GED to BEd (Education Degree) in South Africa: a Step-by-Step Pathway
- 6 hours ago
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Does your child dream of becoming a teacher—but you’re not sure how to turn a GED into a realistic pathway toward a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in South Africa? If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by admissions rules, or unsure which steps come first, this guide will walk you through the process in a clear, practical, step-by-step way—so you can plan with confidence and choose the best route for your child’s future.
Many homeschoolers finish strong with the GED, then hit the same question: “How do we get from GED to a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in South Africa?”
In SA, the GED is often treated as an NQF Level 4 school-leaving credential, but usually without automatic degree admission (“matric exemption”)—so the pathway typically includes a bridging step (like an NQF5 Higher Certificate) and/or an exemption application. Your Eunoia articles explain this clearly and are great to keep on hand when planning.
Step 1: Do the SAQA evaluation for the GED
If your child has a foreign/US-based credential (including GED documentation), the most common first move is a SAQA evaluation of foreign qualifications.
SAQA’s Foreign Qualifications Evaluation system is handled via their online portals. (https://saqa.org.za/)
South Africa’s official services portal notes typical processing times (e.g., 30 working days for normal applications) and points you back to SAQA for costs/tariffs. (Government of South Africa)
Download the GED.com SAQA User Manual with step-by-step instructions.
What to prep (typical):
Apply online / get the form and complete all sections (SA Government guidance).
Attach:
Certified copies of required documents
Proof of payment in ZAR
Certified copy of ID/passport
Sworn English translations if documents aren’t in English
Timing: SA Gov guidance lists ~30 working days (normal), with faster options for urgent/priority/special requests.
Cost: Typical cost mentioned in SA GED support resources: R2020 total (R320 + R1700), and evaluation is case-by-case.
How to apply:
Click on apply for an evaluation, register as a user and lodge an on-line application. Always check for possible updated information under documents above.
The Online Application System contains all the relevant information, including:
A documents Section where SAQA will always post important alerts;
The current tariffs as approved by the SAQA Board;
Payment per qualification submitted for evaluation;
How payment can be made;
How to compile and submit required documents click here.
What happens with results:
– When results are ready, SAQA will also inform applicants of the electronic SAQA Certificate of Evaluation available to them
Recognition decisions and the right to appeal.
Applicants also need to take note of the guidelines for refunds and cancellation.
Practical tip: keep digital PDFs ready, so you can use the portals without delays.
Step 2: Higher Certificate/NQF5 Bridge (GED to BEd)
If the GED does not give direct bachelor’s degree entry, the most common bridge is completing a registered NQF Level 5 qualification (usually a Higher Certificate). This can:
strengthen applications,
create an academic record in SA,
and (in many cases) support a matriculation exemption route (next step).
Education-aligned Higher Certificates (good for a BEd pathway)
Here are solid, relevant options with direct program pages:
Hugenote College Wellington - National Diploma in Early Childhood Development NQF 5 (Hugenote College)
Boston City Campus - various Higher Certificates are available (Boston)
STADIO – Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education (NQF5) (STADIO)
STADIO – Higher Certificate in Education Assistance (NQF5) (STADIO)
Rosebank College IIE - Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education NQF5 (Rosebank)
Varsity College (The IIE) — Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (NQF 5, ECD focus) (Varsity College)
MANCOSA — Higher Certificate in Robotics and Coding in Education (NQF 5, education + tech) (MANCOSA)
SANTS – Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (NQF5) (and they note it can provide access into their BEd path) (SANTS)
UWC – Higher Certificate in Education (Adult Learning / T&D) (UWC)
Tip (important): universities decide admission case-by-case and there are no guarantees, so choose a Higher Certificate that matches the teaching phase/field you ultimately want (Foundation/Intermediate/Senior/FET).
✅ I excluded the UNISA Higher Certificate options because they do not accept the GED for their Higher Certificate courses.
Step 3: Apply for Matriculation Exemption (USAf Matriculation Board) when needed
For bachelor’s degree study at SA universities, students often need a Matriculation Exemption (this is a legal/administrative admission requirement). (Universities South Africa)
The “Paragraph 17” route (common for post-school bridging)
USAf Matriculation Board’s Paragraph 17 covers complete exemption by virtue of academic/professional certificates. (Matriculation Board)
USAf also provides an online assessment that guides you on minimum requirements before applying. (MBIT Application)
In many real-world cases, families use an NQF5 (Higher Certificate) as part of the evidence for exemption pathways (requirements differ by route and documents—use the USAf assessment to confirm your child’s exact situation). (Matriculation Board)
Step 4: Bachelor of Education
Once you’ve done the Higher Certificate (and/or secured USAf exemption where required), apply for a Bachelor of Education (BEd).
Important: admission varies by institution
Tip: If a university doesn’t offer a BEd: use the “Degree + PGCE” teaching route.
Not every university offers a BEd. For example, UCT explicitly positions the PGCE as its teaching qualification route (i.e., you first do a bachelor’s degree, then PGCE). (UCT News)
PGCE examples (if you ever need them):
Wits PGCE (Wits University)
STADIO PGCE (Senior Phase & FET) (STADIO)
Common Specializations
Foundation Phase Teaching (Grades R-3)
Intermediate Phase Teaching (e.g., Maths, Science)
Senior/FET Phase Teaching (High School subjects like Life Orientation, Geography, Sciences)
Educational Leadership and Management
Educational Psychology
Inclusive Education
What You Learn
Principles of teaching and learning
Curriculum knowledge and subject-specific pedagogy
Classroom management and diverse learning contexts
Developing professional identity as an educator
Career Paths
Classroom Teacher (Foundation, Intermediate, FET phases)
Educational Leadership (e.g., Head of Department, Principal)
Educational Policy
Researcher or Specialist in Education
How to Choose
Consider your interests and existing qualifications. A BEd provides initial training, while a PGCE allows those with other degrees to enter teaching. Postgraduate degrees offer advanced specialization.
Optional: “Broader” education-degree routes (not only BEd)
Some universities also offer routes like:
A Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA/BSc) + PGCE, depending on teaching phase and subject requirements (example explained by Rhodes).
This can be a good option if a student already has a strong interest in a particular subject area (Languages, Science, Maths, etc.), but it depends on admission rules and planning the right undergraduate subject mix.
Step 5: Where can you study a BEd in South Africa (public universities & private)?
Below is a practical, as-complete-as-possible list of places that do offer BEd programs (confirmed from institutional/faculty pages or official docs). Always double-check the latest prospectus for your intake year and campus mode.
Public universities (BEd offered)
Stellenbosch University (SU) (Stellenbosch University)
University of Pretoria (UP) (University of Pretoria)
University of the Western Cape (UWC) (UWC)
University of Johannesburg (UJ) (UJ Online)
North-West University (NWU) (North-West University Education)
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) (Wits University)
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Rhodes University (Rhodes University)
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) (Nelson Mandela University Education)
University of Fort Hare (UFH) (Fort Hare University)
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) (University of Mpumalanga)
University of Venda (UNIVEN) (BEd Foundation Phase shown) (University of Venda)
University of Zululand (UNIZULU) (University of Zululand)
Sol Plaatje University (SPU)
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) (Tshwane University of Technology)
Central University of Technology (CUT) (Central University of Technology)
Durban University of Technology (DUT) (Durban University of Technology)
University of Limpopo (UL) (BEd listed under School/Department of Education) (University of Limpopo)
UNISA (distance) (University of South Africa)
Public university that uses PGCE instead of BEd
University of Cape Town (UCT) – PGCE route (UCT News)
Private institutions (BEd offered)
(Confirm DHET/CHE/SAQA status for the specific qualification before enrolling.)
STADIO – BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching) (STADIO)
SANTS – BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching) (SANTS)
Varsity College (The IIE) – BEd (Foundation Phase Teaching) (Varsity College)
Emeris (offers the IIE BEd Foundation Phase) (Emeris)
MANCOSA (Mancosa)
Helderberg College of Higher Education (HCHE)
Two Oceans Graduate Institution (TOGI)
Regenesys School of Education (Regenesys)
Final encouragement (and support if you need it)
If your child has completed the GED and is aiming for a Degree in Education, please know this: this is a valid, achievable path. It may look a little different from the “traditional school route,” but many homeschoolers thrive because they’ve already learned how to study independently, think critically, and persevere through a non-linear journey.
Take it one step at a time: get clarity, build the bridge, and apply with confidence.
And if you’d like specialized, child-centered guidance—especially if your teen is neurodivergent, anxious, unsure, or has a very specific learning/career profile—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
I can help you map a realistic pathway with recommendations tailored to your child’s strengths, needs, interests, and goals. You deserve a plan that fits your child—not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
✅ Book a Screening & Consultation that fits your needs here:
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