University – Study further with a GED®

1. Online University Degrees
at Boston City Campus and Business College

Following an announcement in October 2021, Boston is now the most GED-friendly tertiary institution in South Africa. The registrar, Ruan Venter announced that Boston will accept GED graduates who meet the admission criteria (without a SAQA Certificate) and that Boston will handle and support the student’s application for exemption from USAf.
For more information please read the information and view the webinar recording at Boston Accepts GED Graduates for Degrees

2. Higher certificate (NQF 5) courses

These are one-year, career-oriented courses offered by colleges and universities. According to SAQA, the admission requirement is an NQF 4 qualification. After completion of an NQF 5 course 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. See more detail below at #5.

Here is a list of online higher certificates that students can study. There are many, many more options to choose from at offline colleges and universities around South Africa.

4. Degree at an online overseas university

South African graduates with a GED® have already been accepted at the following online universities. They do not require exemption from USAf.

• University of the People is an accredited US university online that accepts students with a GED® only
• American Business and Technology University accepts students with a GED®

There are many other online overseas universities. Some may also require a student with a GED® to have written the SAT. The SAT is a US college entrance exam, which can be written in SA and internationally. Click here for more online university degrees.

6. Degree (NQF 7) at a South African university

A candidate must have qualified for exemption from Universities South Africa (USAf) in order to be admitted to a degree course at a South African university.

A degree is usually a 3- or 4-year course of study, ranked at NQF 7.

The following are possible categories of exemption:

6.1 Complete exemption by virtue of academic qualifications

The requirements for this option are prescribed in the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 in the quotation in blue text below, specifically paragraph (c ):

6.1.1 If a student achieves an NQF 5 (Higher Certificate) or NQF 6 (diploma) qualification then they should qualify for complete exemption.

6.1.2 if a student completes a first-year degree at a recognised overseas university, either online or offline, then they should qualify for complete exemption.

“Certificate of complete exemption by virtue of academic and professional certificates
17.
The Committee of Principals shall issue a certificate of complete exemption to –

(a)
a graduate-by-examination of a university or other institution approved by the Committee of Principals; or
(b)
a person who has passed examinations at a university or other institution approved by the Committee of Principals and who satisfied all the requirements of a qualification which in the opinion of the Committee of Principals is equivalent to an approved university degree; or
(c)
a person who has passed examinations at a university or other institution approved by the Committee of Principals which represent a minimum of, or the equivalent of a minimum of 120 credits, registered at level 5, or higher, on the National Qualifications Framework of the South African Qualifications Authority; or
(d)
a medical or dental practitioner duly registered to practice as such under the provisions of the Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health Services Professions Act, 1974 (Act 56 of 1974).”

Since each faculty of each university may set its own admission requirements above the minimum requirements set by USAf, you should always contact them in advance to confirm that you will be eligible for admission to your chosen course, as not all universities in South Africa are “GED-friendly”.

6.2 Senatorial discretionary exemption

Some colleges and universities give students an admission test and if they pass, they get accepted on the basis of the dean’s discretion. AFDA is an example. See here: AFDA Entrance Exam

Usually you would need to motivate why the university should give you senatorial discretionary exemption e.g. a student who has high achievement in something else, like grade 7 in music exams or some other qualification, skill or talent relevant to the degree for which they are applying. This would be granted on a case-by-case basis and would require a process of consideration. Some GED® graduates have been granted exemption in this way.

6.3 Mature age exemption

If you are age 23 or older you may qualify for exemption – but you must have a matric or alternative equivalent school leaving certificate.

6.4 Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

All higher education institutions in South African must have a policy and procedure to assess prospective students’ RPL to see if they can enter the courses with a reasonable chance of success. RPL provides a way for the university to acknowledge your knowledge and skills gained via non-formal education and/or work experience, in order to obtain admission towards a qualification. It may also include candidates lacking the minimum requirements for entry into a formal learning programme (e.g. matriculation endorsement).

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST check with the colleges or universities and specific faculty of your choice that they will accept the GED® credential with one of the categories of exemption. Many degrees and courses have additional requirements which you will also have to fulfill, no matter what NQF 4 or Grade 12 credential you have.

As with any matric option, there is no guarantee that a GED® graduate will be issued with exemption from USAf, nor that a university will accept his/her application.

Take the first step to success.

Over 20 million people have earned the GED® credential around the world and in South Africa. It has enabled them to study further and given them better career opportunities. We, at Go Prep™ (previously Online GED Prep), will guide you at each step so that you can become one of them too. You can enrol at any time of year and book your tests whenever you are ready. No pressure. No deadlines.