Tertiary Study

[nand]

Hi guys

Since most of us are in IT in some form of another, I'd like to ask advise pertaining to studying further.

My Matric did not include Sci or Math (HG). I'm starting to regret dropping those two subjects, since my admission to universities are limited to Diplomas. Having researched quite a bit, I've come to the conclusion that I can do one of the following:

1. Redo my matric examinations, include Science and bump my Math Lit. to high grade. Afterwards, take BSc.
I've tried finding distance learning places that would allow me to do this, but it seems it would be rather inefficient and costly.

2. Take up an NDIP at Unisa, further to B.Eng, and convert to a BSc.
This route seems much more lucrative, but I don't know of any repercussions doing so yet.
I will also be able to do this while working full-time, and have applied at Unisa successfully before.

I'm really not biased towards either practical or theoretical, I want to do this out of the love for learning.
My future goals is to study towards a Masters, or even possibly a PhD. My path should allow for this.

What would you people recommend I do? NDIP/B.Tech/M.Tech, or redoing matric and going for the BSc route?
All opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GhostSixFour]

Not 100% realted, but plenty of advice in there:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/180094-How-to-study-without-matric-)?highlight=Matric

 

[cguy]

I redid my matric year (didn't study for it first time round so even though I passed everything, my maths marked sucked) to get into a B.Sc. After this I got into a university, and I eventually obtained a PhD. I would be careful in assuming that converting courses from the NDip route later on will be easy (I know it has "been done", but there are usually special circumstances involved, and you will likely have to bet on some staff member's discretion). Also, going down the tech rabbit hole without a decent foundation in maths will be tricky - I value my redone year as the time I figured out how to actually study properly (a valuable skill for university, believe it or not ).

 

[desiganp]

If you're 23 or older you may be able to qualify for an age exemption for entry into a Bachelors Degree at most universities subject to complying with certain criteria, sometimes this may be doing "bridging courses" at the university before they allow you to do the full stream courses.

 

[Gibson]

I redid my matric year (didn't study for it first time round so even though I passed everything, my maths marked sucked) to get into a B.Sc. After this I got into a university, and I eventually obtained a PhD. I would be careful in assuming that converting courses from the NDip route later on will be easy (I know it has "been done", but there are usually special circumstances involved, and you will likely have to bet on some staff member's discretion). Also, going down the tech rabbit hole without a decent foundation in maths will be tricky - I value my redone year as the time I figured out how to actually study properly (a valuable skill for university, believe it or not ).

Similar story to mine, although I dropped out of uni the first time and am now doing a PhD.

At the OP: Maybe try Monash Uni, they have a bridging course that extends your degree to 4 years but lowers the requirements a fair bit.