The Department of Basic Education announced the release of the national matric results for the class of 2019 on 7 January 2020. Many of these students will be aiming to secure a bachelor’s pass to help secure a place in one of the country’s top universities and study for a higher certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree. However, it is also possible for students to earn a ‘diploma’ and ‘certificate’ pass which will also allow them to study further. To help explain the differences between these different passes, the Western Cape Department of Education has published a guide outlining the differences between the certificates and how students may qualify for them.
Bachelor's Pass
- Pass 6 of the 7 subjects offered;
- Of which four Subjects must be at least a 50% (level 4) achievement;
- Including Home Language 40% Compulsory Pass /excluding Life Orientation;
- 30% Pass in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT);
- The Department of Basic Education has revoked the list of designated subjects with effect from September 2018;
- The minimum admission requirements for a Bachelor’s degree programme remain the same, namely, a NSC with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education Institution (HEI), coupled with an achievements rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in any four (4) NSC subject except Life Orientation.
Diploma Pass
- Pass 6 of the 7 subjects offered;
- Of which 4 Subjects must be at least a 40% (level 3) achievement;
- Subjects include Home Language at 40% Compulsory Pass /excluding Life Orientation;
- 30% Pass in Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT).
Certificate Pass
A certificate pass requires a 40% pass in your home language, 2 subjects above 40%, 4 subjects above 30% and you may fail 1 subject. This pass allows you to study for a higher certificate.
Unsuccessful Candidates
It is possible for some unsuccessful students to rewrite a paper through a supplementary exam. You qualify to rewrite if you’ve failed 2 or more subjects. Only candidates who were registered for and, who wrote the November 2019 NSC examination, can apply to write a supplementary exam.
2019 Grade 12 learners can register to write the examination if:
- They failed to meet the requirements in the November examination;
- They passed but seek to improve their performance; or
- They were absent from the writing of one or more question papers due to ill-health or other unforeseen circumstances;
- The closing date for NSC May/June 2020 supplementary examination applications is 31 January 2020.
Source: This article originally appeared on BusinessTech