Curriculum
What's the best Campus Tuition Option for my child?
It's advised to consider the various campus tuition options below and discuss this with the principal during your interview before deciding on which option is best suited for your child.
We've detailed the differences between both curricula below but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call so we can setup a meeting to answer those questions and tell you more.
What is Cambridge?
Cambridge qualifications are accepted and valued by universities in South Africa and around the world. Cambridge students are well received by universities because of the higher standard of education and therefore the more popular option seems to be Cambridge when choosing between GED and Cambridge. There are over 2,800 Cambridge centres in the world in over 130 countries for students to complete their Cambridge exams.
They are recognised as qualifications that prepare and equip students with the skills they need to succeed both at university and beyond. Universities have been very vocal that they value the independent research and critical thinking skills, as well as the deep subject knowledge that the Cambridge qualifications bring to each student.
How does Cambridge compare to Matric/ Grade 12?
Students can be confident that their Cambridge O Level qualification and Cambridge International AS - & A Level qualifications are accepted as equivalent to a Matric certificate.
Is Cambridge acceptable at universities?
Cambridge qualifications are widely accepted and valued by universities in the South Africa and around the world, including MIT, Harvard and Cambridge.
Why choose Cambridge?
-
Flexibility of subject choice and qualification. Cambridge has a range of subjects to choose from giving the student more flexibility in choosing the subjects that they would like to focus on. In addition, with various qualifications available, it enables the student to shape their curriculum to their own customized needs and abilities.
-
Valued by universities. Cambridge qualifications are well accepted and highly valued by universities and tertiary institutions in South Africa and worldwide.
-
Students can work at their own pace. With the Cambridge qualification examinations available to be written any time a student is ready, twice a year, it allows students who work harder than their peers to finish school earlier than government school cirricula. Likewise it also allows students that need a bit more time to understand the work, to work at a pace that is best for them to achieve success. This results in students being able to build more confidence and create their own a customized learning journey.
-
The freedom to think and to question independently. Students are taught to not just accept things the things that they are taught in their cirriculum but rather to question and think independently.
-
Quality education. Cambridge qualifications help students to become confident, responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged. By choosing Cambridge you will be giving your students a solid foundation for achieving high levels of academic and personal success.
What is GED?
The GED, which stands for General Equivalency Development although many refer to it as General Equivalency Diploma ,tests are a group of four subject tests which, when passed, provide certification that the student has United States or Canadian high school-level academic skills. Although created for students in the United States and Canada it, has become is a popular option worldwide. The GED test is administered all year round at over 3,400 testing centers worldwide. Over 20 million people have received a GED Credential worldwide since the program began in 1942.
Passing the GED test gives those who do not complete high school, or who do not meet requirements for high school diploma or grade 12 equivalent, the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency credential.
Students study and take a series of tests to certify your aptitude, knowledge and skills and the tests are taken either in person in an accredited testing centre or online.
How does GED compare to a South African Matric?
The GED exam is internationally recognised as a high school leavers equivalent or Grade 12 equivalent (NQF4).
Is GED acceptable at universities?
-
South Africa: The GED credential is recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as comparable to the South African National Senior Certificate (NQF4). After a further year of tertiary study in a field of choice, SAQA will issue a GED graduate a Certificate of Foreign Conditional Exemption which they can use to apply to colleges and technical colleges in South Africa. GED graduates have been accepted at certain South African colleges and technical colleges (that require a National Senior Certificate) and at American universities to study various tertiary programs. .
-
USA: Roughly 98% of U.S. colleges and universities accept GED graduates in the same manner as high school graduates. Be sure to check with the institution in which you are applying to see if they accept GED graduates. The colleges to which you apply may also require you to take placement or achievement tests so that they can determine whether you need additional coursework.
-
Worldwide: The GED test is widely accepted by universities and colleges in many countries around the world. Acceptance to a higher education institution is usually based on several criteria, with one such criterion is high school or GED achievement. Click here for more information about your country's universities acceptance.
What subjects are studied in the course?
There are 4 Subject Areas that are tested including:
-
Reasoning through Language Arts - Ability to read closely, write clearly, and edit and understand written text.
-
Mathematics - Quantitative & algebraic problem solving.
-
Social Studies - Civics and government, U.S. history, economics, geography and the world.
-
Science - Life science, physical science, earth and space science.
Where do I enrol for the GED course in South Africa?
VTC House is affiliated with Pass GED Academy. Students enrol for GED Online with Pass GED Academy. All VTC House students will receive a discount from Pass GED Academy on enrollment. Click here for more information from Pass GED Academy.
How does VTC House prepare students to pass the GED Course?
Although the GED course can be done independently online, students often find they need motivation, accountability and 1-on-1 tuition to prepare them in achieving the best results. VTC House offers, in conjunction with the GED course, tutor lessons in each subject, either as extra lessons online or at the campus.
We can also offer the added advantage of studying in our resource centre where students study together with an administrator assisting them and in addition attending tutor lessons in each subject. This has proved very beneficial for many of our students resulting in them succeeding in their goals.
How old does my child need to be to write the GED exam?
In order to take the GED test, you must be at least 17 years old. In our experience it is better to have a good grounding in the early years of high school, and then start GED when Grade 9 is completed.
How long will it take to finish the GED course?
It can take anything from 6 months to a year or more, depending on how many hours you work and whether you do one subject at a time or all together.
Any questions that have not been answered here, will be covered by our VTC House principal during your interview meeting with her so don't hesitate to ask any questions that you might have to her, during that meeting.
We look forward to meeting you and your child.