The general requirements for a Higher Certificate in Education vary by country and institution, but typically include possession of a secondary school certificate or equivalent qualification, such as a National Senior Certificate (NSC), Senior Certificate (SC), or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 (NC(V))[2][6].
- In South Africa, the minimum statutory admission requirements for a Higher Certificate are:
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 issued by the Council for General and Further Education and Training.
- Compliance with the requirements for the language of learning and teaching at the higher education institution.
- Institutions may have additional requirements, such as minimum achievement percentages in specific subjects[2].
- For specialised qualifications, such as the Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education, accepted entry certificates include:
- A Senior Certificate (SC);
- OR a National Senior Certificate (NSC), with a minimum of 40% in three modules including a Home Language, and a minimum of 30% in three other modules;
- OR a National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 (NC(V)), with at least 40% in English Home Language or English First Additional Language;
- Applicants may be required to submit supporting documentation, such as a Teaching Affidavit[6].
- In Ireland, to enter a Higher Certificate (Level 6) qualification, the typical requirement is a Level 5 qualification, such as the Irish Leaving Certificate, or equivalent. Mature learners (generally over 23 years of age) may be admitted based on prior work experience or approved prior experiential learning (APEL)[3].
- In the UK, admission to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) generally requires completion of secondary education. The CertHE is awarded after one year of full-time study and is equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree (Level 4)[5].
Institutions can set additional entry requirements based on program needs, such as minimum achievement levels in specific subjects or submission of affidavits and supporting documentation[2][6].
For completion, students must typically:
- Complete all required coursework and program requirements.
- Maintain satisfactory academic standing, often defined by a minimum grade point average (e.g., 3.0/4.0 or relevant percentage)[1].
- Meet residency or credit hour requirements if specified.
- File a formal application for the qualification upon program completion[1].
References
- [1] Higher Education Leadership Certificate | University of Cincinnati
- [2] Higher Education Act: Minimum admission requirements
- [3] What Is a Higher Certificate and Why Should You Consider Doing One?
- [5] Certificate of Higher Education – Wikipedia
- [6] Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education – stadio
Leave a Reply