Higher Certificate in Office Management Course Requirements at HCHE
Helderberg College of Higher Education · Faculty of Business
The Higher Certificate in Office Management is a higher Certificate offered by HCHE for 2027 learners, taking 1 year full-time to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Higher Certificate in Office Management at HCHE
- A National Senior Certificate with at least a higher certificate pass, with seven subjects passed
- English at level 3 (40 to 49%) or higher
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at level 2 (30 to 39%) or higher
- A minimum Helderberg APS of 18
- Mature age and RPL routes may apply
About this course
This one-year higher certificate trains students to run a modern office efficiently. It is a 120-credit qualification at NQF Level 5 (SAQA ID 94574), taught through contact classes in Somerset West.
Semester 1 modules:
- Office Management IA
- Business Computing IA
- Communication IA
- Introduction to Public Relations
- Basic Accounting
- Work-Integrated Learning
- Values, Character and Personal Enrichment I
Semester 2 modules:
- Office Management IB
- Business Computing IB
- Basic Law
- Business Administration IA
- Communication IB
- Principles of Health
The programme is a good fit for school leavers who want a quick route into administrative work, or who do not yet meet the requirements for a degree. The work-integrated learning module gives some real workplace exposure. After completing it, students can apply for an advanced certificate in office management or for the college's BBA in Management. Classes are held on the Somerset West campus.
Possible careers
Accounts Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Customer Relations Officer, Office Manager, Personal Assistant, Secretary
Course intelligence for Higher Certificate in Office Management
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Good sign: Accounts Clerk appears on South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand, a Department of Higher Education and Training analysis of employer hiring activity. Employers have been reporting real recruitment pressure for this role, which generally works in your favour once you’ve completed Higher Certificate in Office Management.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like HCHE. Ask HCHE directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
This course sits in the middle for competitiveness. At an admission score of APS 18+, you have a reasonable chance if you apply in good time, though it’s not a sure thing. Don’t leave your application to the last week.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with HCHE and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online on the HCHE website. Submit a certified copy of your school certificate, your ID and character references. You will receive a formal acceptance letter from the Admissions Committee.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Helderberg College of Higher Education’s own official application page.
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View all Courses at HCHE
- Duration
- 1 year full-time
- NQF Level
- 5
- APS / Points
- APS 18 on the Helderberg scale
- Fees
- 2026 fee guide: about R22 400 for the year (R160 per credit), plus registration. Residence is extra.
- Application deadline
- Registration for semester 1 closes late January; confirm with admissions
- Campus
- Somerset West Campus, Somerset West
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Related courses
Source: Official website: https://hche.ac.za/higher-certificate-in-office-management/, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Helderberg College of Higher Education before applying.