Adult Matric

Adult Matric is the Senior Certificate (Amended). This works exactly the same way as a National Senior Certificate, also known as school Matric. You can apply to further your studies with your Adult Matric, or you can apply to work.

Adult Matric is for those over the age of 21 who have not written Matric before. This programme is a chance for those who did not get to complete their high school education to complete it and get their Matric.

Is Adult Matric The Same As Matric?

Yes, an Adult Matric works the same way as a school Matric. There are very few differences, which are:

School Matric	Adult Matric
You will be under the age of 21 to write the exams	You will be over the age of 21 to write the exams
You will write Life Orientation	You will not write Life Orientation
You will write seven subjects	You will write six subjects

Can I Do Adult Matric Online?

Yes, you can study for your Adult Matric online through distance learning. There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer Adult Matric courses to help you get your Matric.

Note that while you may study online, you cannot write your exams online. You will write your exams in a government-designated venue.

Can I Write My Matric At Home?

No, you cannot write your Matric at home. You can study for your Matric at home. However, all Matric exams must be written in a government-designated venue.

Can You Do Matric In 6 Months?

No, you cannot do Matric in six months. Matric will take a minimum of 12 months to complete. It can take up to three years to complete, depending on how you decide to complete your six subjects. You have three options:

Complete all six subjects in one year
Complete three subjects per year for two years
Complete two subjects per year for three years

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Adult Matric?

The minimum amount of time it will take to get your Adult Matric is one year. However, you may choose to take longer. Many students choose to write their first three subjects one year, and write their next three subjects the following year.

This ensures these students can focus fully on their studying and can do their best in their exams. This allows more time to study each subject, and also allows time to be able to work to earn an income while you are studying.

Where Can I Write Adult Matric For Free?

It is free to register with the Department of Education to write your Matric exams. However, it is not free to study for your Matric. You will pay the fees of the school or college where you choose to study for your Matric. This will cover your tuition and study materials.

Can You Do Matric At A College?

Yes, you can complete your Adult Matric at a college. There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer Adult Matric programmes, such as:

You can also choose to study at a TVET college. Many TVET colleges offer Matric Courses for you to rewrite your Matric or complete your Adult Matric.

Is It Possible To Buy Your Matric Certificate?

No, you cannot buy your Matric Certificate. Once you have successfully completed your school Matric or your Adult Matric, you will be awarded your Matric Certificate by Umalusi through the Department of Education.

Umalusi has stated that participating in the buying and selling of Matric Certificates is a criminal offence.

If your Matric Certificate is lost or damaged, you can apply for a replacement certificate. You will pay a fee of R153 for this.

If you have completed your exams in more than one sitting, for example, you did your exams over two years, or you rewrite subjects the following year to improve the marks, you can apply to combine these marks. You will also pay a fee of R153 for this.

Once your application has been processed, it can take from four to six weeks for your certificate to be ready for you to fetch it. If you need a copy of your Statement of Results in the meantime, you will pay R55 for this. You will receive your Statement of Results immediately.

Note that these fees are valid from 01 April 2022 until 31 March 2023, after which they are subject to change.

Can I Do Matric At UNISA?

No, you cannot do Matric at UNISA. There are no Matric Courses offered at UNISA. UNISA is a tertiary education institution and only offers university courses.

Can I Apply For NSFAS Without Matric?

No, you cannot apply for NSFAS funding without Matric. NSFAS only funds South African students doing undergraduate studies at South African universities. All universities require you to have Matric to be able to apply.

What Can I Study If I Failed Matric?

There are options available to further your studies even if you failed Matric. There are many distance learning colleges that offer courses that do not require Matric. Some courses you can study are:

ICB courses
Short courses

ICB Courses

There are two ICB courses you can choose to study without Matric:

Business Management – this course requires Grade 11 to apply
Financial Accounting – this course requires Grade 10 to apply
Office Administration – this course requires Matric or a Matric Equivalent Qualification to apply

The first level of the ICB Business Management course and the second level of the ICB Financial Accounting course are both Matric Equivalent Qualifications. This means you could study either of these qualifications and then use it to apply for the ICB Office Administration course.

ICB courses are accredited by both ICB (the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and QCTO (the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations). This means that potential employers recognise them as formal qualifications. These qualifications are recognised both locally and internationally.

Where Can I Study ICB Courses?

There are many places you can study ICB courses. Some reputable distance learning colleges that offer these ICB courses are:

Short Courses

There are also many short courses offered at four of the above colleges.

Short Courses At Matric College

Short Courses At Skills Academy

Short Courses At Ember Academy

Short Courses At Learning Group

Can You Get A Degree Without Matric?

Yes, you can get a degree without Matric. It will simply be a longer process. By studying the ICB Financial Accounting course, you can get up to the Diploma level. Once you have done this, you can study a CIMA course. CIMA Accounting courses go up to the Degree level.

Note that your admission into any institution is not guaranteed. You must apply, and the institution reserves the right to accept or reject your application.

Where Can I Study CIMA Courses?

There are many reputable distance learning colleges that offer CIMA courses, such as:

What Have We Learned?

Adult Matric is for those over the age of 21 who did not get to complete their high school education
You can study for your Adult Matric online, but you must write your exams in a government-designated venue
It will take at least 12 months to complete your Adult Matric
It is free to register to write your Matric exams. However, it is not free to study for your Matric
You can complete your Adult Matric at a distance learning college or at a TVET college
You cannot buy your Matric Certificate
You cannot do your Matric at UNISA
You cannot apply for NSFAS without Matric
There are still many study opportunities available even if you have not passed Matric

Author: Chloe Bydawell
Published by : Sive Ncanywa
Published date : June 28 , 2022