In today’s fast-changing job market, education is one of the best ways to stay ahead. If you want to start your career, change direction, or build new skills, a higher certificate can be the ideal place to begin.
These short, focused qualifications are designed to give you practical, work-ready knowledge that opens doors to better job opportunities. They also serve as a stepping stone for further study — helping you move toward a diploma or degree in the future.
Whether you’re finishing school or already working and looking to upskill, studying for a higher certificate through distance learning makes it easier to balance your studies with your everyday life.
In this article, we’ll explore what benefits are offered by a higher certificate, the career opportunities it creates, and why studying one through REGENT Business School could be your smartest move yet.
What is a higher certificate?
A higher certificate is an undergraduate qualification that equips you with work-ready skills and knowledge in your chosen field. These qualifications typically take one year to complete and can be pursued through a good distance learning institute.
Essentially, these entry-level tertiary qualifications can be done by anyone who has a national senior certificate and meets basic admission requirements.
Students who want to change careers, those who wish to get an introduction into a specific field or those with specific career interests can all consider this qualification.
Qualifications offered by REGENT Business School include the following:
- Higher Certificate in Accounting
- Higher Certificate in Business Management
- Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship
- Higher Certificate in Health Care Management
- Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Higher Certificate in Islamic Finance, Banking and Law
- Higher Certificate in Management for Estate Agents
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Management
- Higher Certificate in Retail Management
Benefits of a higher certificate through distance learning
What exactly makes higher learning certificates valuable to your career growth? And what benefits can you enjoy when studying through distance learning schools? Some of the main advantages of studying further through a certificate of higher learning include the following:
1. Employability and growth potential
Employees who have further training and qualifications are typically more likely to be employed than those without.
While many other things are also taken into consideration, such as general aptitude for the role, experience and overall skill, qualifications give you a competitive edge.
Specialising in a certain field helps you get a deeper understanding that can enhance your on-the-job experience, making you more of an asset to companies and more likely to get ahead.
2. Higher salary potential
Likewise, employees who have qualifications on their resumes can expect a higher salary level compared to those who have limited training. Once again, this is not always the case — experience should never be overlooked or underestimated.
But having specific training within your chosen career, as well as the experience needed to get a holistic understanding, will definitely put you in a higher earning bracket.
3. Personal growth and development
Studying further can also give you a great deal of self-fulfilment. Learning and expanding your skills gives you greater confidence, a higher level of self-worth, and a greater ability to expand your perspective.
As an added benefit, when studying through a distance education school, you’ll be able to pursue your studies part-time while keeping your current job.
What can I do with a higher certificate?
A higher certificate is more than just a qualification — it’s a stepping stone into the job market. It helps you gain the knowledge and skills-based education needed to start a career or move into a new one.
Because higher certificates focus on practical, job-ready skills, they can open doors to many career opportunities across industries. For example:
- A Higher Certificate in Business Management can lead to entry-level roles such as administrative assistant, junior manager, or sales consultant.
- A Higher Certificate in Accounting can help you become an accounting clerk, payroll assistant, or bookkeeper.
- With a Higher Certificate in Marketing Management, you could work as a marketing assistant, social media coordinator, or brand promoter.
- A Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management can open paths toward becoming an HR assistant or recruitment officer.
- A Higher Certificate in Health Care Management can prepare you for support roles in clinics, hospitals, or community health organisations.
These qualifications build a strong foundation for future study, too. Once you’ve completed your certificate, you can often use it to apply for a diploma or degree, improving your career prospects even more.
In short, a higher certificate helps you enter the job market with confidence, improve your job prospects, and grow your career step by step.
Which higher certificate programmes in South Africa are in demand?
Choosing the right higher certificate can be a smart strategy to boost your job prospects in South Africa’s evolving job market. Some fields are growing faster than others, so picking a certificate in one of those areas can be a wise stepping stone into a stronger career.
Here are a few areas where there are strong career opportunities and where your higher certificate could open doors into the job market:
- Business and accounting – Roles such as bookkeeping, payroll assistants, accounting clerks and junior business operations professionals are always needed. Getting a certificate in accounting or business management gives you practical skills that employers look for.
- Human resource management – As companies grow and change, they need people who understand HR processes. A Higher Certificate in HR can provide a solid foundation and improve your career prospects in recruitment, training or payroll.
- Health care and health services management – South Africa has a growing demand for healthcare support roles and health services management. A certificate in health care management opens paths into clinics, hospitals and community health services.
- Technology and digital skills – While many certificates focus on business fields, the broader labour market shows strong demand for tech-skills (like data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud computing). Even if your higher certificate isn’t in tech, combining a business qualification with digital skills gives you an edge and more career opportunities.
By choosing a certificate in one of these in-demand areas, you’re setting up a stepping stone that not only improves your immediate job prospects but also opens doors for further study or more advanced roles.
FAQs about online higher certificates
What are the entry requirements for a higher certificate?
To study for a Higher Certificate at REGENT Business School, you need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification at NQF Level 4.
In simple terms, this means you must have finished school (matric) and meet the basic admission requirements for the course you’re applying for.
Some programmes may ask for certain subjects, but most are open to anyone who wants to start building a career in business, management, or a related field.
Can I use a higher certificate to apply for a diploma or degree?
Yes! A higher certificate can act as a stepping stone to further study. Once you’ve completed it, you can often apply for a diploma or degree in a related field.
This is one of the best parts about a higher certificate. It helps you enter the job market faster, but it also keeps your study path open if you want to grow your qualifications later.
How long does it take to complete a higher certificate at REGENT?
Most higher certificates at REGENT Business School take one year of full-time study to complete. If you’re studying part-time or through distance learning, you can spread the course out over a longer period to fit your work or personal schedule.
This flexible approach makes it easier for working adults or busy students to earn their qualification at their own pace.
Study a REGENT Business School higher certificate
Studying further is the best way to maintain key skills within your chosen career, while also giving yourself a distinct advantage in the competitive career marketplace.
From a community perspective, skilled, trained people give back to the economy and help to uplift those around them as well. With that in mind, higher certifications are great skills-based education programmes to help you grow, learn and thrive — whatever your chosen path may be.
