Unisa Higher Certificate in Education

Individuals who want to be teachers but do not qualify can now apply for the Unisa Higher Certificate in Education course.  In this blog post, we will everything you need to know about the Unisa Higher Certificate in Education.

What is Unisa Higher Certificate in Education?

What does Higher Certificate in education mean? The Unisa Higher Certificate in Education is a program created to offer fundamental knowledge and hands-on skills to prospective students who want to become teachers. This one-year course provides students with the necessary skills to qualify for a bachelor's degree in Education. For those looking to enter the field of education, the Higher Certificate serves as an good starting point.

Unisa higher certificate in education courses

The Unisa higher certificate in teaching is classified into two:

• Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Foundation and Intermediate Phase
• Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Senior and FET Phase

Prospective students who choose to apply for higher certificate in foundation phase and intermediate phase will have the opportunity to later apply for bachelor of education in foundation phase or intermediate phase, after successfully completing the higher certificate qualification. After five years, these students will become qualified primary school teachers. Similarly, those who opt for a higher certificate in the senior and FET phase will have the chance to apply for a bachelor of education in the senior and FET phase. Upon completion, they will become qualified secondary school teachers.

Who Qualifies for higher certificate in education?

Prospective students with the following results qualify for higher certificate:

• Learners who passed with a bachelor's degree endorsement in matric but obtained level 3 in English.
• Learners who passed with a bachelor's degree endorsement in matric but have an APS below 23 or 18 and have level 3 or more in English.
• Learners who passed with a diploma endorsement in matric and have an APS of 18 and level 3 in English.
• Learners who passed with a higher certificate endorsement in matric and have an APS of 18 and level 3 in English.

Unisa Higher Certificate in Education Requirement

Your admission to Unisa depends on meeting the specific set admission requirements for the courses you want to apply for. below are the minimum admission requirements for higher certificate in education. 

APS: 18

English: 3

or
a Senior Certificate (SC) with at least an E symbol on HG or an D symbol on SG in the language of teaching and learning,
or
a National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 with an equivalent of at least 40% in the language of teaching and learning in terms of the NSC.
 
Modules for Higher Certificate in Education at unisa

Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Foundation and Intermediate Phase Modules:

All modules in Group A are mandatory. Additionally, you must select only one module from Group B.

Group A. Compulsory

AFL1501: Language Through an African Lens
BPT1501: Being a Professional Teacher
CAD1501: Child and Adolescent Development
DPP1501: Diversity, Pedagogy and Practice
EST1501: Academic Proficiency in English for Student Teachers
EUP1501: Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
INS1502: Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
MTE1501: Mathematics 1 for Teachers
PSC1501: Practical Science for the Classroom

Group B. Choose One Module

ATH1501: Art and Handwork
GCS1501: Guidance, Counselling and Life Skills Development
GRT1501: Introduction to Grade R Teaching
IED1501: Introduction to Environmental Education

Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Senior and FET Phase Modules:

All modules in Group A are mandatory. In addition, you are required to select TWO modules from Group B, which must be from the same subject field.

Group A. Mandatory

- AFL1501: Language Through an African Lens
- BPT1501: Being a Professional Teacher
- CAD1501: Child and Adolescent Development
- DPP1501: Diversity, Pedagogy and Practice
- EST1501: Academic Proficiency in English for Student Teachers
- EUP1501: Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
- INS1502: Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
- PSC1501: Practical Science for the Classroom

Group B. Choose 2 modules from the same subject field.

- GCS1501: Guidance, Counselling and Life Skills Development
- IED1501: Introduction to Environmental Education
- MTE1501: Mathematics 1 for Teachers
- MTE1502: Mathematics 2 for Teachers
- SCC1501: Science for the Classroom 1
- SCC1502: Science for the Classroom 2
- TEC1501: Technology 1 for the Classroom
- TEC1502: Technology 2 for the Classroom

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Higher Certificate in Education Fees at Unisa

Unisa Study Fees - 2024

Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Foundation and Intermediate Phase:

Unisa Higher Certificate in Education in Senior and FET Phase:

Can I become a teacher with Higher Certificate at Unisa?

You might be wondering, Can I teach or become a teacher with a higher certificate in education qualification? Well, The Higher Certificate in Education is not a Professional Teaching Qualification meaning that with only higher certificate in education certificate, you wont be able to teach in schools. After obtaining your higher certificate you need to enrol for a bachelor's degree in education and study to be a fully qualified teacher. Following receiving your degree that is when you can be a teacher and teach in schools.

How long is Higher Certificate in Education at Unisa?

Higher Certificate in Education at Unisa takes one year to complete but if you cannot finish in one year, Unisa gives students a maximum of 3 years to complete the higher certificate in teaching. Completing in one year is based on the assumption that you will register for the maximum number of credits allowed per semester, which is 60 credits. 

Can I teach Foundation Phase with Higher Certificate?

No, you cannot teach foundation phase with only higher certificate qualification. As mentioned, higher certificate acts as a bridging course, the minimum qualification required to teach Foundation Phase in South Africa is a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree in Foundation Phase Teaching.

Higher Certificate in Education is a valuable qualification, but it does not provide you with the full range of knowledge and skills that you need to be a successful Foundation Phase teacher. In addition, the BEd degree requires you to do teaching practice, which gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience in the classroom.

Can I apply for teaching in other universities with higher certificate from Unisa

No, You cannot use higher certificate you obtained from Unisa to apply in other universities. You can only apply for a bachelors degree at Unisa. Other Universities will consider your final grade 12 results to accept you into their bachelor of education program. 

What job can I get with a Higher Certificate in Education?

You cannot get employment with a higher certificate. A higher certificate in education is a bridge that helps you to reach your goals and pursue a career in teaching. Higher certificate in education serves as an entry point therefore you should further your studies to be recognised as a qualified teacher.

Can I do teaching with Higher Certificate in Unisa?

If you have passed with a higher certificate endorsement in grade 12, you can't directly apply for a teaching degree at Unisa. Your first step is to apply for the higher certificate in education, therefore you will be allowed to enrol in a four-year teaching degree program after successfully completing your higher certificate qualification. 

It's important to note that you don't have to complete your higher certificate course before applying for the BEd (Bachelor of Education) program. You can use your results from the first semester of the higher certificate to apply for BEd. Doing a higher certificate in education doesn't guarantee that you will be accepted into the BEd program. For the higher certificate in foundation phase and intermediate phase, you need to pass MTE 1501 module to qualify for BEd in foundation or intermediate phase. Failing to pass will prevent you from being accepted into the degree program.

If you are considering a career in teaching, the Unisa Higher Certificate in Education is a great option to consider. It is a recognized and accredited qualification that will give you the knowledge and skills you need to enrol for a degree. The amazing thing is that the qualification is completely offered online and tuition fees are affordable.

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