How to study without matric :)

Any updates on this thread?

Sitting in the same situation, previous business partner stabbed my dad in the back and we lost EVERYTHING (1 car, all finances etc etc), haven't had the finances for Grade 10, 11 and 12 for the last few years.

I'm writing exams on the 6th of April for my Level 3 Marketing Diploma (Oxford College) though... I really need some advice, I've been searching the interwebs for weeks trying to find a decent answer.

As far as I know Oxford College's Level 3 diploma's are NGF level 3's and Matric is level 4?
So technically speaking, I'm *****ed?

I'm going to look for work in PTA /JHB after my exams, I don't mind studying while working if it's possible, my main goal is just to get into University / College and study for a Degree in Marketing.

Any ideas how to get Matric or any other ways to get into varsity keeping in mind my current situation?
 
Quentin Legend said:
Any updates on this thread?

Sitting in the same situation, previous business partner stabbed my dad in the back and we lost EVERYTHING (1 car, all finances etc etc), haven't had the finances for Grade 10, 11 and 12 for the last few years.
....
Click to expand...

Not nice, happened to me but through some miracle I was able to complete matric. Just don't feel your ever too old to study. I was 33 when I started studying my BSc at UNISA and finish this year aged 38.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
Not nice, happened to me but through some miracle I was able to complete matric. Just don't feel your ever too old to study. I was 33 when I started studying my BSc at UNISA and finish this year aged 38.
Click to expand...

Thanks man :)

Problem is, Girlfriend is going to University in 3 years (She's Grade 10), her father is the principal of the local high school (he's going to do his last year at varsity soon, then he has a Doctorate in Education) and the mother is also a teacher, they don't know about any of this and I'd like to keep it quiet.

So basically I've got 2-3 years max to fix this, don't want to start varsity after the GF, she'll be studying for 5-7 years and I'll be studying for 3-5 years.

I'm considering doing Grade 10, 11 and 12 through Damelin but working full time + going that route seems rather impossible to do within 3 years.

I was wondering: Grade 11 = NGF level 3 and my Marketing Diploma = NGF level 3, would there be ANY way to get into varsity even if I have to do 1-2 years of bridging courses for subjects such as Maths?
 
Quentin Legend said:
Any updates on this thread?

Sitting in the same situation, previous business partner stabbed my dad in the back and we lost EVERYTHING (1 car, all finances etc etc), haven't had the finances for Grade 10, 11 and 12 for the last few years.

I'm writing exams on the 6th of April for my Level 3 Marketing Diploma (Oxford College) though... I really need some advice, I've been searching the interwebs for weeks trying to find a decent answer.

As far as I know Oxford College's Level 3 diploma's are NGF level 3's and Matric is level 4?
So technically speaking, I'm *****ed?

I'm going to look for work in PTA /JHB after my exams, I don't mind studying while working if it's possible, my main goal is just to get into University / College and study for a Degree in Marketing.

Any ideas how to get Matric or any other ways to get into varsity keeping in mind my current situation?
Click to expand...


I did my ged. The equivalent to American high school diploma. Cost a fair bit but was the quickest way. With that you can then apply for foreign conditional exemption from the matriculation board.
 
clickme said:
I did my ged. The equivalent to American high school diploma. Cost a fair bit but was the quickest way. With that you can then apply for foreign conditional exemption from the matriculation board.
Click to expand...

Can you please supply me with all the details? :)
 
Quentin Legend said:
Thanks man!!!

How long did it take you?
Click to expand...

Took me 3 months. But you can do it in your own time. When ready you just book exams at pro metric. Exams not hard just expensive so that why I took my time. Will send you the links tonight where I first read about it before I started to study for it.
 
clickme said:
Took me 3 months. But you can do it in your own time. When ready you just book exams at pro metric. Exams not hard just expensive so that why I took my time. Will send you the links tonight where I first read about it before I started to study for it.
Click to expand...

3 months? That's bloody quick.

And it counts the same as matric (you can get into varsity via exemption)?

If it is a valid option, I'll find the money and do it right after my Diploma's exams.
 
Quentin Legend said:
3 months? That's bloody quick.

And it counts the same as matric (you can get into varsity via exemption)?

If it is a valid option, I'll find the money and do it right after my Diploma's exams.
Click to expand...

Here is a link with the article where I first found out about it when I was searching to complete
matric.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4041873/matric-alternatives_2.pdf

Like they mention in the article you probably wont get accepted for stuff like medicine etc. without doing your SAT tests aswell. And would probably have to take some extra modules depending on what you want to study, but you do qualify to study at University.

Costs

Signed up with GED academy, couldn't afford the $189 once off so paid 4 installments of $59
$289.00
GED academy is online teaching, there is free material all over the web which is also helpfull. They have a demo which you can try to see how it is.

The exams cost went up quite a bit compared to article. Also see now that test will no longer be at prometric but at pearson vue so not sure if cost changed. There is 5 modules you can write each seperatly or write combined exams which works out cheaper. For me exams cost was R4000.00 last year september if I remember correctly.

http://www.pearsonvue.com/vouchers/pricelist/ged.asp

If you pass all five module you have to either do SAT tests or get accepted by accredited USA university. I made use of Empire state university cost was $60.00. You also have to write an essay when applying.

You then have to apply to matriculation board for conditional exemption. That is another R400.00
http://he-enrol.ac.za/qualificationbycountry/united-states-america
http://he-enrol.ac.za/fees-structure

That's what I can remember now. Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
ponder said:
Did you apply to university and get accepted?

This is some good info for those looking for an alternative, also seems like a shorter route.
Click to expand...

Only got all the paperwork in November which was a late to apply at Unisa. I did get papers from matriculation board that I do qualify for conditional foreign exemption. So will apply for 2nd semester.
 
clickme said:
Here is a link with the article where I first found out about it when I was searching to complete
matric.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4041873/matric-alternatives_2.pdf

Like they mention in the article you probably wont get accepted for stuff like medicine etc. without doing your SAT tests aswell. And would probably have to take some extra modules depending on what you want to study, but you do qualify to study at University.

Costs

Signed up with GED academy, couldn't afford the $189 once off so paid 4 installments of $59
$289.00
GED academy is online teaching, there is free material all over the web which is also helpfull. They have a demo which you can try to see how it is.

The exams cost went up quite a bit compared to article. Also see now that test will no longer be at prometric but at pearson vue so not sure if cost changed. There is 5 modules you can write each seperatly or write combined exams which works out cheaper. For me exams cost was R4000.00 last year september if I remember correctly.

http://www.pearsonvue.com/vouchers/pricelist/ged.asp

If you pass all five module you have to either do SAT tests or get accepted by accredited USA university. I made use of Empire state university cost was $60.00. You also have to write an essay when applying.

You then have to apply to matriculation board for conditional exemption. That is another R400.00
http://he-enrol.ac.za/qualificationbycountry/united-states-america
http://he-enrol.ac.za/fees-structure

That's what I can remember now. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info man!!

Great find, so total costs are basically under R10k . My Marketing Diploma cost me R6k.

I will definitely look into this and if everything works out I'll start June /July, would be awesome to send all my paperwork to University for 2015.

Will let you know if I have any questions.
 
ponder said:
Did you apply to university and get accepted?

This is some good info for those looking for an alternative, also seems like a shorter route.
Click to expand...

Sorry for thread Necro.

Just wanted to update that I have been accepted and registered at Unisa for studying National Diploma : Law. Have to do the extended program which adds a few things but don't mind, all that matters is that I have been accepted at a University. Degree also not a problem as long as requirement doesn't require any advanced maths, then you would require to do GED + SAT tests route.
 
xrapidx said:
I'll have to see - remember, my preference is an overseas university, not something local like Unisa, Unisa would be my last attempt.

Matric really is worthless to me, and if can find a place that'll accept me based on an interview, or something similar, all the better.
Click to expand...

Unisa is actually pretty well regarded internationally. Don't think that just because it's local, it's not up to scratch.
 
CharmaineB said:
Unisa is actually pretty well regarded internationally. Don't think that just because it's local, it's not up to scratch.
Click to expand...

+1 It's better than many of those other "online" universities. If you compare the courses/content with say for example the Open University of the UK Unisa puts them to shame. It's also one of the oldest 'mega universities' around.

Don't knock it simply because it's local. I know people have been having some administrative issues with them but their degrees are still good.
 
Lots of good info in this thread, looking to send our helper to school to do her matric and maybe a diploma of some sort.
She's not well versed in languages and I think it's been a while since she did any sort of studying.

Does anyone know of good affordable tutors around the Pretoria area?

If it's not too expensive, we might take her to do some classes with that.
 
Hey guys,

Sorry for another Necro, I have finally decided to go ahead and get a GED, and then enrol for a Bcompt in Accounting through UNISA (might move to Tukkies after 1ste year, depending on if I can get funding). Main goal is to become a qualified CA (my GF is also going to be studying to become a CA, starting in 2016).

I enrolled with GED Academy 3 days ago and I've already finished 1 subject and half way done with the second subject (there are 5 in total).

Planning on writing my exams in 5-6 weeks.

Will post updates on the whole process as "Alternatives to Matric" seems to be a big blind spot in South Africa.
 
Quentin Legend said:
Hey guys,

Sorry for another Necro, I have finally decided to go ahead and get a GED, and then enrol for a Bcompt in Accounting through UNISA (might move to Tukkies after 1ste year, depending on if I can get funding). Main goal is to become a qualified CA (my GF is also going to be studying to become a CA, starting in 2016).

I enrolled with GED Academy 3 days ago and I've already finished 1 subject and half way done with the second subject (there are 5 in total).

Planning on writing my exams in 5-6 weeks.

Will post updates on the whole process as "Alternatives to Matric" seems to be a big blind spot in South Africa.
Click to expand...

Glad for you, your self confidence will get a massive boost once you completed it. I'm now busy with 2nd semester LLB via Unisa.

Edit

Did the course material change much compared to what I gave you?
 
Last edited:
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