MANCOSA is a private higher education institution offering a Postgraduate Certificate in Education by distance and blended learning. Entry requires an appropriate accredited bachelor degree containing school teaching subjects at the levels the institution specifies.
As with every PGCE, the requirement that decides most applications is whether your degree contains the right subjects at the right levels for a stream the institution offers, not whether you hold a degree at all.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- An appropriate accredited bachelor degree
- One school teaching subject completed to third-year level
- A second school teaching subject completed to second-year level
- A subject combination the institution offers as a stream
- Access to a computer and the internet, given distance delivery
- Registration with the South African Council for Educators after qualifying
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The PGCE is a one-year professional qualification converting an existing degree into a teaching qualification. It includes supervised teaching practice, which must be arranged even under a distance model.
As a private institution, confirm registration with the Department of Higher Education and Training and that the qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework and recognised for teaching purposes. Ask for the SAQA identification number.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Your undergraduate subjects, not your matric subjects, determine eligibility. A degree with no subject taken to third-year level that maps to a school subject will not qualify you.
Phase and subject streams differ between institutions. Check your academic record against the specific stream requirements before applying, since this is where most PGCE applications fail.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- Certified copies of your degree certificate and full academic record
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Proof that your subjects were completed to the required levels
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you qualified outside South Africa
- Proof of the application fee
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Distance and blended PGCE study requires arranging teaching practice placements, which is a practical constraint. Establish how the institution supports this before enrolling.
Registration with the South African Council for Educators is required to teach in a public school, and it is a separate process after qualifying. Confirm before enrolling that the specific qualification leads to SACE registration, since this is the check that determines whether you can actually teach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need for the MANCOSA PGCE?
An appropriate accredited bachelor degree with one school subject to third-year level and a second to second-year level, in a stream the institution offers.
Is it recognised for teaching?
Confirm that the qualification is registered on the NQF and recognised for teaching purposes, and that it leads to SACE registration.
How does teaching practice work by distance?
Placements must still be arranged. Establish how the institution supports this before enrolling.
Does NSFAS fund private institutions?
NSFAS funds public universities and TVET colleges. Check what funding is available for private study.
Verify institution registration and qualification recognition with the Department of Higher Education and Training and SACE before paying. See PGCE requirements. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.