Careers and Career Choices: Education in South Africa

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on careers and career choices, focusing on education and training in South Africa.

Education in South Africa

All South Africans have the right to a basic education, including adult basic education and further education, as stated in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

Three Bands of Education in South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

General Education and Training (GET): Grade R – 9. Further Education and Training (FET): Grade 10 – 12. Higher Education and Training: Post Matric Qualifications

NSC (National Senior Certificate)

The National Senior Certificate or NSC is a high school qualification, commonly known as the matriculation (matric) certificate, as grade 12 is the matriculation grade. Essentially, it is the school-leaving certificate in South Africa.

Further Education and Training (FET)

Education and training provided from Grades 10 to 12, including career-oriented education and training offered in TVET, community colleges and private colleges.

Higher Education

Studies undertaken after you have successfully written the NSC, qualifying you for further studies.

Tertiary Studies

All formal post-secondary education, including both public and private universities, colleges, technical training institutes, and vocational schools.

Postgraduate

People studying towards an additional degree (Honours, Masters, PHD or Doctorates) once they have completed a degree.

Four Matric Pass Levels

Bachelor’s Degree Pass, Diploma Pass, Higher Certificate Pass, National Senior Certificate Pass

Bachelor’s Degree Pass

Means you can study at any tertiary institution, as long as you meet the requirements for your chosen field of study. It is the highest Matric pass.

Diploma Pass

Means you can study at a tertiary institution towards a diploma qualification.

Higher Certificate Pass

Allows students to study for a Higher Certificate at a college or distance learning institution.

Level 5 Higher Education Qualifications

Higher Certificates and Advanced National (Vocational) Certificate

Level 6 Higher Education Qualifications

National Diploma and Advanced Certificates.

Level 7 Higher Education Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree, Advanced Diplomas.

Level 8 Higher Education Qualifications

Honours Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, and Professional Qualifications.

Level 9 Higher Education Qualification

Master's Degree.

Level 10 Higher Education Qualification

Doctor's Degree.

Higher Certificate

A skills-based, vocational qualification which means that the focus is placed on how skills are applied.

Advanced Certificate

This level of certification is specialised which can improve a student's job opportunities and you with extensive understanding of the field you are studying.

National Diploma

Equip students with the needed practical skills in their chosen industry. Students acquire technical skills needed in a specific area in these courses.

Advanced Diploma

Is obtained in preparation for professional work. It can be taken by a graduate of a bachelor's degree to study a field that is related to their previous level of study. This qualification can increase the marketability or attractiveness to potential employers of a graduate.

Bachelor's Degree

Enables graduates to demonstrate knowledge and skills required for opportunities in the job market, further education and training, postgraduate studies, or expert practice in a wide range of career fields.

Postgraduate Diploma

Is usually completed after a bachelor's program and can be helpful for students who may need specialised skills for the workplace in the career field they have chosen.

Bachelor Honours Degree

Follows an undergraduate Bachelor's degree and it is the qualification students need if they aim to specialise in their chosen career field.

Master's Degree

Involves a combination of coursework and research dissertations. Students usually engage in advanced research and independent study.

Doctoral Degree

Indicates that a student has achieved the highest level of study in a certain field and involves a lot of research work. Students are required to write a thesis on a particular topic in their chosen field under the guidance of a supervisor.

APS (Admission Point Score)

Stands for Admission Point Score. In South Africa, universities and other tertiary institutions will often ask for this score in their application process. It is sometimes used as an entry requirement on application forms.

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)

Are a series of tests used to assess academic literacy, general knowledge, and mathematical skill of first-year applicants into higher education institutions.

TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training)

Technical: subject matters that are technical in nature, relating to hardware and software, including trouble shooting practises and engineering processes. Vocational: an occupation or an employment, often referring to as hands-on skills within professional trades. Education: formal education, starting in high school and including post-secondary education, such as colleges, polytechnics, and universities. Training: informal education, also called lifelong learning or continuing education, often used in initiatives of reskilling or upskilling company staff or a wider workforce.

Scholarship

Awarded on merit to students with good / top academic results or outstanding talent and achievement in sport / music. Recipients are not always expected to repay or work back the money they receive.

Bursary

Financial assistance given to a student for further study. Student will have to work for the sponsor for the same number of years they sponsored them or paid for their fees.

Study Loan

Money borrowed to pay for academic tuition (in some instances accommodation too) that must be paid back with interest.

Funza Lushaka Bursary

Specifically for students who are studying to become teachers and is awarded annually, based on academic ability.

The National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

A South African government student financial aid scheme which provides financial aid to undergraduate students to help pay for the cost of their tertiary education after finishing high school.

Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA)

Their main function is to contribute to the raising of skills, to bring skills to the employed, or those wanting to be employed, in their section. Oversee learnerships and ensure that they offer qualifications related to a specific occupation or sector of the economy.

Learnership

A work-based learning programme that leads to an NQF registered qualification. Learnerships are related to an occupation or field of work.