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No Matric Courses

If you do not have a Matric Certificate, Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers a range of qualifications to study with no National Senior Certificate.

Available Courses You Can Study Without Matric

Our Accreditation 

Bellview Institute of Distance Learning is accredited by the following educational bodies to offer you the ability to complete an equivalent certificate:

  • Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) – Accreditation Number: 301089
  • Quality Council For Trades and Occupations (QCTO) – Bellview Institute of Distance Learning Pty. Ltd. 
  • The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) – Exam Division Number: 019992110 / 1199995016


Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) –
Accreditation Number: 301089

Institute of Certified Bookkeepers is aimed at giving students scarce skills. These skills are held in high regard and increase your chances of being employed.

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Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate (Matric Equivalent)

SAQA ID Number: 48736
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Qualification Type: National Certificate 
Originator: SGB GET & FET Business, Commerce and Management Studies 
Course Credits: 120
NQF level: 4


Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate

SAQA ID Number: 58375
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification Type: National Certificate
Originator: SGB HET Accountancy and Financial Management
Course Credits: 120
NQF level 3


Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate (Matric Equivalent)

SAQA ID Number: 58375
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification Type: National Certificate
Originator: SGB HET Accountancy and Financial Management
Course Credits: 130
NQF level 4


Adult Matric Accreditation

After the promulgation of the Joint Communique 1 of 2016, FET, TVET, and Private Colleges were required to be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. This registration would then provide accreditation to those FET, TVET, and Private Colleges to offer certain certificates and qualifications.

This requirement was however revoked in Communique 1 of 2020, first published in the Government Gazette on the 7th of February 2020, Mr. GF Qonde, the Director-General for Higher Education and Training.

As stated in section 4.1 of the Government Gazette of the 7th of February 2020, Private Colleges, “are no longer required to lodge applications for registration with (the) Department (of Higher Education and Training) as private colleges or private higher education institutions as contemplated in the Joint Communique 1 of 2016.”

Thus Private Colleges cannot apply for registration with the Department of Higher Education and Training as that process is no longer part of the regulations of the DHET. Colleges and Institutions that had the accreditation as prescribed by the DHET before 2020, retain that accreditation until the date of expiry (this usually happens within three to five years after receiving accreditation). After this happens, it is not needed or possible to be renewed.

As per the Government Gazette of the 7th of February 2020, the newly instated accreditation process requires private educational institutions and colleges to get accreditation from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), after which they apply for an Exam Number from the DHET Exams Division.

To qualify for this exam number, the college or institution must pass the DHET Exams Division Registration requirements, which include a site visit from the DHET Exams Division. If successful and the college or institution passes, the DHET issues a letter to confirm its exam number and accreditation.

SAQA ID Number: 49647
Course: Amended Senior Certificate
Programme Type: National Qualification
Award Issued By: Umalusi
Accredited By: Umalusi
NQF Level: Level 4

Courses You Can Study Without Matric

  • Accredited ICB Courses You Can Apply For Without Matric
  • Adult Matric


Accredited ICB Courses You Can Apply for Without Matric

  • Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate – NQF 4
  • Apply for Bookkeeping: ICB National CertificateNQF level 3. Once you have completed the Bookkeeping ICB National Certificate you can apply for the Bookkeeping: ICB FET CertificateNQF level 4
  • Amended Senior Certificate: Adult Matric – NQF level 4


Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate (Matric Equivalent)

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SAQA ID Number: 48736
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Qualification Type: National Certificate
Originator: SGB GET & FET Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Course Credits: 120
NQF level: 4


Application Requirements

For you to successfully apply to study Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate the following requirements need to be met:

  • You will need to have completed Grade 11/Standard 9 or equivalent, or
  • If you did not complete Grade 11/Standard 9 then you can complete the ICB Financial Accounting Programme. Upon completion, you will be accepted into the business management programme

Instructional Offering/Exit Level Outcomes:

The qualifying learner will be able to:

  • Record business transactions, produce quotations and invoices the and prepare reconciliation statements as per organisational requirements and recognised bookkeeping practice
  • Calculate Value Added Tax and prepare returns as required by legislation
  • Calculate gross pay, statutory deductions and prepare IRP 5s as required by legislation
  • Prepare and interpret final accounts as per organisational requirements
  • Calculate the cost of a product and distinguish between fixed and variable costs, carry out break-even analysis and calculate the selling price of a product
  • Calculate working capital for an organisation
  • Prepare a business plan and a budget for a small business
  • Communicate effectively in the workplace

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

The learner who acquires this qualification should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

  • Make payments as per organisational requirements
  • Calculate Value Added Tax using the current rules and rates of VAT
  • Calculate gross wages from time records
  • Make adjustments for stock evaluation, depreciation, and bad debts
  • Calculate the level of the working capital required in the business
  • Draw up financial business plans

Course Duration

The course duration of the Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate is 12 months.


Award Type

Upon completion of this 12-month program, if you are successful you will be awarded your ICB National Certificate in Small Business Financial Management. This is equivalent to a full matric certificate.


Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate

SAQA ID Number: 58375
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification Type: National Certificate
Originator: SGB HET Accountancy and Financial Management
Course Credits: 120
NQF level 3


Application Requirements

For you to successfully apply to study Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate the following requirements need to be met:

  • You need to have passed Grade 10 or equivalent, and
  • At least be 16 years of age or older

Instructional Offering/Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Administer credit transactions
  • Apply knowledge of income, receipts, payments, and expenses
  • Administer Value Added Tax (VAT) transactions
  • Complete reconciliation statements
  • Administer petty cash
  • Apply knowledge and understanding of personal taxation
  • Apply knowledge of business taxation
  • Record business financial transactions

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

The learner who acquires this qualification should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

  • Identify and solve problems by thinking and making responsible decisions
  • Work with others as a member of a team
  • Organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate the performance
  • Communicate well using mathematical and language skills
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving situations do not exist in isolation
  • Benefit by full personal development, thus contributing to the social and economic development of South African society at large

Course Duration

The course duration of the Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate is 16 months.


Award Type

Upon completion of this 16-month program, if you are successful, you will be awarded your ICB National Certificate in Bookkeeping. This is not equivalent to a full matric certificate by itself.


Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate

SAQA ID Number: 58375
Qualification Title: National Certificate: Bookkeeping
Qualification Type: National Certificate
Originator: SGB HET Accountancy and Financial Management
Course Credits: 130
NQF level 4


Application Requirements

For you to successfully apply to study Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate the following requirements need to be met:

  • You will have needed to pass and obtain your Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate

Instructional Offering/Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Finalise accounts
  • Draft financial statements
  • Maintain financial records 
  • Prepare ledger accounts
  • Calculate and record Value Added Tax transactions
  • Establish, maintain and use a computerised bookkeeping system

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

The learner who acquires this qualification should be able to demonstrate the ability to:

  • Identify and solve problems by thinking and making responsible decisions
  • Work with others as a member of a team
  • Organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate the performance
  • Communicate well using mathematical and language skills
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving situations do not exist in isolation
  • Benefit by full personal development, thus contributing to the social and economic development of South African society at large

Course Duration

The course duration of the Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate is 24 months.


Award Type

Upon completion of this 24-month program, if you are successful, you will be awarded your ICB FET Certificate in Bookkeeping. This is not equivalent to a full matric certificate by itself.


Adult Matric: Amended Senior Certificate

SAQA ID Number: 49647
Course: Amended Senior Certificate
Programme Type: National Qualification
Award Issued By: Umalusi
Accredited By: Umalusi
NQF Level: Level 4


Application Requirements

For you to successfully apply and complete your Adult Matric: Amended Senior Certificate, the following requirements need to be met:

  • A Grade 9 (Standard 7) school report
  • A Grade 9 equivalent, accredited programme, for example, the ABET programme – note that the programme must be at NQF Level 1, and it must include two official languages
  • An incomplete matric result
  • You need to be 21 years old when you write your exams during May and June

Course Duration

The course duration for an Adult Matric: Amended Senior Certificate is recommended to be done in either 12 or 24 months. 


Award Type

Upon completion of your Adult Matric exams, if you are successful, you will be awarded your Amended Senior Certificate through Umalusi.

Benefits of Studying At Bellview Institute of Distance Learning

Choosing to study a matric equivalent certificate or amended senior certificate through Bellview Institute of Distance Learning gives you the following benefits:

  • We provide expert student support and all of your questions and concerns will be handled and resolved within 24 hours
  • Upon completion of your registration with us, you will receive your coursework and study material within five to seven business days
  • After submitting your assignments and assessments, your well trained and professional tutors will mark them and provide feedback as soon as possible, to highlight areas where you do well or areas where you need to improve
  • Bellview allows you to register throughout the year
  • After successful registration, you will receive access to our wide range of study groups and tutor support through the Together We Pass Platform
  • We have many different easy methods to apply to study through Bellview:
No Matric Courses FOI Article Infograph

Will It Benefit Me To Continue My Studies Without Ever Completing My Matric In School?

Yes, it most definitely will! Currently, in South Africa, we are experiencing growth in the youth unemployment number every year. This has been and continues to be a massive problem. With many individuals never completing their school careers or failing to pass their final matric exams, the effect this has on our country is huge. When choosing to continue your education, especially without matric, you put yourself in the position to still be able to gain great knowledge and skills in certain selected fields.

This means that you put yourself in a position to become more easily employable. The truth is that one can never know enough, and simply because you do not have a matric certificate, does not disqualify you from gaining employment and progressing in a career of your choice. Continuing your studies guarantees that you will reap the benefits so many choose to not attempt. 


Apply for a Matric Equivalent Certificate To Further Your Studies

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You can apply for these courses without a matric certificate.

  • Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate – NQF 4
  • Apply for Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate – NQF level 3. Once you have completed the Bookkeeping ICB National Certificate you can apply for the Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate – NQF level 4


An equivalent certificate such as this is designed for individuals who want to gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a certain industry. These courses are available to anyone to study, even those who did not pass matric.


How can a matric equivalent benefit me when I want to study further?

Completing a matric equivalent certificate puts you in the position to easily apply and get admission to certain courses. These courses cover a range of industries, assuring you of employment opportunities when completed successfully. A matric equivalent certificate qualifies you to further your studies, which in South Africa is a very valuable thing.

These courses are all accredited and provide you with technical and theoretical skills in a range of fields that make up the growing list of scarce skills in South Africa. 


Courses you can study with your Matric Equivalent Certificate

The following are the National Accredited Training and Educational Diplomas that you can apply to and study after getting your Matric Equivalent Certificate:

Business Management: NATED Qualifications

Financial Management: NATED Qualifications

Management Assistant: NATED Qualifications

Human Resource Management: NATED Qualifications

Office Administration: ICB Qualifications

  • Office Administration: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Office Administration: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)

Bookkeeping And Accounting: ICB Qualifications

  • Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 3)
  • Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate (NQF Level 4)
  • Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)
  • Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 5)

Business Management: ICB Qualifications

  • Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 4)
  • Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)


Apply for An Amended Senior Certificate To Further Your Studies


The Amended Senior Certificate, also known as an Adult Matric Certificate is the equivalent certificate awarded to individuals who choose to and successfully complete the examination sessions set by the Department of Higher Education and Training. These exams are aimed at students 21 years or older upon writing, and who did not pass their initial matric exams during their matric year.


How can an Adult Matric Senior Certificate benefit me when I want to study further?

When you have an Adult Matric, also known as an Amended Senior Certificate, you are able to further your education in various ways. Having this certificate will make your application for certain non-university-level courses much easier. For example, courses offered at FET, TVET, Private Colleges, and Distance Learning Institutions. If your results for your Adult Matric are of a set standard you can use it to also apply for bachelors studies at any University nationwide.


Courses you can study with your Amended Senior Certificate (Adult Matric):

Business Management: NATED Qualifications

Financial Management: NATED Qualifications

Management Assistant: NATED Qualifications

Human Resource Management: NATED Qualifications

Educare: NATED Qualifications

  • Educare: NATED N4 National Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Educare: NATED N5 National Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Educare: NATED N6 National Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Educare: NATED N6 National Diploma (NQF Level 6) Educare N6 National Diploma upon completing 18 months of practical work experience

Legal Secretary: NATED Qualifications

Office Administration: ICB Qualifications

  • Office Administration: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Office Administration: ICB Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Office Administration: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)

Bookkeeping And Accounting: ICB Qualifications

  • Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 3)
  • Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate (NQF Level 4)
  • Certified Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)
  • Technical Financial Accounting: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 5)

Business Management: ICB Qualifications

  • Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate (NQF Level 4)
  • Office Administration – Business Management: ICB Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5)
  • Financial Accounting – Business Management: ICB National Diploma (NQF Level 6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some career paths you can follow if you do not have a matric certificate:

  • Security Officer
  • Sales Representative
  • Learnerships
  • Tutor
  • Recruiter
  • General Assistant

Unfortunately not. To study at a University throughout South Africa, you will need to have a matric certificate. This certificate needs to reflect a certain minimum grade per subject for you to pass with the ability to qualify for University acceptance.

If you want to go to university you can apply for an Adult Matric programme. Once you complete your Adult Matric you can apply to a university if you meet the requirements of the programme you would like to study.

There are many opportunities in South Africa for those who do not have a matric certificate. You can apply to complete a matric equivalent certificate, for example:


Accredited ICB Courses You Can Apply for Without Matric


Apply for Adult Matric


All of which can be studied through Bellview Institute of Distance Learning, these courses are made to provide you with a certain set of skills to help you in getting a job or better job opportunities.

Depending on what you wish to do after your school career. If you want to apply for further education, you might need a matric certificate depending on the course. Universities require a matric certificate for you to apply for further studies. If you wish to gain better employment it is recommended that you have a matric certificate or an equivalent certificate.

Certain institutions, such as Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offer a range of higher education courses that can be studied with a matric equivalent certificate. 

If you are over the age of 16 and have completed Grade 10 then you can apply to study the following subjects at UNISA:

  • Beauty Therapy Studies
  • Bookkeeping and Accounting Studies
  • Child Day Care Studies
  • Computer Studies
  • Management Studies
  • Occupational Health and Safety Studies
  • Policing, Investigations and Forensic Studies
  • Project Management Studies
  • Workplace Administration and Secretarial Studies
  • Work Environment Skills Quick Courses

Unfortunately, there are no quick ways to get your Matric Certificate. If you choose to study for a matric equivalent certificate or an Amended Senior Certificate (Adult Matric), your minimum course length will be between 12 and 24 months.

No, you can not. To apply to join the South African Police Department you will need a matric certificate that meets the minimum language requirements as well as either mathematics or mathematical literacy. It is required that you be fluent in English and one other official language.

Yes, you can. As part of the National Diploma for Sound Engineering and Music Production offered by certain FET Colleges. This course has been designed for those who wish to pursue a career in music but do not have a Matric Certificate.

There are several institutions that offer qualifications you can study without a matric certificate, for example:

  • Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
  • Skills Academy
  • The Learning Group
  • Home Study College
  • TWP Academy
  • The Decor School

No, to apply for further studies at a University in South Africa, you need to have obtained a traditional matric certificate during high school with the minimum requirements needed to apply for further tertiary education at Universities throughout South Africa.

No, you will not be able to complete matric in such a short period of time. The minimum course duration for Adult Matric is 12 moths or 24 months respectively.

Matric is a good foundational qualification to have. Most entry-level jobs and educational institutions only require a matric certificate. Note that you need to have specific pass requirements to further your studies.

Matric or a National Senior Certificate is on an NQF level 04.

No, you cannot. Buying a matric certificate is a legal offense punishable by fines or up to five years of jail time.

A Matric equivalent certificate is a certificate that is on the same level as matric (NQF 4). These certificates are more specialised in terms of studies – you will not complete the traditional matric subjects but rather follow a study stream that is specific to the study field you wish to pursue.

The Adult Matric course can be completed through Distance Learning. The qualification you will receive is on an NQF level 04, just like the standard matric certificate.

Umalusi acts as the accreditation body for matric courses.

Yes, you can. Bellview offers a selection of courses that do not require a Matric Certificate for you to register.

Since most FET colleges offer courses that improve practical or technical skills in specific fields, you can study certain courses at an FET college even if you do not have matric.

Bellview offers No Matric courses which include:

  • Adult Matric: Amended Senior Certificate
  • Matric Upgrade: Amended Senior Certificate
  • Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate
  • Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
  • Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate

Yes, you can. However, having a Matric Certificate or a Matric Equivalent qualification will further increase your chances of getting a job.

An Amended Senior Certificate is a Matric Certificate that is available to people aged 21 years or older who are no longer in school and have not completed their matric year.

The Matric qualification is on an NQF level 04.

Matric is a Senior Certificate and is on an NQF level 04. A degree is on an NQF level 07, so matric is not a degree.

Bellview Institute of Distance Learning offers No Matric Courses. You can register for one of our No Matric courses without a Matric Certificate.

Yes, you can. You can register for your Matric programme at Bellview Institute of Distance Learning. You can study from the comfort of your home and you do not need to go in for classes. However, you will have to write the exam at an approved DHET exam venue.

At Bellview Institute of Distance Learning, you can register for our No Matric courses if you are at least 16 years old.

Matric is on an NQF level 04. Therefore if you have a Matric Certificate, you have already reached NQF level 4. If you do not have a matric certificate, then you can do the following courses:

You have some study options even if you do not have a Matric Certificate. If you wish to further your studies, you can apply for the No Matric courses at Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

If you have not completed your Matric, you can apply for the Matric Programmes. This will expand your study options. Alternatively, you can study the No Matric courses offered at Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

No, you cannot. To register for our Educare Diploma courses, you are required to have Matric.

No, you cannot. NSFAS will only fund you if you have successfully passed Matric and are applying to study at a public higher education institution.

No, you cannot. To study for a degree, you will need to have a Matric Certificate with a Bachelors Degree pass.

No, you cannot. The recommended duration for Matric courses is between 12 and 24 months.

Yes, having a Matric certificate means you can qualify to study a wider variety of courses which will benefit your future. However, you can still study a few courses with no Matric.

It will take you between 12 and 24 months to complete the Matric courses.

The entry requirements for our ICB courses vary. For information on a specific course, contact our course specialists.

No. All Universities that offer a teaching course require students to have a matric or at least an NQF level 4 certificate.

Studying nursing without matric is very difficult. If you wish to study at a university it requires matric but, if you take a health course through a TVET college it will equip you with the skills to do nursing. This however requires Grade 9.

In most cases, no you cannot become a paramedic without a matric certificate. EMT training for paramedics you unfortunately do need to have a matric certificate. Once you have your matric certificate, there are different paths that can be taken such as studying full-time or getting in-service training.

No, you cannot study a NATED course if you do not have a Matric Certificate. You must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an Amended Senior Certificate to study any NATED course at Bellview Institute of Distance Learning and work towards obtaining your National Diploma qualification.

Yes. You can study the Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate at Bellview Institute Of Distance Learning

Yes, especially if you want more employment and study opportunities. Having a Matric certificate will help you improve your future by allowing you to apply for a number of accredited courses. With a Matric certificate you also stand a better chance of being considered for internships and trainee programmes.

No. If you want to pursue a NATED qualification, you will need to have a Matric certificate.

Bellview’s ICB Accreditation number is 301089.

The Small Business Financial Management course subjects are:

  • Business Management 1
  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
  • Business Literacy

The Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate is issued by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and FASSET.

The subjects you will be covering in the Small Business Financial Management Diploma course is:

  • Business Management 1
  • Bookkeeping to Trial Balance
  • Business Literacy

The Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate subjects are:

  • Financial Statements
  • Cost and Management Accounting

No, you cannot study a NATED course without a Matric certificate.

It would depend on what you intend on studying. If you would like to attend University, a Matric certificate important.

Yes, you can go to a TVET college without a Matric certificate. They offer a variety of courses that can be studied without needing a Matric.

Author: Morné van Emmenis
Editor: Sanel Van Staden
Date Published: November 29, 2021