ICB national certificate courses are your ticket to earning a matric equivalent qualification. Each ICB programme has its own selection of courses to choose from. So you can find the one that suits your interests the best.
What Are The ICB National Certificate Courses?
A national certificate is a skills-focused qualification that is equal to an NQF level 4. There are three ICB national certificate courses. Take your pick from:
What Are The Entry Requirements To Study ICB National Certificate Courses?
The great thing about these courses is that you can start studying them without any previous experience. There are separate entry requirements for each programme. To study ICB national certificate courses, you need:
- Bookkeeping – Grade 10
- Business Management – Grade 11
- Office Administration – Grade 12
The courses are offered in English, so you need to have a good understanding of the language.
Do I Need Matric To Study ICB National Certificate Courses?
You only need matric to study the ICB Office Administration courses. If you do not have matric, ICB will also accept a matric equivalent course you have completed. Alternatively, you can get your matric with us. Check out our Adult Matric Courses to get started.
What Are The ICB Qualifications Equivalent to?
ICB qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). So their programmes are equivalent to:
- ICB National Certificate Courses – NQF Level 3 – 4
- ICB Higher Certificate Courses – NQF Level 5
- ICB Diploma Courses – NQF level 6
Which Courses Does ICB Offer?
ICB does not just offer national certificate courses. You can keep studying and earn your higher certificate and national diploma with them too. Explore your options below.
If you are looking to start your finance career, you can get started with bookkeeping courses. You do not need any previous experience, you will gain all the skills you need in this programme. These courses take between 16 months and two years to complete. Once completed, you will have a higher certificate qualification registered at an NQF level 4.
- Junior Bookkeeping
- Senior Bookkeeping
Financial Accounting Courses
Level up your finance skills with ICB’s Financial Accounting Courses. Here you will become qualified to work as an accounting professional in many different industries. After you have studied the bookkeeping courses, the accounting programme (both courses) will take an additional 18 months to complete. These courses will lead you to a national diploma qualification registered at an NQF level 6.
Business Management Courses
Business Management Courses are a great way to gain knowledge on what it takes to make a company successful. The courses below take a total of three years to complete. Once you graduate, you will have a national diploma, which is equivalent to an NQF level 6.
- Small Business Financial Management
- Business Management: Office Admin
- Business Management: Financial Accounting
Office Administration
Office administrators play an important role in keeping the office running. This programme will teach you how to support your co-workers with admin tasks in the workplace. The programme will take you a combined total of 36 months to complete. You will then have a national diploma accredited at an NQF level 6.
- Junior Office Administration
- Higher Certificate in Office Administration
- National Diploma in Office Administration
Can I Study Directly Through ICB?
No you cannot study directly through ICB. This is because they are not a college, ICB is only responsible for setting your exams and printing your certificates. If you want to study ICB Courses, you should register with an accredited training provider.
Can I Self-Study ICB Courses?
You can self-study ICB courses, but this is not a recommended way to study. Studying with a college provides support from lecturers and tutors, which you cannot get from ICB. A college also ensures you have all the latest study material for your course.
How Much Are ICB Course Fees?
ICB does not have course fees because they are not a training provider. But you do pay an annual registration fee (R430 in 2023) and an exam registration fee (R785 per subject in 2023).
Does NSFAS Fund ICB Courses?
No, NSFAS does not fund ICB Courses. NSFAS only funds undergraduate programmes at public universities. Since ICB is not a college or university, NSFAS cannot set aside funding for their courses.
Are ICB Qualifications Recognised?
Yes ICB qualifications are recognised. They are accredited by SAQA. ICB is also a quality assurance partner for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
Is ICB Recognised in South Africa?
Yes, ICB is recognised in South Africa. The courses are registered on the NQF. And once you have completed your studies, there are professional membership bodies that will recognise your qualifications. These include:
- SAIT – South African Institute of Taxation
- SAIBA – Southern African Insitute of Business Accountants
- IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers
- IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals
Please note: Membership depends on what you studied and your level of qualification. If you would like to join any of them, make sure to do some research first.
Is ICB Internationally Recognised?
Yes ICB is internationally recognised. This means you can use your qualifications to look for job opportunities overseas.
What Can I Do With An ICB Qualification?
You can use your ICB qualification to kick-start your career in South Africa or abroad. Some of the careers you can pursue include:
- Bookkeeper
- Accounting Technician
- Financial Accountant
- Office Manager
- Business Manager
- Payroll Clerk
- Accounting Assistant
- Personal Assistant
- Human Resources Assistant
If you would like more information about studying our ICB Certificate Courses, you are welcome to contact our course experts.
Skills Academy is the word support in every way.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, UNISA does not offer ICB Courses anymore. Luckily, there are many other accredited distance learning colleges that offer ICB programmes. Skills Academy is one of them. You can study our courses at your own pace, from the comfort of your home.
Yes you can get a job with ICB certificates. The skills you learn in these programmes will set you up to apply for jobs as soon as you graduate.
Yes, ICB courses are accredited. You can rest assured that your qualification meets national standards.
Over the last five years, ICB has had over 25 000 successful graduates.
The pass mark for ICB is a minimum of 60%. This mark is an average of both your Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) and final exam combined. Your PoE counts 30%, and the exam counts 70%.
You can study more ICB programmes. The courses are designed to have overlapping subjects so that it will be faster to achieve your next qualification.
The ICB student portal is a platform you can use to manage your studies with ICB. You can use it to:
- Register for ICB courses
- Book an exam
- Check your results
- Update your personal information, and more
