What’s the Difference Between a Higher Certificate, a Diploma and a Degree?

This guide will help you understand the difference between a higher certificate, a diploma and a degree. It gives you the information you’re looking for so that you can decide what the right qualification is for your career goals. Do you want to upskill quickly? Enter a profession or start a longer academic journey? Here’s how to decide between higher certificates, diplomas and degrees.  

Higher Certificate vs Diploma vs Degree

Each of these three qualifications enables you to pursue a different career avenue. They vary according to entry requirements, time taken to complete them and what jobs you’re able to apply for once qualified. Not all courses are full-time. Many qualifications can be completed on a part-time basis and some off-campus using, for example, online platforms. If you choose to study part-time, a course will take longer to complete; however, you might also be able to work at the same time. This could enable you to gain valuable practical experience while studying or decrease the amount of your study loans. These are things to consider as you weigh the differences between a higher certificate, diploma, and degree. 

What is a Higher Certificate (NQF 5)?

A higher certificate is not a degree; it is an NQF level 5 qualification. It is a structured learning path qualification that aims to equip students with a basic understanding of and practical skills in their field. A higher certificate is an affordable entry point into a career starter as well as an accessible pathway into a diploma and/or degree. Therefore, depending on your career goals, pursuing a higher certificate may be worthwhile.  

5 Benefits of a Higher Certificate

1. Affordable: Less expensive than degrees and diplomas.
2. Short study: Usually one year.
3. Career starter: Focused on work-readiness, provides a mix of understanding and essential skills.
4. Career advancer: Can be used to upskill or facilitate a career change.
5. Entry point into higher education: Can be used to qualify for entry into a diploma or degree.

To do a higher certificate, you need a matric pass or equivalent. Career opportunities with a higher certificate include, but are not limited to, entry-level positions in business, marketing, IT, HR, accounting and educational assistance. Alternatively, you could apply to study further and pursue a diploma or degree. 

Where to Study a Higher Certificate

SACAP offers a range of higher certificate qualifications, such as:

• Higher Certificate in Counselling & Communication Skills  
• Higher Certificate in Business Management
• Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management 

What is a Diploma (NQF 6)?

A diploma is a higher learning non-degree education NQF level 6 qualification. It’s a great way of combining practical work experience within a specific field with theoretical information. Diplomas equip learners for more specialised entry-level positions than a higher certificate will. Diplomas vary in levels and requirements, and tend to be industry-relevant. SACAP Diplomas are accredited by the CHE and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by SAQA.  

5 Benefits of a Diploma

1. Affordable: Costs less than a degree. 
2. Short to medium study: 2-3 years (full-time). 
3. Increased employability in specialised fields: Focused on job-specific practical skills. 
4. Career advancer: Can be used to upskill for a promotion or change of career. 
5. Entry point to higher education: Can be used to qualify for entry into advanced diplomas or a degree. 

A diploma is higher than a certificate. Therefore, to apply for a diploma in South Africa, you need a matric certificate (National Senior Certificate (NSC)) with a diploma pass (or completed higher certificate pathway). Some diplomas also require a minimum achievement rating in specific subjects. Once you have a basic secondary qualification, you can also explore higher national diplomas, graduate diplomas and postgraduate diplomas. These advanced types of diplomas build on existing levels of education and vary in their entry-level requirements.  

Where to Study a Diploma

SACAP offers a Diploma in Counselling & Communication Skills (with ASCHP registration pathway). 

What is a Degree (NQF 7-10)?

Degrees are a level 7-10 NQF qualification. These levels are categorised as Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Master’s and Doctoral.  Students are required to complete one level before they can apply to a higher level. Often, there are additional requirements for entry to each level, such as a minimal pass rate or completion of specific courses. Degree qualifications are higher than certificates and diplomas. 

5 Benefits of a Degree

1. Higher chance of employability: Lower unemployment risk. 
2. Better long-term earning potential: Higher earning potential.
3. Increased job security: More likely to be employed in the formal sector and, therefore, secure permanent contracts with access to benefit schemes.  
4. Career advancement: A degree often leads to job progression, especially where further specialisation is a job requirement. 
5. Development of critical thinking skills: The fostering of complex problem-solving skills with a deep theoretical understanding is a highly valued work skill. 

Degrees from higher learning institutions, such as SACAP, are nationally benchmarked and internationally recognised. This enables successful students to practice their profession outside of their country of qualification. Or to apply to study further at an alternative (or international) institution. 

Bachelor’s Degree (NQF 7)

A Bachelor’s Degree is an NQF 7 qualification. The minimum entry requirement for an undergraduate degree is a Matric Exemption with additional criteria, e.g., Minimal mark requirements for specific subjects such as English. 

• Focus: To create a theory-rich foundation. 
• Enables: Graduates can apply for bachelor’s honours degrees. 
• Timeframe: 3 years (full-time) 

Bachelor Honours Degree (NQF 8)

An Honours Degree is an NQF 8 qualification. The entry requirements for a specific honour’s qualification are linked to a relevant bachelor’s degree/undergraduate qualification. Additional criteria may also be required, for example, minimum final marks and primary focuses within an undergraduate course. 

• Focus: A combination of academic and practical training through specialisation within a field and research. 
• Enables: Graduates are prepared for specific professional designations and can apply for master’s degrees. 
• Timeframe: 1 year (full-time). 

What is a Professional Bachelor’s Degree?

A Professional Bachelor’s Degree results in an NQF level 8 qualification. It is the equivalent of an undergraduate and postgraduate honours degree. These often lead to professional registrations within the field of study. Full-time, a Professional Bachelor’s Degree takes 4 years. It is focused on a specific field and is a combination of theoretical and practical skills training. The minimum requirements are the same as an undergraduate degree, a matric exemption with minimal marks and subject requirements. 

Master’s Degree (NQF 9) & Doctoral Degree (NQF 10)

Master’s and Doctoral Degrees are the highest NQF levels in South Africa. To do a Master’s degree, you need to have a qualifying honours degree and meet minimal academic performance requirements. A Doctoral Degree, also known as a PHD, requires a relevant Master’s Degree, evidence of past academic performance and a confirmed supervisor. 

Degrees at SACAP

• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling) 
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Criminology) 
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Business Management)
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management) 
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology 
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Business Management 
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Human Resource Management 
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme] 
• Master of Social Science in Community Mental Health Promotion 

How to Choose the Right Qualification

Step 1: Contextualise what your career goals are

For example, do you want to work with people? Do you want a qualification that’s recognised by an accredited professional body and/or is internationally recognised?  

Step 2: Decide on the best type of qualification to achieve your goals

Consider factors such as how quickly you want to be able to start a working career. How much time do you want to spend studying? What specialisations do you need, and do you want a more practical or theoretically focused learning environment? 

Step 3: Decide where to study

SACAP is here to help you explore your options. Contact us to set up an appointment to chat about what types of qualifications are best for your career ambitions. SACAP is an accredited private higher learning institution that offers internationally recognised Higher Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees. Many of which enable students to gain practical experience through a work-integrated learning approach.