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San and Khoisan language groupsThese are not one single standardised language and major machine translators do not support them properly yet. We are keeping the gap visible because it matters.
Usually suits people who want desk + practical work.
Usually involves people-heavy.
Take the quiz for a personal trade-off view
This path usually asks for 4 years of study or training.
One of the real pressures is that it can be classroom management can be demanding.
1. What this job is
Plans and teaches lessons, builds subject understanding, and supports learner development in schools.
2. What daily life feels like
Preparing lesson plans, teaching classes, marking work, tracking learner progress, managing classroom behaviour, and communicating with parents, colleagues, and school leadership.
3. Why someone might enjoy it
You enjoy work that feels helping, people-focused, structured and you can handle the trade-offs that come with it.
Clear professional qualification routes
Strong social contribution
Many phase and subject specialisations
4. What may be difficult
Classroom management can be demanding
SACE registration and phase/subject alignment matter
Workload extends beyond classroom hours
5. Market reality
A simple picture of what this path tends to feel like in the market: how earnings usually grow, how reachable the path is, and how steady it may feel over time.
Salary path
Entry: low Mid: low-medium Long-term: medium
Job access
Moderate
Long-term stability
Strong
6. Paths into the role
Path data is still being checked
We are still building and updating this section. Some paths may be incomplete or need correction, especially while the platform is still early. Use this as a starting point, then check current entry requirements, registration rules, providers, and funding options yourself before making a decision.
Bachelor of Education
Required for professional registration
Entry req:Matric + subjects
In South Africa:Well recognised
The direct undergraduate path into professional teaching, with phase/subject training and teaching practice.
Typical provider: University with recognised teacher education programme
Best for: The direct undergraduate path into teaching.
SA level: Professional teacher education degree path
Useful to know: APS and subject requirements vary by university and teaching phase.
Minimum duration:4 yr
Cost:High
Qualification:Undergraduate degree
Choose the phase and subjects carefully. Admission requirements vary by university, and SACE registration is required before appointment as an educator.
What this can lead to
Professional teacher qualification
School placement experience
SACE registration pathway
Things to think about
7. Where to study in South Africa
These are general places of study to check, split into online or distance options and campus or in-person routes. They may not offer this exact qualification yet; use these directories as a starting point while we build programme-by-programme data.
A public distance-learning university. It is often a lower-cost option than many private routes, but it is not free.
Run by: UNISA
Best used for: Open learning
Good to compare if you need public university study at a distance. Check fees, admission requirements, timing, and whether the qualification fits the role you want.
Some registered private higher education institutions offer online, blended, or distance qualifications.
Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training
Best used for: Private higher education
Use this to compare private options without assuming they are all equal. Check DHET registration, qualification accreditation, total cost, and whether the route is accepted for any professional registration you may need.
These are official places to start checking for funding. Some are broad, some may be more relevant to this field, and most depend on current application cycles and eligibility rules.
These are extra options to investigate beyond formal funding. Ask employers, training providers, and industry bodies whether they offer bursaries, internships, learnerships, sponsored training, or entry programmes.
Funding route
NSFAS
Funding support for qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges.
Coverage: Tuition and selected living costs for eligible learners.
Best for: Public study pathways with household income limits.
Availability depends on the institution and eligibility rules.
Funding route
Merit bursary
Academic or portfolio-based funding from institutions and private organisations.
Coverage: Partial or full fee support depending on performance.
Best for: Degree, diploma, and design-oriented pathways with strong results.
More realistic for students with strong marks or standout portfolios.
These are more specific versions or branches of this path. They help you understand the shape of the work without splitting closely related options into duplicate career pages.
Foundation Phase School Teaching
Teaches young children in the first years of school, focusing on early literacy, numeracy, confidence, and classroom routines.
Teaching early literacy and numeracy
Creating classroom routines and activities
Supporting young learners' development
Further Education and Training Phase Teaching
Teaches Grades 10 to 12 learners in specialist subjects, helping them prepare for exams, study, and work choices.
Teaching specialist senior-subject content
Preparing assessments and exam support
Tracking learner progress
Intermediate Phase School Teaching
Teaches Grades 4 to 6 learners across core subjects, building confidence as children move into more independent learning.
Teaching intermediate phase subjects
Assessing learner progress
Supporting classroom routines and learner confidence
Senior Phase School Teaching
Teaches and supports learners in Grades 7 to 9, helping them build subject confidence and learning habits.
Planning and teaching senior phase lessons
Assessing learner progress
Managing classroom routines and learner support
12. Information sources
This path is linked to South Africa’s 2024 occupations-in-high-demand list, sometimes through a broader occupation group. It is dated demand evidence, not a measure of current vacancies or a guarantee of work.
How clear the evidence is
similar role signal
Latest source year
2024
South African demand list
Shows up there
Confidence
high
Official occupation
Senior Phase School Teacher (Grades 7-9)
OFO 2021-233108
exact role
Minimum qualification: Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7)
Weighted demand score : 0.86
Official occupation
FET Phase School Teacher (Grades 10-12)
OFO 2021-233107
exact role
Minimum qualification: Bachelor's Degree or Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7)
Weighted demand score : 0.85
Takes several years
Phase/subject choice matters
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Required for professional registration
Entry req:Prior qualification
In South Africa:Well recognised
A path into teaching after completing a suitable undergraduate degree with subjects that align to the phase or subjects you want to teach.
Typical provider: University with recognised PGCE programme
Best for: Converting a suitable degree into a teaching pathway.
SA level: Postgraduate certificate path after a suitable degree
Useful to know: Entry depends on prior degree subjects, academic record, and institution rules.
Minimum duration:1 yr
Cost:Medium
Qualification:Postgraduate qualification
Requires an appropriate prior degree and academic record. Subject and phase alignment are important for employment and SACE registration.
What this can lead to
Teaching qualification after another degree
Subject-specialist teaching path
SACE registration pathway
Things to think about
Requires an appropriate prior degree
Subject/phase alignment can limit options
Campus and in person
Study directory
South African public universities
Campus or in person
Official DHET directory of public universities and universities of technology across South Africa.
Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training
Best used for: Public universities
Good starting point for degree routes, professional qualifications, and public university admissions pages.
A registered private higher education institution offering accredited higher education programmes through brands and campuses including Emeris and IIE Rosebank International.
Run by: The Independent Institute of Education
Best used for: Private higher education
IIE is useful to compare for private higher education routes across commerce, education, ICT, law, humanities, finance, and related fields. Treat registration as a baseline check, then confirm the specific qualification, fees, delivery mode, and professional-body requirements before applying.
A registered private higher education institution offering contact, distance, and blended qualifications across several academic schools.
Run by: STADIO
Best used for: Private higher education
STADIO is a separate private provider, not part of IIE. It can be useful to compare for fields such as education, commerce, administration, IT, media and design, engineering and architecture, law, and policing. Check the exact qualification and registration details before enrolling.