Higher Certificates open the door to degree studies and fast-track you towards career success.
Find out how to study further with a GED® and how to navigate a pathway to a degree course if this is your goal.
Many students complete their GED at age 17 and while their peers are doing matric in their 18th year, young GED graduates have the advantage of studying a Higher Certificate course through a tertiary institution and obtaining a full career qualification which they can add to their CV.
After completion of a Higher Certificate course (at NQF level 5) a student may be eligible for exemption from Universities South Africa (USAf), by virtue of academic qualifications and may apply for admission to a degree course at a South African university.
Another option is to enrol in a Diploma course (NQF 6) which you can usually do with a GED® alone.
At Boston City Campus and Business College you can enrol directly into a Degree programme if you meet the admission criteria with your GED alone. No SAQA certificate is required and Boston will handle your application to USAf for exemption. Read more at Boston Accepts GED Graduates for Degrees.
What are Higher Certificates?
Higher Certificate study courses are generally vocational training programmes. The course material is industry-oriented and career-specific. The practical skills you will learn will help you improve your performance in the workplace.
Higher Certificates help you to improve your level of education and develop skills. They will equip you for work in your chosen career field and may enable you to enrol for even higher qualifications.
Higher Certificates have replaced many foundation programmes at colleges and universities and offer students the opportunity to master essential skills needed for further educational success while achieving a career-advancing qualification at the same time.
Instead of wasting time on matric subjects that students might have little interest in, they can get laser-focused training that equips them for their specific career and catapults them towards their future goals.
Higher Certificates as a pathway to a degree
In South Africa, if you complete the GED® (NQF 4) or a matric without exemption, and then follow it with a Higher Certificate course that is on the NQF level 5 and is a minimum of 120 credits, you may be eligible to apply for complete exemption from USAf. Exemption from USAf is a requirement for admission to a degree course in South Africa. Read this page for more information about University with a GED.
Complete exemption would enable you to apply for admission to a degree course, provided that you meet the entrance requirements of the university and the faculty that offers the specific degree you wish to pursue.
There are no guarantees, so please always check and contact the institution and faculty of your choice, to ensure that the route you are pursuing will achieve your end-goals.*
Higher Certificates you can study ONLINE with a GED®
Below are lists of higher certificates which you can study online. If you search for offline institutions they also offer a range of higher certificates that you can consider.
A growing number of the colleges, universities and institutions listed on our page Where do GED Graduates Study now offer online courses too! Do check it out as only a few are listed below.
Boston City Campus and Business College – Higher Certificates
Boston City Campus & Business College (Pty) Ltd Reg. No. 1996/013220/07 (‘Boston’) is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997). Registration Certificate No. 2003/HE07/002.
- Higher Certificate in Advertising & Integrated Communication Practice
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Practice
- Higher Certificate in Business Management Practice
- Higher Certificate in HIV/AIDS Counselling and Management
- Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management Practice
- Higher Certificate in Hospitality Management Practice
- Higher Certificate in Accounting Practice
- Higher Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Practice
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Specialisation Sport
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Specialisation Tourism
- Higher Certificate in Commerce in Human Resource Management
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Specialisation Digital Music
- Higher Certificate in Marketing Specialisation Social Media
- Higher Certificate in Commerce in General Management
- Higher Certificate in Commerce in Public Relations
The benefits of studying with Go Prep™
There are a variety of exciting pathways for GED® graduates to continue their education and get skilled and equipped for career success.
Some of the many benefits of studying with Go Prep™ are:
- the GED® is recognised and accepted by tertiary institutions
- study in the safety and security of your own home or office
- flexibility and convenience
- study at the time and place of your choice
- develop technical skills
- looks good on your CV as it indicates commitment, motivation and perseverance
- international recognition
*Disclaimer: Although every effort has been taken to provide accurate and correct information, Go Prep™ shall never be liable for losses or other damages that may result from inaccuracy or incompleteness of information on this website about universities, colleges or their requirements.