Matric through UNISA: How to get your Matric Certificate

Most learners in South Africa aspire to acquire higher education, which will lay a solid foundation for future success. In contemporary South Africa, the Matric certificate is instrumental in shaping one's life. The certificate can help you obtain a university or tertiary education afterwards. Find out from this article if you can get a Matric through UNISA.

Key takeaways

• All education levels in South Africa are ranked using the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) system. So, after acquiring a Matric certificate in high school, you can further your education or seek employment.
• All dreams are attainable through hard work and motivation to conquer any obstacle that comes along the way.

Can you get your Matric through UNISA?

You cannot study Matric at the University of South Africa but you can do bridging courses to improve your Matric grades. Therefore, you still need a Matric certificate to do these bridging courses.

What are the alternatives for failed Matric exams?

Students whose Matric grades do not meet university entry requirements for degree programs and those who do not complete high school have the following options:

1. Do a bridging course to improve your Matric grades

If your Matric results do not meet UNISA's admission requirements for your desired degree program, consider doing bridging courses.

Successful completion of these courses is acknowledged as a foundation for gaining admission into degree programs offered by UNISA or other universities in South Africa.

2. Rewrite your Matric exams

You can re-do your Matric exams in your former high school or at accredited Matric Rewrite Centers and get an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC) or Senior Certificate (SC)).

An ASC or SC is recognized nationally and can help you enrol for a degree at any university in South Africa if you meet the entry requirements.

3. Join a TVET and get an NC(V) certificate

It is national law that one must have a Matric or Senior Certificate (SC) to join a university and pursue a degree program.

So, if you do not have either of these certificates, consider joining TVET colleges to attain an NQF 4 qualification education and be awarded a National Certificate (Vocational), also known as NC(V).

An NC(V) is an alternative option equivalent to a Matric certificate. However, it cannot get you into any university in South Africa. It can only help you enter the workforce or get further vocational training.

How to apply at UNISA without matric

Without a Matric certificate, you cannot enrol in a degree program or a bridging course at UNISA. A bridging course is a short-term course that allows you to re-sit your failed high school subjects to improve your Matric grade. The enhanced Matric grades will give you a better chance of joining UNISA or any other university in South Africa.

What are the UNISA matric bridging courses?

UNISA bridging courses can enhance your Matric grades and serve as university-preparation courses for mature students (people above age 21). Bridging courses available at UNISA include:

• Bridging Mathematics Course
• Bridging English Course
• Bridging Science Course
• Bridging Information Technology Course
• Bridging Accounting Course
• Bridging Economics Course
• Bridging Health Sciences Course

UNISA matric bridging course requirements

Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for UNISA, including having a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification.

How can you apply for UNISA bridging courses?

Follow the steps outlined below to apply for UNISA bridging courses:

• Visit the official UNISA website.
• Click on the “Apply.”

• Click “Short Learning Programs.”
• Select “Find out more.”
• Under “How to apply?” click on “Apply online for all Short Learning Programs.”
• If the application period is open, the system will display the “Short Learning Programs” option. Click on it to proceed with your application.
• Indicate whether you have a student number starting with “7” (YES) or not (NO).
• Enter your details.
• Choose the course you wish to apply for and provide the necessary details.
• Upload your documents, such as your national ID and matric certificate.

UNISA application fees

Use the student number you receive from UNISA and the application fee reference number to pay the R140,00 online application fee. After that, send your proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za.

UNISA contacts

To inquire about UNISA bridging courses, you can contact the university through these channels:

• Telephone: 0800 005 311
• Address: Preller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria
• Sunnyside campus address (applications, registrations & learning centre): Cnr Justice Mahomed & Steve Biko Streets, Sunnyside, Pretoria

What is a Matric certificate called in South Africa?

A Matric certificate is also called a National Senior Certificate (NSC), a high school diploma, or a secondary school certificate.

Some people even call it an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), although they differ. An NSC is awarded to people who finish their matric year before age 21, while an ASC is given to people who complete high school after age 21.

Additionally, an ASC (a Senior Certificate (SC)) is only recognized within South Africa, while an NSC is recognized nationally and internationally.

How can you get a Matric certificate in South Africa?

You get a Matric certificate after taking the matric exams at an accredited high school. Before that, you should get an NQF 1 by completing Grade 9 (the highest grade in primary school).

After that, you can join high school and obtain NQF 2, NQF 3, or NQF 4 by completing Grades 10, 11, and 12, respectively. Students who complete Grade 12 get a Matric certificate. With this certificate, you can join a university or college if you meet the minimum entrance requirements.

Where can you get a Matric certificate?

You get a Matric certificate after sitting your Matric exams at an accredited high school. Alternatively, you can sit for a Matric rewrite at an accredited Matric Rewrite Centre and get an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), an equivalent to a Matric Certificate.

How to apply for matric through UNISA

The University of South Africa does not have Matric classes. You must have a Matric certificate to enrol in UNISA's degree programs and bridging courses.

How can you rewrite matric at UNISA?

There are no UNISA Matric rewrite classes. However, you can rewrite your Matric at your former high school or Matric Rewrite Centers and get an Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), also called a Senior Certificate (SC).

You may contact your local Provincial Education Department (PED) for more information about Matric Rewrite Centers. Alternatively, you can contact Umalusi on 012 349 1510 to confirm the accredited Matric Rewrite Centers.

What is the UNISA matriculation board fee?

The UNISA Matriculation Board fee for issuing complete or conditional exemption certificates is R1000.00.

What documents are required for UNISA?

The documents required to apply at UNISA generally include a copy of your ID or passport, academic records (including tertiary records if applicable), and possibly a marriage certificate or divorce decree if relevant. International students may also need a sworn translation of documents if they are not in English or Afrikaans.

Does UNISA take grade 10?

No, UNISA does not typically offer or accept Grade 10 as a direct entry point for its undergraduate programs. However, UNISA will be offering online secondary schooling for Grades 10 and 11 starting in 2025, with applications opening in late July 2024, according to a Facebook post.

Does UNISA accept an Amended Senior Certificate?

An Amended Senior Certificate (ASC) or Senior Certificate (SC) is equivalent to a Matric certificate. It can get you into a degree course at UNISA or any other South African university.

Are there UNISA Matric upgrade classes in 2025?

The school provides bridging courses that can help you improve your Matric grade. To join Matric upgrade classes at UNISA, apply for these bridging courses when the application period is open.

What are the UNISA matric rewrite fees for 2025?

You cannot rewrite your Matric exams at UNISA, but you can take bridging courses to improve your Matric grade. You may contact the school to find out how much it charges for bridging courses.

Can you rewrite a UNISA exam?

If you are already enrolled in a degree course in UNISA, you can re-do a failed exam for a specific module within that course. You can also rewrite a module exam you missed when others did it.

Most courses grant students a Supplementary Exam or Assignment if their mark is between 45 and 49, after which they can get a Supplementary Pass (SP).

When do the UNISA grade 12 applications open?

UNISA applications for Grade 12 learners typically open in the first half of the year, with specific dates varying each year. For the 2025 academic year, applications for limited undergraduate qualifications were open from April 14 to May 9, 2025

You cannot obtain a Matric through UNISA but can improve your Matric results through UNISA bridging courses. Other colleges and universities in South Africa also offer bridging courses.

Briefly.co.za listed institutions that offer Matric bridging courses. After passing bridging courses, you can apply for degree programs at UNISA or any other university.

The article lists each school's bridging courses and how long it takes to complete one. So, you can enrol in as many classes as you can.

Source: Briefly News