IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices Course Requirements at Varsity College
Varsity College · Faculty of Humanities
The IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices is a higher Certificate offered by Varsity College for 2027 learners, taking 1 year full-time (contact); also offered online 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 IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices at Varsity College
- A National Senior Certificate with a higher certificate pass and at least 30% for English
- An NC(V) higher certificate pass needs 40% for English, and a Senior Certificate needs 33.3% for English
- An SC(a) needs at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching
- International applicants need a SAQA evaluation certificate showing NSC Level 4 equivalence and at least 30% for English
About this course
The IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices builds strong writing, speaking and media skills in one year. It is a 120-credit IIE qualification at NQF Level 5 (SAQA ID 112899) in the Faculty of Humanities, offered full-time on nine campuses and online, with a February intake.
First semester modules are Applied Communication Techniques, Interpersonal Communication, Digital and Academic Literacies and English Language Practice. In the second semester you follow either a communication track, with Design Thinking and Problem-Solving, English Language Practice, Fundamentals of Media Studies and Work Integrated Learning, or an education track that includes Mathematics Fundamentals for students heading into teaching. Language electives in Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, isiXhosa and isiZulu are available.
The certificate suits learners who want to work with people and information, and those who did not get the marks for a degree but want to build up to one. It articulates into the IIE Bachelor of Arts, the IIE Bachelor of Social Science and the IIE Bachelor of Education degrees, subject to their admission rules.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list as a Social Media Assistant. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Varsity College. Ask Varsity College directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
Varsity College’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
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 Varsity College and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through the Emeris undergraduate contact portal (portal.emeris.ac.za/application/undergrad-contact/) and pay the R500 non-refundable application fee. Upload a copy of your ID (or a certified passport copy if you are an international student) and your most recent school report or final Grade 12 results. When you receive an offer, accept it on the portal and pay the R3 000 pre-registration fee, which is later deducted from your tuition. Applications for the 2027 intake close on 30 October 2026; late applications are still considered but carry an extra R2 000 fee.
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View all Courses at Varsity College
- Duration
- 1 year full-time (contact); also offered online
- NQF Level
- 5
- Fees
- 2027 tuition R57 360 (Pretoria, Ruimsig, Durban, Cape Town), R66 120 Sandton, R54 840 Waterfall, R57 120 PMB and NMB; online R49 680
- Application deadline
- 30 October 2026 for the 2027 intake (late applications carry a R2 000 fee)
- Campus
- Sandton Campus, Sandton
- Pretoria Lynnwood Campus, Pretoria
- Ruimsig Campus, Roodepoort
- Waterfall Campus, Midrand
- Durban North Campus, Durban
- Durban Westville Campus, Durban
- Pietermaritzburg Campus, Pietermaritzburg
- Nelson Mandela Bay Campus, Gqeberha
- Cape Town Newlands Campus, Cape Town
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.emeris.ac.za/qualifications/higher-certificate-in-communication-practices, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Varsity College before applying.