Yes, a Senior Certificate (SC) is a Matric certificate. It is just obtained differently from the National Senior Certificate (NSC) you receive in high school.
A Senior Certificate is more commonly known as an Adult Matric certificate and can be obtained from a college such as Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.
What Is A Senior Certificate?
A Senior Certificate is a Matric certificate you can pursue if you were not able to complete your Matric in high school. If you left high school for a variety of reasons, it does not mean you will never be able to obtain your Matric in order to further your studies or find employment.
A Senior Certificate can help many South African citizens improve their futures and living conditions.
What Level Is A Senior Certificate?
A Senior Certificate (SC) is at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
How Do I Qualify For A Senior Certificate?
You will qualify for a Senior Certificate (SC) if you have a grade 9 report or equivalent. For example, a programme such as the ABET programme. The programme must include two (2) official South African languages and be on NQF Level 1. You must also be 21 years old or older when you take your first examination.
How Long Does A Senior Certificate Take To Do?
Your Senior Certificate will take you, on average, between 12 and 24 months to complete. It all depends on whether you are a full-time or part-time student, as well as how much time you devote to studying.
This can be a bit challenging for someone who has a full-time job and family responsibilities at home. That is why you should not be hasty and take as much time as you need.
What Is A National Senior Certificate?
A National Senior Certificate (NSC) is the traditional Matric certificate you will receive after completing your Matric year in high school. It is a proudly South African qualification, and it can take students between three (3) and five (5) years to complete their National Senior Certificate (NSC).
What Is The Difference Between An NSC And An SC?
Here are the differences between an NSC and an SC:
| National Senior Certificate (NSC) | Amended Senior Certificate (SC) |
| Awarded after completing high school | It is completed at a college |
| Must be younger than 21 | Must be 21 or older |
| Contains tests, assignments and examinations | Only contains examinations |
| Must attend in person classes | Is studied from home |
| Must take seven (7) subjects and pass six (6) | Must take six (6) subjects and pass five (5) |
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Matric Certificate?
Here are some benefits of having a Matric certificate:
- You can apply for internships
- Apply for entry-level job opportunities
- Study further at a university or a college
- Apply for apprenticeships
- Stand out from competitors
What Does My Matric Symbol Mean?
Below you will find a table on what your Matric symbol means:
| Matric symbol | Percentage | Code | Type of achievement |
| A | 80% – 100% | 7 | Outstanding |
| B | 70% – 79% | 6 | Meritorious |
| C | 60% – 69% | 5 | Substantial |
| D | 50% – 59% | 4 | Moderate |
| E | 40% – 49% | 3 | Adequate |
| F | 30% – 39% | 2 | Elementary |
| FF | 0 – 29% | 1 | Not Achieved |
How Many Subjects Are Needed To Pass Matric?
You will need to pass six (6) out of your seven (7) subjects for your National Senior Certificate (NSC). For your Amended Senior Certificate (SC), you will need to pass five (5) out of the six (6) subjects you must take.
What Are Compulsory Subjects?
Compulsory subjects are subjects that all students must take to complete their Matric certificate. They are critical in providing students with the skills and knowledge they will need in their daily lives.
A Matric student is required to take the following subjects:
- One (1) Home Language
- One (1) First Additional Language
- One (1) Mathematical Subject
- Life Orientation
How Do You Get Seven (7) Distinctions In Matric?
To earn all seven (7) distinctions in Matric, you will need to study very hard. Getting a distinction will make your Matric certificate stand out and increase your chances of getting into your course of choice.
So, find a study method that works for you and stick to a well-planned study schedule. By making time for your studies every day, you will be able to get through all of your study material and pass with distinctions.
What Are The Four (4) Matric Passes?
Here are the four (4) types of passes you can achieve in Matric:
- Bachelor’s Pass
- Diploma Pass
- Higher Certificate Pass
- National Senior Certificate Pass
What Is A Bachelor’s Pass?
This is the highest pass you can achieve in Matric. With this pass, you can choose to study for a degree programme at a university.
Here is how to get this type of pass:
- At least 40% in your Home Language subject
- At least 50% in four (4) other subjects
- At least 30% in two (2) other subjects
- Pass six (6) out of your seven (7) subjects
What Is A Diploma Pass?
This is the second-highest pass you can achieve in Matric. You can study for a diploma at a college, a TVET college, or some universities.
Here is how to get this pass:
- At least 40% in your Home Language subject
- At least 40% in four (4) other subjects
- At least 30% in two (2) other subjects
- Pass six (6) out of your seven (7) subjects
What Is A Higher Certificate Pass?
With a higher certificate pass, you will be able to study for a higher certificate at a college or take various certificate courses online.
This is how to achieve this pass:
- At least 40% in your Home Language subject
- At least 40% in two (2) other subjects
- At least 30% in three (3) other subjects
- Pass six (6) out of your seven (7) subjects
What Is A National Senior Certificate Pass?
This is the lowest possible score on your Matric certificate. It is not advisable to aim for the bare minimum when writing your Matric because your study options are limited in comparison to the other passes.
Here is how to get this pass:
- At least 40% in your Home Language subject
- At least 40% in two (2) other subjects
- Pass six (6) out of your seven (7) subjects
What Is A Post-Matric Qualification?
A post-Matric qualification is a qualification you pursue after you have already completed your Matric certificate. This Matric certificate can be a Senior Certificate (SC) or a National Senior Certificate (NSC).
Where Can I Study Without Matric?
At Bellview Institute of Distance Learning, you can study without a Matric certificate. We offer a variety of courses to assist you in obtaining your Matric certificate or furthering your studies with our non-Matric ICB courses.
Which Courses Can I Study Without Matric?
If you do not have a Matric certificate, you can study some of our ICB courses. The ICB courses and entry requirements are as follows:
- Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Entry Requirement: Grade 10 Certificate or an Equivalent
- Entry Requirement: Grade 10 Certificate or an Equivalent
- Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate
- Entry Requirement: Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Entry Requirement: Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
- Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate
- Entry Requirement: Grade 11 or an Equivalent OR Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate
Do Universities Accept Amended Senior Certificates?
Yes, universities will accept your Amended Senior Certificate (SC) if you want to study a degree course. If you have the right APS and subject choices, you can apply. A Senior Certificate has exactly the same value as a National Senior Certificate (NSC).
What Course Can I Study With A National Senior Certificate Pass?
With a National Senior Certificate, you can study any of our NATED diploma or ICB programmes. To enrol in the first course of a NATED diploma programme, all you need is a Matric certificate with any type of pass.
Employers value NATED qualifications because they demonstrate that students have both the necessary educational background and work experience.
Here are the NATED courses we offer:
| NATED diploma programme | Courses in the programme |
| Business Management | |
| Human Resource Management | |
| Marketing Management | |
| Educare | |
| Financial Management | |
| Legal Secretary | |
| Management Assistant |
If you want to learn about bookkeeping, accounting, business management, or office administration, then an ICB programme is for you. They are internationally recognised qualifications created by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB).
Below is a table of all the ICB courses we offer:
| ICB programme | Courses in the programme |
| ICB Office Administration | |
| ICB Bookkeeping And Accounting | |
| ICB Business Management |
What Are The Benefits Of Studying With Bellview Institute Of Distance Learning?
Studying with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning holds many benefits for its students, such as:
- Study while you work
- Study from anywhere in South Africa
- Design a study schedule that suits you
- Receive your study materials right to your doorstep
- Have access to helpful study groups
- Have tutors available to assist you
- Receive quality education at an affordable price
How Can I Apply?
You can apply for any of our courses by simply contacting us using one of the methods listed below:
- Fill out an online application form
- Speak to a course specialist
- Give us a call on: 021 838 8280
- Send a WhatsApp or call us: 065 656 9818
frequently asked questions
A Senior Certificate with endorsement indicates that you received at least 50% in four (4) of your subjects. In other words, you have a bachelor’s pass and can apply for a degree program if you meet all the university’s other requirements.
No, a Grade 11 certificate is not a National Senior Certificate (NSC). A National Senior Certificate (NSC) is awarded to you after you complete Grade 12 in high school.
This means that after you have completed Grade 11, you will still need to complete one (1) more grade to receive your National Senior Certificate.
You will still receive and pass your Matric certificate even if you do not pass Maths. This is because you are allowed to not pass one (1) subject in Matric and still pass.
The lowest pass in Matric is a National Senior Certificate pass for an NSC or an Amended Senior Certificate pass for an SC. With this type of pass, you can study a course that only requires a pass in Matric.
A good mark in Matric would be anything from 80% and above. Having 80% or above in a subject means you have a distinction, which is highly valued by tertiary institutions.
Author: Esmari Pool
Editor: Connor Bergsma
Date Published: January 25, 2023