The class of 2023 is now celebrating a particularly high pass rate after the matric exams, the highest in several years. While some matrics were unfortunately not successful in their final examinations, there are still many different opportunities that exist for them, including preparing for the second chance matric programme.
Meanwhile, those who completed their matric exams in 2023 will now have the benefit to choose what they want to do with their futures. Something that is both intimidating and confusing for many. If you are one of the many who completed their matric with a bachelor’s degree pass – this year saw a record of over 40 percent that managed this.
So you passed matric exams in 2023 – here are a few things you can do in 2024
- Begin your tertiary studies
With such a high overall bachelor pass this year amount matrics, there will surely be an influx of young people looking to study at universities and TVET colleges. However many will be unable to afford it. Luckily, there are bountiful ways to find funding for your tertiary education in South Africa.
The first is to try the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which although has not had the best 2023, the government claims that the scheme is still running, and will continue to provide funding for underprivileged students. However, if you sign up to NSFAS, expect that things will not always go smoothly.
The second option here is to try your luck at one of the many, many bursaries on offer for the 2024 academic year. Here are three of the best websites to check out all the offers currently available.
Otherwise here are ten open bursaries we have identified across a number of industries which over comprehensive cover for your tertiary education, including tuition fees, accommodation and daily expenses.
- Start an internship
If you don’t want to immediately get into studying and want to take a gap year or want to find out exactly what you want to do with your life, all the power to you. Otherwise, you can check out the many internship opportunities out there for people fresh from matric.
Here are a few internship opportunities that you can apply for just in the tech industry alone.
- Simply start working
Finding a job with just a matric certificate is almost as difficult as finding a job without one, but if you’re dead set on starting to work, you can check out resources like Graduates24, which list learnerships and even jobs available for people with a grade 12.
Unlucky, but the world didn’t end yet – here are a few things you can do if you did not pass matric
- The second change matric programme
If you are either unhappy with your results, want a second shot at improving them for a better crack at that degree you’re looking at, or simply want to try matric again without repeating the whole year – you can sign up for the Department of Basic Education’s second chance matric programme.
Through this programme, the department allows you to rewrite the exams that you struggled with the most around May/June 2024, and you can also take advantage of tutoring and othe resources offered by the department.
To register for the programme online go to www.eservices.gov.za or visit any DBE office with an ID document and statement of results.
- Online high schools
If you have no choice but to repeat matric, you no longer need to return to a brick-and-mortar school to do so. Instead, nowadays there are plenty of online schooling options you can take to complete your matric from the comfort of your own home.
Matric College offers either a year or two-year course to complete your matric and earn an accredited matric certificate. Matric College focuses on an “amended” version of the NSC, and a different mark calculation process to normal high schools. The entry requirement is a grade 9 or equivalent.
Another option is the University of Cape Town’s online high school, which costs R2 195 per month to get your matric certificate.
- Matric bridging course
If you did pass the 2023 matric exams but did not receive your desired results, you can begin studying at university through a bridging course. These courses are used to increase the results of certain subjects like mathematics or physical sciences in order to be accepted in degrees like engineering or medicine.
Universities like Unisa, the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology, University of KZN, University of Johannesburg, and many others offer these courses. Each institute will have a different method of running the bridging course and different requirements for entry.
If you’re still looking for your 2023 matric exams results online, you can check out all the different ways you can get them here.
