There are still many options available for furthering your studies if you have failed Matric. Two of your options are:
- Study without Matric
- Improve your Matric
Study Without Matric
There are many options available for you to study even if you failed Matric, such as:
- Short courses
- ICB courses
Short Courses
Short courses do not require Matric for you to apply. The courses listed below are open-access, which means you only have to meet two requirements. These requirements are that you are 16 or older, and that you can understand, read and write in English.
These courses are designed to improve your workplace skills, so that you can begin your career journey as soon as you have completed your qualification.
Short Courses At Matric College
Short Courses At Skills Academy
- Accounting, Bookkeeping And Finance Courses
- Beauty Courses
- Computer Courses
- Educare And Childcare Courses
- Human Resource Management Courses
- Interior Decorating and Design, and Digital Photography Courses
- Management Courses
- Marketing Courses
- Occupational Health and Safety Courses
- Project Management Courses
- Tourism Courses
- Wedding And Events Planning Courses
Short Courses At Ember Academy
- Beauty Therapist Programme
- Child Daycare Programme
- Child Psychology Programme
- Crèche Management Programme
- Digital Photography Programme
- Event Management Programme
- Facial Skincare Programme
- Guest House Management Programme
- Human Resource Management Programme
- Make-up Application Programme
- Nail Care Programme
- Operational Health and Safety Programme
- Personal Assistant Programme
- Project Management Programme
- Receptionist Courses
- Supply Chain Management Programme
- Tourism Management Programme
- Tourism Marketing Programme
- Wedding Planner Programme
Short Courses At Learning Group
ICB Courses
The ICB courses offered at our colleges are accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa.
The ICB is also internationally recognised, so you can apply for work all over the world with a qualification from ICB. All ICB courses go up to the Diploma level, and none of the three ICB courses require Matric to apply:
ICB Study Stream | Entry Requirement | Accepted Equivalent Examples |
Business Management | Grade 11 or equivalent |
|
Financial Accounting | Grade 10 or equivalent |
|
Office Administration | Matric or equivalent |
|
Where Can I Study ICB Courses?
Many distance learning colleges offer ICB courses. Some reputable ones are:
Improve Your Matric
If you would like to improve your results and pass Matric, you can do that through distance learning. You can choose to rewrite your Matric if you are younger than 21, or you can choose to upgrade your Matric if you are 21 or older.
Matric Rewrite
You can rewrite your Matric to improve your results if you failed, or even if you passed but are unsatisfied with your marks. You may rewrite up to four of your subjects. You may not change any subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote in your Matric final exams.
You can upgrade your Matric to improve your results if you failed, or even if you passed but are unsatisfied with your marks. You may upgrade up to four subjects. However, you may also choose to change four of your subjects.
There is no limit to how many times you can upgrade your Matric. You can apply to upgrade your Matric as early as 19, but you must be 21 or older to write the exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
Where Can I Study Matric Programmes?
There are many reputable colleges that offer Matric programmes through distance learning, such as:
Can You Apply At UNISA If You Failed Matric?
No, you cannot apply to study at UNISA if you have failed Matric. This is because all universities require you to have Matric to apply.
Can I Buy My Matric Certificate?
No, you cannot buy your Matric Certificate. All Matric Certificates are awarded by Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education. Umalusi has stated that participating in the buying and selling of Matric Certificates is a criminal offence.
However, if your Matric Certificate gets lost or damaged, you can apply and pay a fee to get a replacement.
Can Someone Who Failed Matric Go To College?
Yes, there are many reputable colleges that accept students who have not passed Matric, such as:
- Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
- Matric College
- Skills Academy
- Ember Academy
- Learning Group
Who Qualifies For Matric Supplementary Exams?
Matric Supplementary exams are another name for a Matric Rewrite. The Matric Supplementary exam requirements are:
- That you have written Matric
- That you would like to improve the marks in four or fewer of your subjects
- If you are younger than the age of 21
What Have We Learned?
- There are many study options available even if you fail Matric
- You can improve your Matric results if you would like to
- You cannot apply to study at UNISA if you have failed Matric
- You cannot buy your Matric Certificate
- You can still go to college if you failed Matric
- You qualify to upgrade your Matric if you are over 21 and would like to improve your Matric results
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Last Updated: 5 March 2026