Higher certificate – a smart first step into tertiary education

Johannesburg – For some matriculants, final results bring disappointment rather than relief. When Admission Points Scores (APS) or subject requirements fall short of expectations, students and families often see only two options: rewrite matric or sit out a year. But a growing number are discovering a more constructive alternative – one that opens up the prospect of improved employability within just a year.

According to Atelisha Harilal, STADIO’s Head of Marketing and Student Recruitment, higher certificates offer a way to move forward rather than pause. “The thing with rewriting Matric is that you’re not assured of the outcome, and it’s largely based on your ability to relearn the syllabus on your own,” she says.

By contrast, a higher certificate allows students to enter the higher education system immediately. “If you successfully complete it, you will get degree access,” Harilal explains. “At the same time, you’re gaining valuable skills and knowledge that can benefit you in the world of work.”

More than a fallback option

“We cannot overlook a higher certificate for the nature of the skills and core knowledge it provides, and the empowerment it brings to individuals who may have thought they wouldn’t be able to access tertiary education,” Harilal says. Rather than being a dead-end, higher certificates are designed as entry points that allow students to build experience and confidence while progressing academically.

Once students are enrolled in a higher certificate, they can begin to progress up the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) ladder. Many higher certificates allow students to begin to earn credits they can use towards their diploma or degree qualification.

STADIO offers higher certificates in management, pre-school education and software development, among others.

Learning that aligns with the world of work

Harilal emphasises that the value of a higher certificate depends heavily on how institutions design their curricula. At STADIO, she says, alignment with the world of work is a core focus.

“We develop, consult and explore our curricula with members of the world of work so that we can align the skills we’re giving our students to what skills are needed,” she explains. Importantly, this includes not only current workplace needs but also the skills graduates will require as technology and industries continue to evolve.

Many who graduate with a Higher Certificate choose to find employment and continue their education through distance learning. For example, she says, someone who graduates with a Higher Certificate in Management might find an entry-level job as a project assistant, marketing coordinator, operators support officer or so on, then pursue a Diploma in Management or a Bachelor of Business Administration while working.

A student’s experience

For Sandiso Thebe, who has completed a Higher Certificate in Software Development at STADIO and is awaiting his final results, the journey has been transformative. Initially, he admits, he was unsure of his choice. “I believed completing a higher certificate just meant I did not do matric very well,” he says.

That view changed as he progressed. “I realised completing this course is highly beneficial because it is an excellent foundation course that prepares you for more studying as demanded by the world of technology.”

Over the past year, Thebe has developed programming fundamentals, problem-solving skills and stronger digital literacy. Just as importantly, he has learned how to manage his time, work independently, and meet the expectations of tertiary study.

“The programme required me to take responsibility for my own studies, deadlines and progress,” he says. “That prepared me well for the expectations of higher education.”

He now plans to apply for a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems or a related field.

Message to matriculants

Harilal encourages students not to let one set of results define their future. “The matric result, which is the result of one highly pressurised period, should not dictate the heights to which the rest of your life will climb,” she says.

A higher certificate, she adds, is not a failure or a detour, but a different route towards the same destination.