Top 5 Teaching Courses In South Africa

1. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)

• Overview: This is an undergraduate degree designed for students who want to become professional teachers in schools. It usually takes four years to complete and prepares students for teaching in either primary or secondary schools.
• Institutions: Universities like the University of Pretoria, University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, and UNISA offer this degree.
• Requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Bachelor’s Pass
  • Minimum pass in specific subjects (e.g., English, Mathematics for primary school teaching)
  • Some universities may require specific marks for subjects related to the area of specialization (e.g., science, math, or languages for high school teaching)
• Specializations: Early Childhood Development, Foundation Phase (Grades R–3), Intermediate Phase (Grades 4–6), Senior Phase and FET (Grades 7–12).

2. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

• Overview: This is a one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) course aimed at graduates who want to enter the teaching profession after completing a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching field.
• Institutions: Offered by many universities, including the University of Johannesburg, Wits University, and UNISA.
• Requirements:
  • A recognized undergraduate degree (e.g., BA, BSc, BCom)
  • The degree must include courses related to the subjects the applicant wants to teach (e.g., a BA in English for teaching English).
  • Some institutions may require a specific level of achievement in the applicant’s chosen teaching subject.
• Focus: It prepares students to teach in the Intermediate, Senior, or Further Education and Training (FET) phases.

3. Diploma in Grade R Teaching

• Overview: This program is designed for individuals who want to specialize in teaching young children in Grade R (Reception Year). It is often a three-year diploma course.
• Institutions: Universities and technical colleges such as UNISA and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) offer this course.
• Requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with appropriate subject passes
  • Some colleges accept a Higher Certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Focus: Early childhood education, child development, and foundational skills for teaching young learners.

4. Advanced Diploma in Education (ADE)

• Overview: The ADE is designed for current teachers who want to further specialize in a particular field of teaching, or those looking for career advancement. It focuses on areas such as leadership, curriculum development, and subject specializations.
• Institutions: Most universities that offer education programs provide this diploma.
• Requirements:
  • A recognized teaching qualification (such as a B.Ed. or PGCE)
  • Relevant teaching experience may be required for admission.
• Specializations: Educational leadership, mathematics education, language education, special needs education, etc.

5. Higher Certificate in Education

• Overview: A one-year certificate aimed at students who want to start their journey toward becoming a teacher or who do not meet the requirements for a B.Ed. program.
• Institutions: Offered by institutions such as UNISA and certain private colleges.
• Requirements:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification.
  • Minimum subject pass requirements may vary depending on the institution.
• Progression: This qualification may serve as a stepping stone to a B.Ed. program.

General Requirements for Teaching Courses in South Africa:

• Language Proficiency: Most institutions require students to have a good command of English (as it is a medium of instruction), and proficiency in an additional official South African language can be beneficial.
• Subject-Specific Requirements: Depending on the phase or subject specialization, students may need to have achieved a certain level in high school subjects (e.g., a high score in Mathematics if pursuing a teaching degree in the sciences).
• National Senior Certificate: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Pass (matriculation) with a certain level of achievement in key subjects.
• Police Clearance: Aspiring teachers may need to undergo a police clearance to ensure they are suitable to work with children, as per the South African Council for Educators (SACE) requirements.
• SACE Registration: Upon completion of a teaching qualification, all educators must register with the South African Council for Educators.

These courses are designed to prepare educators for the different phases of education in South Africa, from early childhood development to high school teaching. Each course and qualification has specific entry requirements based on the level of study and intended area of teaching.