There are many reputable distance learning colleges in South Africa, such as:
- Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
- Matric College
- Skills Academy
- Ember Academy
- Learning Group
Each of these colleges offers a wide range of courses you can choose to study. There are a range of entry requirement levels, so you can further your studies no matter what your education level.
What Courses Can I Study?
The courses available are:
- NATED courses
- Matric programmes
- ICB courses
- CIMA courses
- Short courses
NATED Courses
National Accredited Technical Education Diplomas (NATED) courses are designed and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training to help bridge the youth unemployment gap.
NATED courses have been accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa.
There are seven NATED streams of study:
NATED Business Management
National N4 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66871 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N5 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66929 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66995 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Business Management National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67036 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | Business Management National N6 Certificate |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Educare
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66883 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66971 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Educare National N4 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67007 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Educare National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67050 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | Educare National N6 Certificate |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Financial Management
National N4 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66874 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N5 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66954 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Financial Management National N4 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66998 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Financial Management National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67040 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | Financial Management National N6 Certificate |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Human Resource Management
National N4 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66873 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66953 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Human Resource Management National N4 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66997 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Human Resource Management National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67039 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | Human Resource Management National N6 Certificate |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Legal Secretary
National N4 Certificate | |
Qualification | |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66883 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N5 Certificate | |
Qualification | |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66959 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Legal Secretary National N4 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66880 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Legal Secretary National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67035 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Management Assistant
National N4 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66876 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N5 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66956 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Certificate | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67001 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67033 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
NATED Marketing Management
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66872 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N5 Certificate | |
Qualification | |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66952 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Marketing Management National N4 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 66996 |
Credits | 60 |
Entry Requirements | Marketing Management National N5 Certificate |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National N6 Diploma | |
Qualification | Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | QCTO & DHET |
SAQA ID Number | 67037 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | Marketing Management National N6 Certificate |
Subjects | This is the practical part of the qualification and consists of 18 months of work experience |
Career Options |
|
Where Can I Study NATED Courses?
There are many reputable distance learning institutions that offer NATED courses, such as:
Matric Programmes
Matric programmes are options available for those who do not have their Matric. Whether you failed Matric and would like to pass, passed but would like to improve your results, or did not write your Matric, there is an option available. These are the Matric programmes:
- Matric Rewrite
- Matric Upgrade
- Adult Matric
Matric Rewrite
This option is for those under the age of 21 who have written Matric and would like to improve their results. You may rewrite up to four subjects. You cannot change any of your subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams.
There is no limit to how many times you can rewrite your Matric. You can rewrite your Matric up to five years after your Matric year, as long as you are still under the age of 21.
Matric Upgrade
This option is for those over the age of 21 who have written their Matric, but would still like to improve their results. You may upgrade up to four subjects. However, you may also choose to change up to four subjects instead.
There is no limit to how many times you can upgrade your Matric. You are able to apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, however, you must be 21 or older to write the exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
Adult Matric
This option is for those over the age of 21 who did not get to write Matric. This allows adults who have done school up to Grade 9 to get their Matric.
Once you have successfully completed your Adult Matric, you will be awarded your Senior Certificate (Amended). This will then function the same way as a National Senior Certificate, known as school Matric. You can use this to apply for work or to further your studies.
Where Can I Study Matric Programmes?
There are many reputable colleges that offer Matric programmes through distance learning, such as:
ICB Courses
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers courses that have been accredited by ICB and QCTO. This means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa. They are also recognised internationally.
ICB courses are offered through reputable distance learning colleges, and none of their courses require Matric to apply. There are three ICB streams of study.
ICB Business Management
National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 4 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 48736 |
Credits | 120 |
Entry Requirements | Grade 11 or Equivalent Certificate (Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Higher Certificate: Office Administration | |
Qualification | Higher Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 23619 |
Credits | 240 |
Entry Requirements | ICB National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National Diploma: Financial Accounting | |
Qualification | National Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 20366 |
Credits | 280 |
Entry Requirements | ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
ICB Financial Accounting
National Certificate: Bookkeeping | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 3 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 58375 |
Credits | 120 |
Entry Requirements | Grade 10 or equivalent |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping | |
Qualification | FET Certificate |
NQF Level | 4 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 58376 |
Credits | 130 |
Entry Requirements | ICB National Certificate: Bookkeeping |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting | |
Qualification | National Diploma |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 36213 |
Credits | 251 |
Entry Requirements | ICB Further Education And Training Certificate: Bookkeeping |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National Diploma: Financial Accounting | |
Qualification | National Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 20366 |
Credits | 280 |
Entry Requirements | ICB National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
ICB Office Administration
National Certificate: Office Administration | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 23618 |
Credits | 120 |
Entry Requirements | Matric or Matric Equivalent Certificate (Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate or Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate) |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Higher Certificate: Office Administration | |
Qualification | Higher Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 23619 |
Credits | 240 |
Entry Requirements | ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
National Diploma: Office Administration | |
Qualification | National Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | ICB & QCTO |
SAQA ID Number | 35958 |
Credits | 360 |
Entry Requirements | ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Where Can I Study ICB Courses?
Many distance learning colleges offer ICB courses. Some reputable ones are:
CIMA Courses
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) offers their accredited Business Accounting courses through reputable distance learning colleges. These courses go all the way up to the Degree level, and are fully recognised in South Africa as well as internationally.
There are four levels of CIMA courses:
- Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
- Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
- Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
- Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level | |
Qualification | National Certificate |
NQF Level | 5 |
Accredited by | The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
SAQA ID Number | 24418 |
Credits | 120 |
Entry Requirements |
|
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level | |
Qualification | National Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
SAQA ID Number | 24406 |
Credits | 240 |
Entry Requirements | Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level | |
Qualification | Advanced Diploma |
NQF Level | 6 |
Accredited by | The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
SAQA ID Number | 24406 |
Credits | 240 |
Entry Requirements | Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level | |
Qualification | Professional Qualification: Chartered Management Accountant |
NQF Level | 7 |
Accredited by | The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
SAQA ID Number | 20400 |
Credits | 390 |
Entry Requirements | Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level |
Subjects |
|
Career Options |
|
Where Can I Study CIMA Courses?
Many distance learning colleges offer CIMA courses, such as:
Short Courses
The short courses offered at the colleges below are designed to upskill you so that you can begin your career journey as efficiently as possible with the workplace skills you need. These short courses are open-access, which means there are only two entry requirements:
- You must be over the age of 16
- You must be able to understand, read and write in English
You must also be comfortable studying online, as all of our classes are online. Each college offers a different set of short courses.
Short Courses At Matric College
Short Courses At Skills Academy
- Accounting, Bookkeeping And Finance Courses
- Beauty Courses
- Computer Courses
- Educare And Childcare Courses
- Forensics And Policing Courses
- Human Resource Management Courses
- Insurance 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
Is A Distance Education Degree Valid?
Yes, as long as the course you are studying is accredited, and the college you are studying at is approved to offer that course. As long as you have checked these two things, you can be sure the course you are studying is recognised formally.
Does TVET College Offer Distance?
Yes, many TVET colleges do offer distance learning. However, many will still require you to come in for certain classes. Check with the TVET college you are applying to about which courses they offer fully online.
Does NSFAS Fund Distance Learning?
Yes, as long as you are studying at a NSFAS approved institute, you can qualify for funding from NSFAS. Note that NSFAS does not fund postgraduate studies, and does not fund studies at private institutions.
What Have We Learned?
- There are many reputable distance learning colleges in South Africa
- These colleges offer a wide range of accredited and non-accredited courses
- Distance learning qualifications are recognised as long as they are accredited
- TVET colleges do offer distance learning
- NSFAS does fund distance education as long as it is at a NSFAS approved institution
Author: Chloe Bydawell
Editor: Razeen Dollie
Date: July 18, 2022