Chapter 3 Career Choices Summary

Where higher education takes place in South Africa

 Universities – Offer mainly degrees. Study here if you want to follow a profession like medicine or law.
 University of Technology – Offer certificates, diplomas, or degrees in technology. Courses are practical and lead
directly to a job or career.
 Comprehensive Universities – Offer both university and university of technology qualifications.

Entry Level Qualifications

 Higher certificates, diplomas, and bachelor's degrees.
 These are the starting points if you want to study further.

What does it mean when a qualification has credits?

 It shows how long it will take to get the qualification and how hard you will need to work.
 It is the minimum requirement – some might take longer.

How many hours of study time is 1 credit?

 1 credit = 10 hours of study time.

One credit is 10 hours of study time, and a full time student studies for 30 weeks a year. Use this information to do
these calculations

Amount of credits for different qualifications:

 Certificate – 120
 National Certificate – 130
 Higher Certificate – 120
 Advanced Certificate – 120
 Diploma – 120
 Advanced Diploma – 120
 Bachelor’s Degree – 360
 Postgraduate Diploma – 120
 Bachelor’s Honours – 120
 Master’s Degree – 180
 Doctoral Degree – 360
What is an FET College?
 FET stands for Further Education and Training.
 Registered with the Department of Higher Education (DHET).
 Provides vocational or occupational training in a specific field.

Can you study at a university after attending an FET college?

 Yes. If you studied a related course, the FET college could provide the background needed for university
entrance.

Education System in South Africa

 General Education (GE) – First 9 years of school. Grade 1 to 9
 Further Education and Training (FET) – Final 3 years of school OR a related certificate/diploma. Grade 10 -12
 Higher Education (HE) – University-level studies, usually theoretical.

Adult Students
 AET (Adult Education and Training) is available for adults wanting to complete or achieve their senior
certificate.
 AET is not vocational or skills-based – it follows a set curriculum.

Entry Requirements for FET College

 Few entrance requirements – open to as many people as possible.
 Must be 16 years or older.
 Designed to teach marketable skills for career progress.

Difference Between Public and Private FET Colleges

 Public FET colleges are government-run and subsidized by the state.
 Private FET colleges must register with the DHET to offer accredited courses.

Why check a college’s accreditation?

 Many fraudulent institutions offer unregistered courses.
 Make sure the course is accredited by the relevant professional body.
Which industry fields are supported by FET colleges?
 Agriculture
 Business
 Commerce
 Management
 Education and Training
 Engineering
 Manufacturing and Technology
 Services
 Building Construction
 Security

1. Requirements for Admission to Additional and Higher Education Courses

1.1 Types of Qualifications

 Higher Certificate: Introductory knowledge & practical skills, workplace-focused, can lead to further studies.
 Diploma: Career-specific, includes practical experience, can lead to a degree.
 Bachelor’s Degree: Broad education, theoretical focus, allows further study (postgrad).

1.2 FET (Further Education and Training) Colleges

 FET colleges are registered with the Department of Higher Education.
 They offer vocational/occupational training.
 3 Education Bands: General Education (R–9), FET (10–12), Higher Education (university).
 Entrance: Must be 16 or older, few requirements.
 Public vs Private: Public are state-funded; private must be registered with DHET.
 Courses: Range from short (9 months) to full diplomas (3 years).
 Fields: Agriculture, Business, Engineering, Education, Security, etc.
 Distance learning options available (e.g. College SA).

NSC Subjects and APS System Summary

NSC Subjects and Credits

 NSC subjects used for entry into higher certificate, diploma, and degree courses have a credit value of 20.
 Life Orientation has a credit value of 10.
 Some universities only use the 20-credit subjects to calculate your APS.
 Others include Life Orientation in the total APS score.

What is the APS system?

 APS = Admission Point Score.
 It gives you points based on the marks you achieve in your final NSC exams.
 The higher your marks, the higher your APS.
 Universities use your APS to decide whether you qualify for a specific course.

What’s the difference between NSC and APS levels?

 The NSC (National Senior Certificate)
 The APS system has two top levels, allowing more detailed scoring for excellent performance.
1.3 Admission Point Score (APS)
NSC Rating % Achieved APS Points

Level 8 90–100% 8

Level 7 80–89% 7

Level 6 70–79% 6

Level 5 60–69% 5

Level 4 50–59% 4

Level 3 40–49% 3

Level 2 30–39% 2

Level 1 0–29% 1

1.4 NSC Subjects

 Group A (Compulsory): Home Language, First Additional Language, Maths/Maths Literacy, Life Orientation.
 Group B (Electives): Business Studies, Geography, History, Life Sciences, Accounting, etc.

Minimum Requirements for Admission

Higher Certificate
- Pass NSC with:
• 1 official Home Language: 40% (APS 3) or more
• 2 other subjects: 40% (APS 3) or more
• 3 additional subjects: 30% (APS 2) or more
- Note: Some institutions may have extra APS requirements for specific subjects.

Diploma
- Pass NSC with:
• 1 official Home Language: 40% (APS 3) or better
• 3 other subjects: 40% (APS 3) or better (Life Orientation excluded)
• 2 additional subjects: 30% (APS 2) or more
- Note: Some diplomas (e.g., Datametrics) may require passes in Maths or IT.

Bachelor’s Degree
- Pass NSC with:
• 1 official Home Language: 40% (APS 3) or more
• 4 designated subjects: 50% (APS 4) or more
• 2 other subjects: 30% (APS 2) or more
- Note: Some degrees (e.g., BSc) may require Maths and Physical Science.
1.6 SAQA and the NQF Framework
 SAQA sets standards and manages the NQF.
 NQF is a system for registering qualifications (e.g., NQF 4 = higher certificate).
2. What is TVET?
- Combines education, training, and skills development.
- Technical: Software/hardware, engineering.
- Vocational: Employment-based, hands-on skills.
- Education: High school to tertiary education.
- Training: Lifelong learning, upskilling.
3. TVET vs University
- TVET provides practical training; universities focus on theory.
- TVET accepts learners from Grade 9–12; universities require bachelor’s pass.
- TVET qualifications differ from university degrees but can lead to further study (e.g., BTech).

4. National Benchmark Tests (NBT)

- Required for many universities.
- Tests academic readiness, literacy, and numeracy.
- Two parts: AQL (compulsory), MAT (only for certain degrees).
- Can be written before NSC exams for bursary or early application.
- Written once; results are shared with all institutions – results will be combined with your NSC results and
determines what program you can be placed in

5. NBT Test Details

 - AQL: -Academic literacy and quantitive literacy – 3 hours and 5 minutes to write. The AQL (compulsory for all
learners who are required to write the NBT) tests
- MAT: Core Maths – problem solving, trigonometry, functions, etc. – three hour test

6. Admission Requirements for Specific Courses

- Institutions and departments may have different admission requirements.
- Life Orientation counts for half the APS points but is still considered important.

What does the NBT test

* The NBTs measure academic readiness for university study.
*Reflects expectations for first year students in university programmes.
*Each test requires you to apply prior learning - what you
know and can do.

What do the SA universities use NBT for

*South African universities use the NBTs (with NSC results) for access to higher education, while others use the
tests to determine the type of learning support a student could need during their studies.
2. Options for Financial Assistance
 Bursaries/Scholarships: For academic or sports excellence.
 Merit Awards: Based on good results.
 Financial Aid: Based on financial need.
 Study Loans: From banks, must be repaid.
 Parents/Guardians: May pay fees.
 Work While Studying: Part-time jobs to support studies.
 Company Sponsorships/Learnerships: Work and study simultaneously.
 NSFAS: Government financial aid for needy and deserving students.

Learnerships and Financial Aid Summary

LEARNERSHIPS
What is a learnership?
A work-based learning programme that leads to an NQF-registered qualification.
Related to specific careers, e.g. electrical engineering, hairdressing, project management.
How does a learnership work?
You study theory at a college or university.
You get practical experience by working at a company.
You sign a contract with both the employer and the education provider.
The contract ends when the qualification is completed.

Do you get paid during a learnership?

Not a full salary, but you may get an allowance (e.g. R2 500/month).

Who manages learnerships?

SETA – Sector Education and Training Authority.
SETAs manage and register learnerships but do not train learners.
There are 21 SETAs for different industries (e.g. agriculture, banking).

Why are learnerships important?

Give access to education and training while gaining work experience.
Help meet the skills needs of various sectors.
Lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

What are the benefits of a learnership?

Better job opportunities.
Gain a qualification while working.
Practical, on-the-job training with a mentor.
Allowance received.
Fixed-term contract during the learnership.

AFTER STUDIES: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

BURSARIES
Usually don’t pay back unless you fail or drop out.
May include a work-back contract: 1 year of work per year of study.

SCHOLARSHIPS
No repayment needed.
Must maintain good academic performance to keep the scholarship.

LEARNERSHIPS
Free – you don’t have to pay anything.

STUDY LOANS
From banks: must pay back with interest after you start earning.
From companies: may require you to work for them after studying.
Repayment starts once earning R30 000+ per year.
Up to 40% of the loan can be converted to a bursary if you pass all subjects.

NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)

Offers loans to students.
If you pass all your courses, 40% of your loan becomes a bursary (no repayment).

TVET/FET Colleges
Government bursary scheme for financially needy learners with academic potential.
Must be a South African citizen, enrolled for an NCV, and meet criteria.
IMPORTANT NOTES

 Always read the terms and conditions before accepting financial aid.
 Understand if you will need to pay back the money or work back time.
 Some bursaries are general, others are career-specific.
 Always explore all your financial options carefully.

STUDY SUMMARY: ADMISSION, APS, NBTs, AND FINANCIAL AID

1. Admission Requirements

a) University:

 Bachelor’s pass (NSC)

 APS of 26+ (varies by course)
 4 subjects with 50% or more
 Language of learning and teaching at 40% or more
 Maths or Maths Literacy depending on course

b) University of Technology:

 Diploma pass required

 APS 20+ (varies)
 Certain diplomas may require Maths, Science, etc.

c) TVET/FET College:

 Grade 9 or higher
 Requirements depend on the course (e.g. NCV or Report 191)
 No strict APS needed

2. APS (Admission Point Score)

a) What is APS?

 A points system used by universities to determine whether you qualify for a specific course.

b) How to calculate APS: Use your top 6 subjects (excluding Life Orientation)

Percentage APS Points

80–100% 7

70–79% 6

60–69% 5
Percentage APS Points

50–59% 4

40–49% 3

30–39% 2

0–29% 1

Add up your 6 best subject scores to get your APS.

3. NBTs (National Benchmark Tests)

a) What are they?

 Tests used by many universities to assess your academic readiness

b) Why are they important?

 They help universities determine if students need extra academic support or placement into specific
programmes.

c) What do they consist of?

 AQL: Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy

 MAT: Mathematics

4. Financial Aid Options: Pros and Cons

Option Pro Con

You may have to work back the bursary or repay if you

Bursary You may not need to repay if you pass
fail

Free if you meet academic/sporting Must maintain high marks; may be withdrawn if injured
Scholarship
excellence or fail

Study Loan Gives access to study now Must repay with interest after graduation

Learnership Earn while you learn + work experience Low monthly stipend; not guaranteed employment after

5. True or False

 A bursary is a loan you have to pay back. → ❌ False

  A scholarship is awarded for academic or sporting excellence. → ✅ True

6. Possible Exam Questions and Answers

Q5: Admission Requirements

a) University: Bachelor’s Pass, APS 26+, 4 subjects at 50%+
b) University of Technology: Diploma Pass, APS 20+, subject-specific requirements
c) TVET/FET College: Grade 9+, depends on the programme

Q6: APS
a) What does APS mean? → Admission Point Score
b) How to calculate it? → Add the points from your 6 best subjects (using the percentage scale)

Q7: NBTs
a) What are NBTs? → National Benchmark Tests
b) Why are they important? → They help universities assess academic readiness
c) What tests do they consist of? → AQL (Literacy & Numeracy) and MAT (Maths)

Q8: Financial Aid Pros & Cons

a) Bursary:
✔ May not repay if pass
❌ May repay or work it back if you fail

b) Scholarship:
✔ Covers full cost
❌ Must keep marks up, may lose it if fail or get injured

c) Study Loan:
✔ Study now, pay later
❌ Must repay with interest

d) Learnership:
✔ Workplace experience and monthly allowance
❌ Low remuneration; job not guaranteed after

7. Financial Assistance Options Exercise

Q: Name 4 options for financial assistance after matric:

A:

1. Bursary
2. Study Loan
3. Scholarship
4. Learnership

Pro & Con of Each:

 Option Pro Con

Bursary No repayment if you pass Must repay or work if fail or drop out

Scholarship No strings attached if you do well Lose it if marks drop or you get injured

Study Loan Helps cover costs of study Repay with interest when earning income

Learnership Get paid + workplace experience Small allowance, job not guaranteed

Obligation
 Something that you must do because of a law, rule, promise or a contract

Financial arrangement
 Agreements or contracts about money