Who Qualifies For Matric Exemption?

By Tevait Feanle •  Updated: 01/23/24 •  5 min read

We have looked in-depth in previous articles at the various types of matric passes you can achieve and what they mean for your academic and vocational hopes. However, there is also the matric exemption procedure to consider. This is another way in which you can make the qualifications you do have work for you and enter the tertiary education system. Here’s everything you need to know about a matric exemption

- ADVERTISEMENT -
, who it applies to, and the circumstances in which it is used.

What Is An Exemption In Matric?

A matric exemption in South Africa refers to two situations:

In these cases, a matric exemption certificate can be issued to allow you to continue in the program of your choice. Put another way, a matric exemption allows the Department of Education and your academic institution of choice to evaluate the school-leaving certification you have, decide if it matches the standard matric benchmarks for your program, and allow you to proceed into the program without needing to re-complete your school leaver’s matric.

Who Qualifies For Matric Exemption?

You will qualify for a matric exemption if you have a non-endorsed senior certificate that wasn’t issued through leaving school with the standard matric qualification or an adult matric program. You will also qualify if you have a foreign or otherwise non-standard matric-equivalent qualification.

How Do I Get A Matric Exemption?

To get a matric exemption, you must have a matric-equivalent academic certificate. You cannot, for example, fail the national matric certificate and apply for an exemption. If this is your circumstance, you will need the following:

You can apply for a matric exemption through the institution with which you hope to study, or directly to the Matriculation Board of South Africa. Once you have received an application number for your matric exemption application, you should share this with your academic institution so you can begin the registration process.

How Much Is Matric Exemption?

You will need to pay a non-refundable fee to the Matriculation Board of South Africa to receive a matric exemption certificate. Currently, this is set at R700. The fees are adjusted from time to time, so you should check this requirement with either the Matriculation Board or your academic institution before submitting your matric exemption application.

How Long Does It Take To Get Matric Exemption?

It will take at least 6 to 8 weeks to receive a matric exemption once you apply for it. It can take considerably longer, as the Matriculation Board receives a lot of these applications each year. With this in mind, you should be sure to apply as early as possible to your academic institution and the Matriculation Board. Once you receive your application number, you should also share this with the institution, as most places will give you provisional acceptance while you wait for the formal documents to be processed.

Matric exemptions allow many worthy candidates who have taken a non-traditional educational path to enter tertiary education at universities in South Africa. It is typically used to ‘convert’ foreign matric-equivalent qualifications, such as the UK-based GCSE (O and A-level) certificates, to a relevant matric pass. However, matric exceptions are also used by candidates who, for example, left school with a non-Bachelor’s Degree matric pass, but subsequently obtained NQF and NQF-equivalent tertiary education diplomas or certificates that give them the correct standing to continue at a university. 

If you need to apply for a matric exemption certificate, it is important to do it as early as possible so as not to interrupt your application for acceptance with your university program of choice. For further details, you can speak with the admissions office at the university you are applying to, or contact the Matriculation Board of South Africa directly for specific guidance on your circumstances. Luckily, no one is going to send worthy candidates ‘back to school’ just to obtain a standard matric pass- you can use the qualifications you already have to establish if you qualify for the program.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

The Meaning of “Matric” in South Africa

The Meaning of “Matric” in South Africa

But what does matric really mean? Today we break down the term and some other common questions around it.

How to Register for a Matric Remark and Recheck Online

How to Register for a Matric Remark and Recheck Online

Matric Remark and Recheck Online. Read on to learn everything you need to know about remarking or rechecking your papers. 

What Is A Higher Certificate Pass in Matric?

What Is A Higher Certificate Pass in Matric?

This comprehensive guide will delve into the specifics of a Higher Certificate pass in Matric, including its requirements

How to Get Your Old Original Matric Certificate

How to Get Your Old Original Matric Certificate

How to Get Your Old Original Matric Certificate. Losing your matric certificate can be a disturbing moment, but it is possible to always get a copy.

Final Matric Exam Timetable

Final Matric Exam Timetable

This comprehensive guide provides information on the 2024 final matric exam timetable, the exams' duration

Can You Combine Matric Results After Upgrading?

Can You Combine Matric Results After Upgrading?

We will be taking you through the possibility of combining matric results after upgrading, and if so, how to combine the matric results

How to Get Old Matric Results

How to Get Old Matric Results

This article explains everything you want to know about the steps you can take to get your old matric results. 

How Many Matric Subjects Can You Rewrite?

How Many Matric Subjects Can You Rewrite?

How Many Matric Subjects Can You Rewrite? We will delve into the matric rewrite, which covers the subjects to write, its qualifications and more 

Full Matric Exam Timetable

Full Matric Exam Timetable

Full Matric Exam Timetable. The class of %currentyear% will begin writing their matric examinations on Monday, 30 October

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade Matric Results?

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade Matric Results?

You can opt to upgrade your matric through an adult matric program and improve those marks. Cost to Upgrade Matric Results

How to Check Matric Result

How to Check Matric Result

There are different methods you can use to check your results across the country. Read on to learn how you can check your matric result.    

What Does Matric Pass Symbols Mean?

What Does Matric Pass Symbols Mean?

What Does Matric Pass Symbols Mean? This article explains everything you want to know about Matric pass symbols. 

The Difference Between Pre-Matric And Post-Matric in South Africa

The Difference Between Pre-Matric And Post-Matric in South Africa

If you have spent a lot of time on the internet researching your educational future, you may encounter the terms pre-matric and post-matric.

How to Apply For A New Matric Certificate?

How to Apply For A New Matric Certificate?

The process of applying for a new certificate differs from one province to the other. Read on to learn how to apply for a new matric certificate. 

What Are The Requirements For A Diploma Pass

What Are The Requirements For A Diploma Pass

In this blog post, we will explore the various requirements for a diploma pass, the course one can study with a diploma pass