Higher Certificate in School Governance

The admission requirement for The Higher Certificate in School Governance programme is as follows:

The minimum entry requirement is the National Senior Certificate or the National Certificate Vocational with appropriate subject combinations and levels of achievement as defined in the Minister’s policies: Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes Requiring a National Senior Certificate, Government Gazette, Vol 751, No 32131 of 11 July 2008 and Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree Programmes requiring a National Certificate (Vocational), published in the Government Gazette, Vol. 533, No. 32743, November 2009.

To be considered for admission to MANCOSA’s Higher Certificate in School Governance programme, any one of the following qualifications apply:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an NQF Level 4 National Certificate (Vocational) – (NCV) with an endorsement for entry into a Higher Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor’s study programme
• General Education Diploma (GED)
• An equivalent accredited NQF level 4 (120 credits) qualification
• A National Vocational Certificate level 4 qualification with a 50% pass in English
• International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) (Provided that the applicant is above the age of 23 with five subjects with pass marks between A-C)

In addition to the above, students can also gain access to the programme through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For mature age exemption 45+ the applicant should:

• Be at least 45 years of age

Not be in possession of an accredited post-matric qualification (120 credits)

Selections Criteria

MANCOSA’s admission and selection processes are fair, clear, and explicit, and support, where practically possible, broad, and diverse access for those with the potential to benefit from higher education. In achieving this, all applications are received and processed by the MANCOSA Admissions and Selections Department and are referred to the Academics for final approval. The Admissions and Selections processes are guided by the requirements which are stipulated in the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF, 2014).

The Admissions and Selections Policy and Terms of Reference provides clear guidelines and regulations for the admission and selection of prospective students, both nationally and internationally, to advance the strategic objectives of MANCOSA as articulated in its vision and mission statements.

MANCOSA has minimum academic requirements that applicants must meet to be considered for admission onto a programme, and these criteria are outlined in the Admissions and Selections Policy. MANCOSA is mindful of the complexities involved in student selection, which involves: the promotion and marketing of programmes to prospective students, organisations, industries, and other relevant stakeholders and the identification and selection of applicants for specific programmes of study.

For students to be eligible for the programme, they are required to meet the pre-requisites in the admission criteria. The selection criteria for this programme are in accordance with the MANCOSA Admissions and Selections Policy. Selection criteria for the Higher Certificate in School Governance include one or more of the following:

• Achievement of relevant higher education qualifications at the required NQF level;
• Personal interviews;
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL);
• South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) or Universities’ South Africa (USA) certification of equivalence

In addition to the above, MANCOSA will select all those individuals who are working within schools, including those serving on a school governing body. The Higher Certificate in School Governance programme will serve to build knowledge in the field of school governance, leadership, and management.

Who Should Apply?

• Individuals looking to pursue a career in school governance
• Current School Principals, Members of School Governing Bodies, Teachers, Heads of Departments, and School Administrators