The matric exams in South Africa help define the higher education and career path of high school students. Passing the exams is a major achievement and is necessary to progress towards higher education or get a job.
Those who receive a higher certificate pass in matric have many educational and work opportunities. A higher certificate pass allows students to attend universities or private institutes for higher certificate programmes. Alternatively, students can also choose to enter the workforce.
In this article, we cover what is a higher certificate pass in matric, educational paths students can pursue, career opportunities and how they can improve their scores.
Table of Contents
What is a Higher Certificate Pass in Matric?
A higher certificate pass is the minimum matric pass level and comes after the Bachelorā€™s and Diploma pass levels. The South African education system offers attractive options for higher education, even with a higher certificate pass.
Students can opt for the higher certificate programme of their choice and use it as a qualification for an undergraduate programme in the future. Students who receive a higher certificate pass can also choose to retake the exam to upgrade their scores and improve their chances of enrolling in a degree programme.
Read more on higher certificate pass meaning: What is a Higher Certificate? An Essential Guide to South African Qualifications.
Higher Certificate Pass Requirements
Having understood what a higher certificate pass in matric is, learning about the minimum requirements to achieve this pass level is important. So, the matric exam is basically divided into four levels to better assess the aptitude and knowledge a student has gained to pursue higher education.
Students are required to register for a total of 7 subjects for their matric. Out of these, 4 are mandatory subjects: two languages, mathematics option, and life orientation. Students can choose an additional 3 elective subjects based on interest and preference. However, they should choose electives based on their future course of study requirements.
Students must pass all subjects and meet the following requirements to be awarded a higher certificate pass in matric:
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 2 High Credit Subjects: 40% or higher
- 3 Other Subjects: 30% or higher
What Can You Study With a Higher Certificate Pass?
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa has designed higher education to provide equal learning opportunities for all. However, these are dependent on a personā€™s skill and competence level.
Students with a higher certificate pass can work in prestigious sectors such as business management and accounting. They can enrol in short one-year programmes that progress with each level and award NQF level 6 qualifications.
Some of the fields of study available to higher certificate pass holders include:
- Office Administration
- Bookkeeping
- Financial Accounting
- Marketing Management
- Business Management
- Legal Secretary
Read more on Higher Certificate Courses in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know.
Various Matric Pass Levels Explained
The higher certificate pass is just one of the various matric pass levels in South Africa. The other three pass levels include Bachelorā€™s Pass (for pursuing university degrees), Diploma Pass and National Senior Certificate (NSC) Pass. Together, these four different pass levels determine a studentā€™s eligibility for various programmes in the country.
Let us examine the minimum pass requirements of all these other levels in the matric exam:
Minimum Requirements for Bachelorā€™s Pass:
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 4 high credit subjects: 50% or higher
- 2 other subjects: 30% or higher
Minimum Requirements for Diploma Pass:
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 4 high credit subjects: 40% or higher
- 2 other subjects: 30% or higher
Minimum Requirements for NSC Pass:
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 2 subjects: 40% or higher
- 2 other subjects: 30% or higher
Read more on Higher Certificate Courses in South Africa -Top Options & More.
What are the Career Opportunities with a Higher Certificate Pass?
Students who pass the matric exam with a higher certificate pass can apply for entry-level jobs if they wish to enter the workforce. These jobs offer beginner salaries with little scope for promotion or a raise. Higher-paying jobs prefer to hire employees who are skilled in their trade or possess a strong skill set.
A much better alternative would be to join a paid apprenticeship programme. These training programmes offer a mix of theory and practical experience, but most of the programme length is spent on the job. Companies that hire apprentices usually sign them for full-time employment after the programmeā€™s completion.
Upgrading Your Higher Certificate Pass
We now know what a higher certificate pass in matric is and understand that it can lead to higher education and job opportunities. However, if you are still unsatisfied with your matric score and believe that you missed the diploma pass by just a few points, you can choose to rewrite the matric.
When students rewrite the matric, they can combine the scores of both exams to reflect the best scores for each subject. A matric rewrite allows students to register for four subjects they wish to improve. However, there is no option to switch the original subjects during the matric rewrite. This can only be done when students choose a matric upgrade.
Read more on Higher Certificate in Public Management 2026: Online Applications Open.
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Conclusion
Students who complete the matric with a higher certificate pass have multiple options available to them. They can enrol in accredited programmes that award diplomas and train students in prestigious fields such as finance and marketing. Likewise, they can choose to start working as well.
When you are deciding on your path to higher education, remember to check the wide range of programmes offered by Regenesys Education that build practical, work-ready skills. You can check out the higher certificate programmes below that can help you advance your career in the right direction.
FAQs
What is a higher certificate pass in matric?
This is the third pass level that students can achieve in the matric exams in South Africa. With this, students can apply for higher certificate programmes.
What are the minimum requirements for a higher certificate pass?
Students need to earn a minimum of 40% in their home language, 40% or higher in two high-credit subjects, and 30% or higher in 3 other subjects.
What other pass levels are there in the matric exams?
The other pass levels are the bachelor’s pass, diploma pass, and NSC pass.
Can I apply for jobs with a higher certificate pass?
With a higher certificate pass, students can apply for entry-level jobs or an apprenticeship.
What programmes can I pursue with a higher certificate pass?
Students can enroll for higher certificate programmes such as the ones offered by Regenesys Education.
