There are many reputable distance learning schools in South Africa. In this article, we consider the top 5 distance learning colleges in South Africa and some of the best courses offered.
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Top 5 Distance Learning Colleges in South Africa
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
Matric College
Skills Academy
Ember Academy
Learning Group
Each of these colleges offers a wide range of courses you can choose to study. There is a range of entry requirement levels, so you can further your studies no matter what your education level.
Courses to Study in Distance Learning Colleges South Africa
The courses available are:
NATED courses
Matric programmes
ICB courses
CIMA courses
Short courses
NATED Courses
National Accredited Technical Education Diplomas (NATED) courses are designed and accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training to help bridge the youth unemployment gap.
NATED courses have been accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), which means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa.
There are seven NATED streams of study:
Business Management
Educare
Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Legal Secretary
Management Assistant
Marketing Management
NATED Business Management
National N4 Certificate
Qualification
National Certificate
NQF Level
5
Accredited by
QCTO & DHET
SAQA ID Number
66871
Credits
60
Entry Requirements
Matric Certificate: National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Amended)
Subjects
Management Communication N4Introductory Accounting N4Entrepreneurship and Business Management N4Computer Practice N4
There are many reputable distance learning institutions that offer NATED courses, such as:
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
Matric College
Skills Academy
Matric programmes
Matric programmes are options available for those who do not have their Matric. Whether you failed Matric and would like to pass, passed but would like to improve your results, or did not write your Matric, there is an option available. These are the Matric programmes:
Matric Rewrite
Matric Upgrade
Adult Matric
Matric Rewrite
This option is for those under the age of 21 who have written Matric and would like to improve their results. You may rewrite up to four subjects. You cannot change any of your subjects, you must rewrite subjects you wrote for your Matric final exams.
There is no limit to how many times you can rewrite your Matric. You can rewrite your Matric up to five years after your Matric year, as long as you are still under the age of 21.
Matric Upgrade
This option is for those over the age of 21 who have written their Matric, but would still like to improve their results. You may upgrade up to four subjects. However, you may also choose to change up to four subjects instead.
There is no limit to how many times you can upgrade your Matric. You are able to apply for a Matric Upgrade as early as 19, however, you must be 21 or older to write the exams. This is because you will write the Adult Matric exams.
Adult Matric
This option is for those over the age of 21 who did not get to write Matric. This allows adults who have done school up to Grade 9 to get their Matric.
Once you have successfully completed your Adult Matric, you will be awarded your Senior Certificate (Amended). This will then function the same way as a National Senior Certificate, known as school Matric. You can use this to apply for work or to further your studies.
Where Can I Study Matric Programmes?
There are many reputable colleges that offer Matric programmes through distance learning, such as:
Matric College
Bellview Institution of Distance Learning
Skills Academy
ICB Courses
The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) offers courses that have been accredited by ICB and QCTO. This means that they are recognised as formal qualifications in South Africa. They are also recognised internationally.
ICB courses are offered through reputable distance learning colleges, and none of their courses require Matric to apply. There are three ICB streams of study.
Business Management
Financial Accounting
Office Administration
ICB Business Management
National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Qualification
National Certificate
NQF Level
4
Accredited by
ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number
48736
Credits
120
Entry Requirements
Grade 11 or Equivalent Certificate (Bookkeeping: ICB National Certificate)
Subjects
Business Management 1 (BMT1)Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)Business Literacy (BUSL)
Career Options
Junior ResearcherJunior AnalystSales Assistant
Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Qualification
Higher Certificate
NQF Level
5
Accredited by
ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number
23619
Credits
240
Entry Requirements
ICB National Certificate: Small Business Financial Management
Subjects
Office and Legal Practice (OLPR)Business Management 2 (BMT2)Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR)Financial Statements (FNST)Human Resources Management and Labour Relations (HRLR)
Career Options
Senior Office AdministratorGeneral Office ManagerCustomer Service Manager
National Diploma: Financial Accounting
Qualification
National Diploma
NQF Level
6
Accredited by
ICB & QCTO
SAQA ID Number
20366
Credits
280
Entry Requirements
ICB Higher Certificate: Office Administration
Subjects
Business Management 3 (BMT3)Financial Management and Control (FMCL)Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF)Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation, topic: Business Management) (RTAP)
ICB National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting
Subjects
Corporate Strategy (CRPS)Management Accounting Control Systems (MACS)Financial Reporting and Regulatory Frameworks (FRRF)Research Theory and Practice (by short dissertation; topic: Financial Accounting) (RTAP)
Matric or Matric Equivalent Certificate (Small Business Financial Management: ICB National Certificate or Bookkeeping: ICB FET Certificate)
Subjects
Business and Office Administration 1 (BOA1)Bookkeeping to Trial Balance (BKTB)Business Literacy (BUSL)Marketing Management and Public Relations (MMPR)Business Law and Administrative Practice (BLAP)Cost and Management Accounting (CMGT)
Many distance learning colleges offer ICB courses. Some reputable ones are:
Skills Academy
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
Matric College
Ember Academy
Learning Group
CIMA Courses
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) offers their accredited Business Accounting courses through reputable distance learning colleges. These courses go all the way up to the Degree level, and are fully recognised in South Africa as well as internationally.
There are four levels of CIMA courses:
Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level
Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Qualification
National Certificate
NQF Level
5
Accredited by
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number
24418
Credits
120
Entry Requirements
Be 16 years or olderHave had pure maths as a school subjectBe able to read and write in English
Subjects
Fundamentals of Business EconomicsFundamentals of Management AccountingFundamentals of Financial AccountingFundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law
Career Options
Business ManagerManagement AccountantBusiness Analyst
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Qualification
National Diploma
NQF Level
6
Accredited by
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number
24406
Credits
240
Entry Requirements
Business Accounting: CIMA Certificate Level
Subjects
Managing Finance in a Digital WorldFinancial ReportingManagement AccountingOperational Case StudyOperational Gateway
Career Options
AccountantBookkeeperFinancial Manager
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Qualification
Advanced Diploma
NQF Level
6
Accredited by
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number
24406
Credits
240
Entry Requirements
Business Accounting: CIMA Operational Level
Subjects
Managing PerformanceAdvanced Financial ReportingAdvanced Management AccountingManagement Case StudyManagerial Gateway
Career Options
Business AnalystManagement AccountantAccounts Assistant
Business Accounting: CIMA Strategic Level
Qualification
Professional Qualification: Chartered Management Accountant
NQF Level
7
Accredited by
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
SAQA ID Number
20400
Credits
390
Entry Requirements
Business Accounting: CIMA Managerial Level
Subjects
Strategic ManagementFinancial StrategyRisk ManagementStrategic Case StudyStrategic Gateway
Many distance learning colleges offer CIMA courses, such as:
Skills Academy
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning
Ember Academy
Short Courses
The short courses offered at the colleges below are designed to upskill you so that you can begin your career journey as efficiently as possible with the workplace skills you need. These short courses are open-access, which means there are only two entry requirements:
You must be over the age of 16
You must be able to understand, read and write in English
You must also be comfortable studying online, as all of our classes are online. Each college offers a different set of short courses.
Short Courses At Matric College
Beauty Therapy Courses
Educare & Child Care Courses
Event & Wedding Planning Courses
Tourism & Guest House Courses
Short Courses At Skills Academy
Accounting, Bookkeeping And Finance Courses
Beauty Courses
Computer Courses
Educare And Childcare Courses
Forensics And Policing Courses
Human Resource Management Courses
Insurance Courses
Interior Decorating and Design, and Digital Photography Courses
Management Courses
Marketing Courses
Occupational Health and Safety Courses
Project Management Courses
Tourism Courses
Wedding And Events Planning Courses
Short Courses At Ember Academy
Beauty Therapist Programme
Child Daycare Programme
Child Psychology Programme
Crèche Management Programme
Digital Photography Programme
Event Management Programme
Facial Skincare Programme
Guest House Management Programme
Human Resource Management Programme
Make-up Application Programme
Nail Care Programme
Operational Health and Safety Programme
Personal Assistant Programme
Project Management Programme
Receptionist Courses
Supply Chain Management Programme
Tourism Management Programme
Tourism Marketing Programme
Wedding Planner Programme
Short Courses At Learning Group
Beauty Therapy
Creative Writing
Digital Photography
Interior Decorating and Design
Wedding Planning
Is A Distance Education Degree Valid?
Yes, as long as the course you are studying is accredited, and the college you are studying at is approved to offer that course. As long as you have checked these two things, you can be sure the course you are studying is recognised formally.
Does TVET College Offer Distance?
Yes, many TVET colleges do offer distance learning. However, many will still require you to come in for certain classes. Check with the TVET college you are applying to about which courses they offer fully online.
Does NSFAS Fund Distance Learning?
Yes, as long as you are studying at a NSFAS-approved institute, you can qualify for funding from NSFAS. Note that NSFAS does not fund postgraduate studies, and does not fund studies at private institutions.
