time to research different pathways and speak to career counsellors, current students, and professionals in your field of interest.

Types of higher education qualifications

South Africa's education system uses the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to organise different levels of learning. Here are the main post-school qualifications available to you:

Higher certificates

A higher certificate is an entry-level qualification that provides practical, industry-focused training. This qualification is ideal if you want to enter the workforce quickly while keeping options open for further study.

Key features of higher certificates:

Enables you to work in a specific industry (like tourism)
Provides basic introductory knowledge and practical techniques
Focuses on applying knowledge in the workplace
Usually includes work experience
Takes about one year to complete (120 credits)
Allows you to gain credits towards a diploma or degree later

Diplomas

A diploma offers more comprehensive training that bridges practical skills with broader knowledge. This qualification is suitable if you want specialised professional training in a specific field.

Key features of diplomas:

Enables you to work in a specific industry or profession (such as management or finance)
Focuses on general principles and their practical application
Provides comprehensive and specialist knowledge
Usually includes practical workplace experience
Takes about three years to complete (360 credits)
Allows entry to various career paths in a particular field
Can lead to further study towards a bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degrees

A bachelor's degree provides the broadest education and is essential for professional careers requiring extensive theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Key features of bachelor's degrees:

Gives you a comprehensive education across multiple areas
Focuses on principles, theory and research
Enables you to follow a career as a professional
Prepares you for postgraduate study (honours and master's degrees)
Takes about three to four years to complete (360 credits)
Can lead to specialisation through advanced diplomas or further degrees

Understanding credits and study time

The NQF uses a credit system where one credit equals 10 hours of study time. This helps you understand how much work each qualification requires and plan your study schedule effectively.

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Understanding Study Time Requirements

Credit to study time conversion:

Higher certificate: 120 credits = 1,200 hours of study
Diploma: 360 credits = 3,600 hours of study
Bachelor's degree: 360 credits = 3,600 hours of study

For a full-time student studying 30 weeks per year:

120-credit qualification: 40 hours of study per week
360-credit qualification: typically spread over three years

Further Education and Training (FET) colleges

FET colleges offer excellent vocational courses that prepare you directly for employment. These institutions focus on practical skills and often have strong connections with industry and employers, making them an attractive option for students who prefer hands-on learning.

Benefits of FET colleges

FET colleges provide several advantages that make them particularly valuable for career-focused students:

Courses are practical but also include theoretical knowledge
Many graduates find employment more easily than university graduates
Strong focus on scarce skills and careers in demand
Links with institutions and the corporate world help students find jobs
Opportunities for workplace experience and simulated workplace training
Some courses are accepted at university level for further study

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FET colleges often have smaller class sizes than universities, allowing for more personalised attention and support from lecturers. This can be particularly beneficial if you learn better in a more intimate academic environment.

FET college course options

Popular FET college courses include a wide range of fields that align with South Africa's economic development priorities:

Engineering fields: Civil Engineering & Building Construction, Electrical Infrastructure Construction, Engineering & Design
Business fields: Finance, Economics & Accounting, Management, Marketing, Office Practice and Administration
Technology fields: Information Technology & Computer Science
Service industries: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism
Specialised fields: Education, Agriculture

Entry requirements for FET colleges

Most FET colleges accept learners after Grade 9, but many courses prefer or require Grade 11 or 12 certificates. Having your Grade 12 NSC gives you a better chance of admission and may provide preference in selection processes.

National Certificate (Vocational) courses at FET colleges usually take three years (NCV2, NCV3, NCV4).

NSC promotion requirements

Before considering higher education options, you must first meet the basic requirements to pass your National Senior Certificate.

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NSC Promotion Requirements - You Must Achieve:

One official language at home language level: minimum 40%
Two other subjects: minimum 40% each
Three subjects: minimum 30% each

You may fail one subject (achieve less than 30%) if you have completed all school-based assessments in that subject.

Admission Point Score (APS) system

The APS system converts your NSC marks into points that higher education institutions use for admission decisions. Understanding this system is crucial for planning your academic goals and choosing appropriate courses.

How APS works

Your NSC percentage marks are converted to points according to this scale:

90-100% = 8 points
80-89% = 7 points
70-79% = 6 points
60-69% = 5 points
50-59% = 4 points
40-49% = 3 points
30-39% = 2 points
0-29% = 0 points

Your total APS score is calculated by adding up the points from all your subjects. Higher education institutions set minimum APS scores for admission to different programmes.

Calculating your APS score

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Worked Example: Calculating APS Score

Student's NSC Results:

English Home Language: 65% = 5 points
Afrikaans First Additional Language: 58% = 4 points
Mathematics: 72% = 6 points
Physical Sciences: 68% = 5 points
Life Sciences: 75% = 6 points
Geography: 62% = 5 points
Life Orientation: 80% = 7 points

Total APS Score: 5 + 4 + 6 + 5 + 6 + 5 + 7 = 38 points

This score would meet the minimum requirements for most bachelor's degree programmes.

To work out your APS score:

List all your NSC subjects and marks
Convert each mark to points using the table above
Add up all your points to get your total APS score
Compare this to the admission requirements of courses you're interested in

NSC subject categories

Understanding how your NSC subjects are classified is crucial for meeting admission requirements. Different institutions may have varying requirements based on these categories.

Group A: Compulsory subjects

All NSC learners must take these subjects:

Home Language
First Additional Language
Mathematical Literacy or Mathematics
Life Orientation

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Life Orientation is compulsory but is often not included in APS calculations or admission requirements for higher education. However, some institutions may consider it, so aim for good marks in all subjects.

Recognised subjects

Recognised subjects are organised into learning fields and include subjects like:

Agricultural Management, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Technology
Dance Studies, Design, Dramatic Arts, Music, Visual Arts
Accounting, Business Studies, Economics
Geography, History, Religion Studies
Civil Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology
Computer Applications Technology, Information Technology
Consumer Studies, Hospitality Studies, Tourism
Physical Sciences, Life Sciences

Designated subjects

Designated subjects are specific NSC subjects that prepare you for successful university study. This is a critical concept for university admission.

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Critical Information: Designated Subjects

If you want to study for a degree at university, you must take at least four subjects from this list:

Accounting, Geography, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, History, Mathematical Literacy, Business Studies, Consumer Studies, Music, Dramatic Arts, Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Economics, Languages, Religion Studies, Engineering Graphics and Design, Life Sciences, Visual Arts

Without four designated subjects, you cannot qualify for bachelor's degree admission at most universities.

Minimum admission requirements

Different qualifications have different minimum entry standards that you must meet. These requirements represent the absolute minimum - competitive programmes often require much higher scores.

Higher certificate requirements

To study for a higher certificate, you need to:

Pass the NSC with one official language at home language level (40% or APS 3)
Two other subjects at 40% (APS 3) for each subject
Three subjects at 30% (APS 2) for each subject

Some institutions may require specific subject combinations and higher APS scores.

Diploma requirements

For diploma admission, you must:

Pass the NSC with one official language at home language level (40% or APS 3)
Three other subjects at 40% (APS 3) for each subject (excluding Life Orientation)
Two subjects at 30% (APS 2) for each subject

There may be additional requirements, such as specific subject passes for particular diplomas.

Bachelor's degree requirements

University degree admission requires:

Pass the NSC with one official language at home language level (40% or APS 3)
Four subjects from the designated list at 50% (APS 4) for each subject
Two subjects at 30% (APS 2) for each subject

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University Admission Reality Check

While these are the minimum requirements, most competitive university programmes require much higher APS scores. Popular courses like Medicine, Engineering, and Law often require APS scores of 35-40 or higher, with specific subject requirements like Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Language requirements

You must achieve at least 30% (APS 2) in the language that the institution uses for teaching. For example, if a university teaches in English, you must pass English at this level.

National Benchmark Tests (NBT)

Some higher education institutions require you to write National Benchmark Tests as part of their admission process. These tests provide additional information about your academic readiness beyond your NSC results.

Types of NBT tests

There are two main tests:

Academic Literacy Test (AQL): Tests your ability to understand vocabulary, evaluate evidence, draw conclusions, and identify main ideas
Quantitative Literacy Test: Tests your ability to work with formulae, interpret graphs and tables, and reason logically
Mathematics Test (MAT): A three-hour test based on the Grade 12 Mathematics curriculum (required for courses needing Mathematics)

Purpose of NBT

These tests help institutions:

Determine whether you should be placed in regular, bridging, or foundation programmes
Decide on bursary awards
Assess your readiness for tertiary study

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NBT Timing Advantage

You can write NBT tests before your final NSC examinations, allowing you to apply for courses and bursaries early in the year. This early application can improve your chances of admission and financial aid.

Specific programme requirements

Different courses and institutions have their own specific admission criteria beyond the basic requirements. Understanding these requirements early will help you make informed subject choices and set realistic goals.

Additional considerations

Some institutions may:

Give extra points for passing designated subjects
Require higher APS scores for popular programmes
Give preference to students with specific subject combinations
Consider Life Orientation marks in their selection process
Require interviews or portfolios for certain courses

Examples of specific requirements

Understanding these examples will help you appreciate the importance of researching your chosen programmes early:

Medical programmes often require very high marks in Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Engineering courses typically need strong Mathematics and Physical Sciences results
Teaching programmes may require specific subject combinations
Business courses might prefer Accounting or Mathematics
Creative programmes could require portfolios or auditions

Researching requirements

When choosing courses, carefully research the specific requirements for each programme you're considering. Requirements can vary significantly between institutions and programmes, and this research should inform your Grade 10-12 subject choices.

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Research Strategy

Contact university admissions offices directly, attend career expos, and speak to current students in your field of interest. Many universities also publish detailed admission requirements on their websites, including historical APS cut-off scores for different programmes.

Planning your subject choices

Understanding these requirements should influence your NSC subject choices. This planning process requires careful consideration of multiple factors and should begin as early as Grade 9.

Consider:

What career you want to pursue
Which type of qualification suits your goals
What subjects are required for your preferred courses
Your strengths and interests
The APS scores typically needed for admission

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Subject Choice Warning

Many students discover too late that their Grade 12 subject choices have closed doors to their preferred career paths. For example, choosing Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics eliminates most engineering, science, and commerce degree options. Make these choices carefully and seek guidance from teachers and career counsellors.

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Key Points to Remember:

Higher education offers three main pathways: higher certificates (1 year), diplomas (3 years), and bachelor's degrees (3-4 years)
FET colleges provide practical, industry-focused training that often leads directly to employment opportunities
Your APS score determines university admission - higher scores give you more options and better chances of acceptance
Designated subjects are crucial for university entry - you need at least four if you want to study for a degree
Research specific requirements early as different programmes and institutions have varying admission criteria that go beyond minimum standards
Plan your Grade 10-12 subject choices carefully - they determine your post-school options
Consider multiple pathways - there's no single "best" route to career success

Requirements for Additional and Higher Education Courses (Grade 11 NSC Matric Life Orientation): Revision Notes