IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting Course Requirements at Varsity College
Varsity College · Faculty of Commerce
The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is a postgraduate Diploma offered by Varsity College for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking 1 year full-time (contact or online) to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Minimum Admission Requirements to study IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting at Varsity College
- A SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree with all four third-year core subjects completed, or a completed accountancy bridging programme covering those subjects
- International qualifications need a SAQA NQF Level 7 evaluation certificate
- Repeat applicants need at least a 40% average and may have made no more than two previous attempts
About this course
The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting is the SAICA-endorsed bridge between an accounting degree and the chartered accountancy board exams. It is a 180-credit IIE qualification at NQF Level 8 (SAQA ID 88609) from the School of Finance and Accounting, offered full-time over one year at the Ruimsig, Sandton, Durban North and Cape Town Newlands campuses and online, with a February intake.
There are four intensive modules:
- Financial Accounting
- Taxation
- Management Accounting and Finance
- Auditing
The programme is demanding and exam focused, preparing you for SAICA's Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC), the first of the two professional exams.
It suits graduates of a SAICA-accredited undergraduate degree, such as the IIE Bachelor of Accounting, who are committed to becoming chartered accountants. After the IAC you complete a three-year training contract with an accredited employer and then the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to qualify as a CA(SA). Applicants who have attempted the diploma before need at least a 40% average and are allowed a maximum of two previous attempts.
Possible careers
Graduates write the SAICA IAC, complete articles and qualify as CA(SA), then work in audit, tax, consulting, financial management and as CFOs or finance directors.
Course intelligence for IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
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 Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. 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 through the Emeris postgraduate portal (portal.emeris.ac.za/application/postgrad-contact/ for contact study, or the online portal for distance study). Upload a copy of your ID or passport, a certified academic transcript and a certified copy of your undergraduate qualification. Selection is based on your marks and the programme's specific entry rules, and places are limited, so apply well before the intake.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Varsity College’s own official application page.
Apply NowYou will leave studies.mycourses.co.za and apply directly with Varsity College.
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.emeris.ac.za/qualifications/postgraduate-diploma-in-accounting, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Varsity College before applying.
