There are several different types of degrees based on broader discipline of a major. Different institutions offer degrees at various levels and most commonly includes a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates.
A degree has a broad area of specialisation which is available at one or another institution in South Africa. There are several levels of degrees that are awarded to students according to the credit-based system set out by the South African Qualifications Agency (SAQA).
For each level of degree there is a different National Qualification Framework (NQF) rating. For example, NQF Level 7 is a Bachelor's Degree and Advanced Diploma Qualification or NQF Level 8 is a Honours Degree Qualification.
What College Degree Options Are Available To Students?
When students are comparing different degrees, they need to consider which academic program will best suit their career goals and interests.
There are 4 major categories which a degree can be broken down into, namely:
Associate-level degree - This program offers a variety of degrees for various career pathways. The duration of this program is 2 years and provides the necessary skills and training for students that wish to pursue an entry-level job such as graphic design or nursing. An Associate level program is mostly aimed at community colleges and technical schools.
Bachelor's degree - This program usually takes 4 years to complete. Students can major in a specific area of study such as finance, accounting, biology or science.Once students have completed their bachelor’s program, they are qualified to work in an entry-level or senior-level position depending on their specialisation.
Masters degree - These are commonly known as graduate programs that allow students to specialise in an area of study. It takes between 1 to 2 years to complete and requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) which indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. Having a masters degree behind your name will allow students to qualify working in an executive-level position.
Doctoral degree - This is the highest college degree in furthering your education. Students have to complete their masters degree before qualifying for a doctoral degree programme. A doctoral is also known as a Ph.D because it usually takes several years to complete and it is the most advanced and experienced program available. Ph.d graduates qualify to work as an expert in areas of business, research and professors.
What are the benefits of having a college degree?
- A degree increase access to various job opportunities
- It help prepare students for a specialised career pathway
- Leads to having long-term job satisfaction
- Increases marketability
- Having a degree is a form of empowerment and provides a sense of achievement
In society today, having a degree is a huge commitment. The rewards lead to a more successful economic future, advanced career opportunities and a great sense of personal fulfilment all possible through having a degree.
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