Aliu AmaneshYouth unemployment in South Africa hit 62.20 percent in the second quarter of 2025 for those aged 15 to 34. That number is not just a statistic—it represents thousands of young people sitting at home, watching opportunities pass them by. Higher education remains one of the few proven ways out of this cycle, but the cost barrier keeps most students locked out.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme exists to change that equation. It is designed to fund students who would otherwise never set foot in a lecture hall or register for a single course. For 2025, the rules are straightforward: you need to be a South African citizen with a household income below R350,000 annually. If your family receives a SASSA grant, you automatically qualify.
The University of South Africa operates differently from traditional universities. There are no sprawling campuses or lecture theatres filled with hundreds of students. UNISA pioneered distance learning in Africa, and its model means a student in rural KwaZulu-Natal has the same access to quality education as someone living in Johannesburg. That access matters when you cannot afford to relocate.
But getting the funding is only half the battle. Keeping it requires discipline. NSFAS introduced a strict rule for 2025: returning students must pass at least 60 percent of their course credits to remain eligible for continued funding. Miss that mark, and the money stops. It is a performance contract, not a handout.
The courses listed here are not random selections. They align with what the Department of Higher Education identifies as scarce skills—fields where South Africa desperately needs qualified professionals. These are areas where graduates actually find work.
1. Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting (98302)
South Africa has a chronic shortage of qualified accountants. Walk into any corporate office and ask the finance director about hiring challenges—accounting professionals are always near the top of the list. The Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting addresses this gap directly.
This is a three-year degree at NQF Level 7. The curriculum was updated in 2020 and covers financial accounting, auditing, management accounting, and taxation. NSFAS covers full tuition and learning materials.
The real draw here is the salary potential. Newly qualified chartered accountants start around R550,000 annually. Senior roles push past R1 million. But getting there requires commitment. After completing the degree, you still need to complete articles and professional exams to become a chartered accountant with SAICA. That is another three years minimum.
What makes this course valuable is its versatility. Every business needs accountants. Every government department has financial managers. You are not locking yourself into a narrow field. The skills transfer across industries, and the shortage of qualified professionals means job security is better than most other fields.
2. Bachelor of Science in Computing (98906)
Technology is no longer optional for businesses—it is infrastructure. Data scientists, artificial intelligence specialists, and cybersecurity experts are in short supply, and that gap is widening as South Africa tries to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Bachelor of Science in Computing is a three-year NQF Level 7 degree. It is not a light programme. You will cover propositional logic, linear algebra, finite state machines, and computational complexity. This is the mathematical foundation needed for advanced tech roles, not just basic programming.
NSFAS covers full tuition and materials. Given the cost of technical resources and specialized software, that coverage matters more here than in some other fields.
Graduates move into roles like data scientist, IT security analyst, and software developer. The banking sector is hiring aggressively. Retail companies need data analysts to understand customer behaviour. Government departments are finally investing in digital infrastructure and cyber defence.
The salary range is competitive, though it varies widely based on specialization and experience. Entry-level developers might start around R300,000, but specialists in cybersecurity or AI can command significantly more within a few years.
3. Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET Teaching (90104)
South Africa needs teachers. That statement has been true for decades and will remain true for decades more. The shortage is particularly acute in high schools and in specialized subjects like mathematics, physical sciences, and languages.
The Bachelor of Education for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training is a four-year NQF Level 7 qualification. You choose specific subject combinations during registration—options include languages or agricultural technology, among others. The programme includes mandatory teaching practice: five weeks annually. You also need to register with the South African Council for Educators from your first year.
Admission is competitive. You need a minimum APS of 23, which is higher than many other programmes on this list.
NSFAS covers tuition and materials. If you register for the full 480 credits annually, you may also qualify for the incidental allowance.
Teaching does not offer the highest salaries compared to fields like accounting or technology. But it offers something else: stability. Public school positions come with government employment contracts, pension benefits, and job security that private sector roles rarely match. You are also doing work that matters, even if that sounds idealistic. A good teacher changes lives. The impact is measurable—just harder to quantify on a spreadsheet.
4. Bachelor of Laws (98680)
The legal profession in South Africa maintains high barriers to entry, but once you are in, the opportunities are significant. The Bachelor of Laws is an NQF Level 8 professional degree that takes a minimum of four years to complete. UNISA allows up to ten years maximum to finish, which gives working students flexibility.
The degree requires 40 modules totaling 480 credits. You need a minimum APS of 20 for admission.
NSFAS provides full coverage for tuition across all four years, but you need to maintain that 60 percent pass rate each year. Slip once and the funding stops, which is particularly painful in a four-year programme.
Career paths include attorney, advocate, legal advisor, public prosecutor, or corporate compliance officer. Compliance roles have grown significantly as regulations tighten. Companies need people who understand the legal framework around labour law, financial regulations, and corporate governance.
The earning potential is strong, especially in compliance management and corporate law. But you should know that completing the degree is only the first step. If you want to practice as an attorney, you still need to complete articles and pass the board exams. Becoming an advocate requires additional study and pupillage.
5. Diploma in Information Technology (98806)
Not everyone needs a degree. Sometimes a diploma gets you into the workforce faster with practical skills that employers actually need. The Diploma in Information Technology is a three-year NQF Level 6 qualification focused on applied competencies: networking, programming, and technical support.
The entry requirement is an APS of 18, which is lower than the degree programme. That accessibility matters for students whose matric results were decent but not outstanding.
NSFAS covers tuition and learning materials completely.
Graduates work as web developers, IT technicians, and desktop support staff. The average salary for desktop support is around R268,659 annually. That might sound modest compared to data scientists, but you are entering the workforce three years earlier and gaining practical experience while degree students are still studying theory.
The diploma also offers articulation pathways. Perform well and you can move into an advanced diploma or even a degree programme later. You are not closing doors—you are just choosing a different entry point.
6. Diploma in Safety Management (90107)
Construction sites, factories, and mines all need safety officers. It is not glamorous work, but it is essential. Workplace accidents cost companies money and cost workers their health or lives. Safety management professionalizes risk mitigation and ensures compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
The Diploma in Safety Management is a three-year NQF Level 6 qualification. You study risk assessment methodologies, OHS legislation, and environmental safety management. The minimum APS requirement is 17.
NSFAS provides full funding, which is important because this qualification opens doors in sectors experiencing growth due to government infrastructure projects.
Graduates become safety officers, OHS managers, and risk assessors. These roles are particularly in demand in construction, mining, and manufacturing. As government pushes infrastructure development, the need for qualified safety professionals grows.
Salaries vary by sector and experience, but the work is steady. Companies cannot operate without meeting safety standards, which means they cannot operate without safety officers.
7. Diploma in Human Resource Management (98211)
Every organization needs someone managing its people. Human resources is not just about hiring and firing—it covers labour relations, staff development, performance management, and compliance with employment legislation.
The Diploma in Human Resource Management is a three-year NQF Level 6 qualification. It prepares you for registration with the South African Board for People Practitioners as a Human Resource Associate. That professional registration carries weight when applying for jobs.
You need a minimum APS of 17. NSFAS covers full tuition.
Graduates work as HR administrators, HR practitioners, and recruitment specialists. The salary range for entry-level positions is modest, but there is a clear pathway to senior management. A Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources offers higher earning potential later if you choose to continue studying.
What makes HR valuable is its universality. Every sector needs human resource professionals. You can work in government, private companies, non-profits, or start your own recruitment consultancy. The skills transfer across industries.
8. Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management (98055)
Climate change is not a future problem—it is a current crisis. South Africa faces water scarcity, energy instability, and environmental degradation. The green economy is expanding rapidly, and it needs qualified professionals who understand both environmental science and policy implementation.
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management is a three-year NQF Level 7 degree. You study resource management, climate policy, and environmental impact assessment. You need a National Senior Certificate with a degree endorsement for admission.
NSFAS covers full tuition.
Graduates work as sustainability officers, policy analysts, and environmental consultants. Environmental consultants earn an average salary around R204,896. Employment opportunities exist in government departments, non-governmental organizations, and private consulting firms.
The field is growing. Renewable energy projects need environmental assessments. Mining companies need environmental compliance officers. Urban planning requires sustainability experts. The demand for these skills will only increase as climate pressures intensify.
9. Diploma in Public Administration (98204)
Government efficiency affects everyone. When public administration works well, services get delivered. When it fails, communities suffer. The Diploma in Public Administration is designed to build capacity within the public sector by training professionals in the practical management skills required for government work.
This is a three-year NQF Level 6 diploma. You study public financial management, human resource management in the public sector, and project management. Standard diploma entry requirements apply.
NSFAS provides full tuition coverage.
Graduates work as administrative officers (average salary around R213,079), project managers, and public procurement specialists. These positions exist across local, provincial, and national government, as well as in state-owned enterprises.
The work is not always exciting, but it is important. Effective public administration is what stands between policy decisions and actual service delivery. Someone needs to manage budgets, oversee projects, and ensure government departments function properly.
10. Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences (98201)
This one-year NQF Level 5 qualification deserves special attention because it serves a specific purpose: giving students a second chance. If your matric results were not strong enough for direct entry into a degree programme, the Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences offers a fully funded pathway to get there.
The programme covers 120 credits in one year. You study foundational bookkeeping, basic taxation, costing, and computer literacy. The entry requirement is an APS of only 14—the lowest on this list.
NSFAS covers full tuition and learning materials. Critically, NSFAS funds a student’s first certificate qualification, which makes this a strategic starting point.
The immediate career outcomes are modest. You can work in basic administrative or bookkeeping roles. But the real value is what comes next. Complete the certificate successfully and you can articulate into a diploma or bachelor’s degree in accounting sciences. You are building the foundation for higher qualifications.
For students from disadvantaged backgrounds whose matric results did not reflect their potential, this certificate is a lifeline. It creates access where none existed before.
Conclusion
Receiving NSFAS funding is not the end—it is the beginning. The 60 percent pass rate requirement is not negotiable. Fall below that threshold and your funding stops. For some students, especially those juggling work or family responsibilities, maintaining that pass rate while carrying ten modules for the incidental allowance becomes impossible.
Be realistic about what you can handle. Registering for more modules than you can manage just to access the monthly stipend is a gamble. If you fail too many courses, you lose everything.
Plan your budget carefully. The incidental allowance of roughly R300 per month is not enough to live on. You need another income source or family support. There is no accommodation allowance. There is no transport allowance. The funding covers your studies, not your living expenses.
Treat the funding like the performance contract it is. The government is investing in your education with the expectation that you will succeed. That expectation comes with consequences if you do not hold up your end.
These ten courses represent real pathways out of unemployment and into careers where South Africa needs skilled professionals. The funding is available. The qualifications are recognized. What happens next depends on whether students treat this opportunity seriously or squander it.