The fact is that people who study post-matric have a better chance of getting a job than those who do not.
According to Business Tech, a staggering 37.7% of South Africans who have matric are unemployed, while only 7.5% who have tertiary education are in the same situation.
Thus, gaining higher education drastically increases your chances of getting a job.
REGENT has several undergraduate qualifications you can study towards regardless of your matric results.
This article will discuss which qualifications and careers you can pursue based on your results — including higher certificates, diplomas, and bachelor of commerce degrees.
We will also give tips on choosing the right career path for your aspirations and give you alternative options if your results do not allow you to study undergraduate qualifications.
What should your matric results be to study?
Higher certificates, diplomas, and degrees all have different entry requirements. Some also take longer to complete than others. Though some qualifications have special requirements, here are the general requirements for most.
Higher certificate course requirements
Higher certificates usually take a year to complete. These NQF Level 5 courses give you the hands-on skills you need to succeed in different jobs.
Most higher certificates require a National Senior Certificate with a minimum higher certificate admission or a relevant NQF Level 4 qualification.
Here are some higher certificate courses you can consider:
- Higher Certificate in Accounting: This certificate could be ideal if you enjoy math and working with numbers. With it, you can pursue careers such as Bookkeeper, Accounts Specialist, Auditing Clerk, Payroll Administrator, and more.
- Higher Certificate in Retail Management: This course is perfect for entering the wholesale and retail industry. With it, you can get jobs such as Store Manager, Call Center Manager, Stock Replenisher, and more.
- Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship: If you have always dreamed of starting your own business, this higher certificate will teach you all you need to know. Aside from equipping you to become an entrepreneur, this course will also give you the skills to become a Business Administrator, Business Analyst, Front Office Manager, and more.
Discover other higher certificates here.
Diploma course requirements
Diplomas usually take anywhere from 2–3 years to complete. These NQF Level 6 courses often allow you to pursue higher-paying careers than higher certificates do.
Most diplomas require a National Senior Certificate with a minimum diploma admission or a relevant NQF Level 4 qualification.
Here are some examples of diplomas you can consider:
- Diploma in Financial Management: This course is ideal if you want to work in finances within the public or business sector. With it, you can pursue careers such as Financial Manager, Accountant, Financial Administrator, and more.
- Diploma in Public Relations Management: This course is perfect if you enjoy writing and communicating with people. With it, you can get jobs in several industries, including Marketing Coordinator, Copywriter, Media Relations Specialist, and more.
Degree course requirements
Bachelor’s degrees usually take around three years to complete. These NQF Level 7 courses will help you attain management and senior-level positions in several industries.
Most degrees require a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s degree endorsement or an applicable NQF Level 4 qualification.
Here are some of the bachelor’s and BCom degrees you can consider:
- Bachelor of Commerce in Law: This degree enables you to become a manager, entrepreneur, and valued contributor within the legal sector. With it, you can pursue careers such as Legal Manager, Investment Analyst, Lawyer, and more.
- Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management: If you love working with people and resolving issues, a career in human resources might be ideal. This degree offers several career options, including Human Resource Manager, Industrial Relations Consultant, and more.
What if I do not qualify?
If your matric results do not allow you to study towards an undergraduate qualification, you can take bridging courses that will give you admission requirements. Alternatively, you can choose to redo matric to improve your results.
Also, keep in mind that some careers do not require tertiary education. For example:
- Call Centre Associate
- Storekeeper
- Cosmetics Consultant
- Company Brand Consultant
- Resume Writer
If you want to pursue a job like the ones mentioned above, you can improve your skills by doing short courses. For example, a short course in data analysis will help build your research and analytical skills. This way, you will stand out amongst candidates and have a better chance of landing the job.
Tips for choosing the right qualification for you
Here are some tips for choosing the right career for your dreams and aspirations.
1. Take into account your interests
Pursuing a career you are certain you will enjoy long term is essential. While salary and work benefits play an important role in your decision, other factors should be considered. These include:
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
2. Research the job market
While it is great to be interested in a particular industry, you also need to ensure that there are enough job opportunities and that the role will remain relevant.
With AI replacing several jobs, it is important to look at websites such as BLS to see whether the job you are considering is projected to grow in the next decade.
For example, according to BLS, the need for logisticians is rising, with an expected growth rate of 19% from 2023 to 2033. On the other hand, customer service representatives have been on a 5% decline since AI took over.
3. Consider the timeline
As mentioned earlier, degrees and diplomas take around three years to complete, while higher certificates take one year. You must consider the time commitment and ensure adequate time to study.
4. Consider how you would like to study
Many students have additional obligations, meaning they must work and cannot study full-time. In this case, you can look at distance learning options.
Luckily, REGENT offers distance learning for many of our courses. This means you can study while working and simultaneously cut down on tuition costs.
FAQ
Where should you study after matric?
There are many different options available to study, depending on your goals. If you plan on studying for a higher certificate, diploma, or degree, it is best to study at an accredited university, like REGENT Business School.
On the other hand, if you plan on studying short courses to build your skills, you can consider free and paid options, including watching videos on YouTube and more focused learning at formal schools (done online).
Which careers are in demand?
Jobs in the tech industry have seen significant growth in the past several years and continue to gain popularity. Whether you work in the healthcare, business, or IT industries, digitally focused-careers have high demand.
Some of the most in-demand careers include:
- Financial technology
- Digital marketing
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Healthcare technology
- Education and e-learning
- Cybersecurity
What can I do with a bachelor’s pass in matric?
A bachelor’s pass allows you to apply for university programmes in South Africa. You can apply for various undergraduate qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, and degrees.
The exact qualification you pursue depends on your school subjects and marks since some programmes require you to have certain subjects, such as Science, while others require you to have high marks in subjects, such as mathematics and languages.
Study for an undergraduate qualification at REGENT
Now that you know your options and how to find the right course, it is time to explore the different courses.
Are you interested in a higher certificate course? Have a look at our higher certificate courses.
Or, perhaps a diploma sounds better? Have a look at our diplomas.
Or, maybe your goal is to land a high-paying manager position with a degree? Have a look at our vast bachelor of commerce degree options.
Whichever option you choose, ensure you see yourself doing it long-term. This way, you will ensure a happy and fulfilling career.
