As of 2006, the new FET curriculum was implemented from Grade 10 in South Africa. Learners who are completing Grade 12 in 2008 will be the first to write the new National Senior Certificate examinations. 

Find out more about the National Senior Certificate.

Learners who want to go on to higher education will still need to get a Matric Endorsement or Matric Exemption. This means they have to pass certain subjects at a certain level. Universities still have a points system in place - learners are awarded a certain number of points according to their final matric marks. Different courses require more or less points. Certain higher education courses will still require particular subjects - for example, mathematics for an Engineering degree or diploma. However, most higher education institutions now offer bridging courses and alternative methods of application which cater for learners who have potential but have not achieved a Matric Endorsement or scored enough points.

Read more about FET.

Find out what FET Institutions are registered in South Africa.