Option 1: University
If you have a bachelor's pass and meet the specific subject and APS requirements for your chosen degree, university is the classic route. Degrees are essential for regulated professions (teaching, medicine, law, engineering) and valued in fields like finance, IT and science. Expect three to four years of study, significant fees, and competitive entry at popular institutions.
Option 2: TVET college
TVET colleges offer NC(V) and NATED (N4–N6) programmes in practical fields. Fees are lower, entry is more accessible, and qualifications lead directly into trades, technical work and business support roles. This is the fastest route to a recognised career qualification for many school leavers.
Option 3: Learnerships and apprenticeships
A learnership combines a formal qualification with paid work experience — you earn a stipend while you learn, and you exit with an NQF-registered qualification. Apprenticeships work the same way for trades (electrician, plumber, welder, millwright), ending in a trade test and artisan status. Both are funded by employers and SETAs, and they are among the best value paths available.
Option 4: Work
Entry-level jobs in retail, hospitality, call centres, security and general work do not require post-school qualifications. Starting work gives you income and experience while you decide on further study. Many large employers offer internal learnerships and study assistance to staff — a route many people underestimate.
Option 5: Upgrade your matric results
If your results were not what you needed, you can rewrite specific subjects through the Department of Basic Education's supplementary exams or register for a matric upgrade programme at an accredited institution. Upgrading Mathematics or Physical Sciences often unlocks university or TVET engineering options that were previously closed.
Option 6: Start a business
Entrepreneurship is a legitimate path, particularly in services, trades and informal retail. Youth-focused programmes such as the NYDA and SEDA offer business support, and many TVET colleges include entrepreneurship modules. Start small, validate demand, and reinvest early profits.
How to decide
- Be honest about your results and what they qualify you for.
- Work backwards from a career: find people doing the job you want and check what qualification they actually needed.
- Consider your budget honestly — including the cost of delaying income.
- Apply early and to multiple options; you can decline offers later.
- Remember no path is final: TVET graduates reach university, workers become learners, and apprentices become business owners.