Firstly, let us have a look at your study options assuming that this is the direction in life that you have chosen.
My first suggestion would be that you make a decision related to the career path you wish to follow. Take this seriously and do not just decide a university degree will be right for you. Many university graduates are unemployed and have poor prospects of gaining employment.
As a Father I have always encouraged my sons to study for a trade before deciding to study for a degree. Why? A trade is a very good thing to have and is possibly the easiest way of starting your own business – there is always a need for plumbers, electricians and so on.
Having a university degree sounds great, and yes, it will give offer you a good academic background, but your options do not start and end with university.
A technical degree through a university of Technology or a Technical qualification through a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institution may be far more practical at this time of your life. You can always add the degree at a later stage – so be practical and think things through carefully.
If this is your choice then you need to consider the variety of options open to you. Bear in mind that tertiary or higher educational institutions have their own set of entry requirements.
In addition Universities and TVET's, both Public and Private, are all very different and offer a very different range of study choices.
List of study options in South Africa
Your choice of institution will depend on your particular and individual need, ability and career choice.
University
You will find that the emphasis at university is on the academic and more formal side of learning. In whatever your chosen field of study, you will gain a very broad base of skills and knowledge.
You will need to achieve or to have achieved a matric exemption in order to be accepted, i.e. the necessary marks in the subjects as required by the university. For some specific faculties of study, there may be additional requirements. These requirements are often available in the institution's official prospectus.
Once you have successfully completed your studies you will have a degree awarded or conferred.
You will have a wide choice of study fields that include the Arts, Science, Humanities, Education, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Commerce.
TVET Institutions
The education system has seen the introduction of new institutions of TVET education being included at the same level as universities, and learners can now study for a technically inclined degree.
Here you will have a combination of theoretical and practical subjects to choose from, and a variety of avenues of study. The choice you make will be based on the specific career you wish to pursue.
The minimum entry requirement is typically a level 2 NQF qualification. For some of the courses such as the technical, paramedical and science courses, you will be required to have taken mathematics and a science subject and have achieved a certain pass rate to qualify.
This could be an ideal choice for you if you decide to combine work and study. In many instances you can have a contract of employment and be encouraged to or required to study in order to gain the practical experience.
Upon satisfactory completion of your studies, you will receive can receive a National Certificate (Vocational) or a National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED). There are a variety of study options including Art, Design, Performing Arts, Hotel and Catering, Commerce, Business Management, Computer studies, Science, Engineering, Secretarial, and more.
Beyond these, there are also short courses, workshops, learnerships and apprenticeships to be pursued.
