Undergraduate qualifications

Education interest fields

How do my career interests link with this field?

Read the statements below and select the statements that apply to you. The more statements that apply, the stronger your interest in this career field.

Education
(main motivation: inspiring learning)

    • working with the development of children
    • working with learners with special needs (inclusive education)
    • teaching children
    • teaching adults
    • upgrading my current teaching qualification
    • assessing, testing and referring learners

    The College of Education addresses the needs of learners, schools, communities, national and provincial education departments for well-qualified and excellent teachers. It is a recognised centre of excellence internationally for teaching, research and community engagement that focuses on the initial preparation of teachers and the continuous professional teacher development in: Mathematics, Science, Technology, and Environmental Education, Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Education, Adult Continuing Community Education, Language Education, and other subjects designated as national priorities.

    Currently, the College is responsible for the initial professional education and training of close to 50% of all teachers in South Africa.

    Education qualifications and related job titles

    Undergraduate Qualifications

    Qualifications

    Related Job titles

    • Higher Certificate in Education

    Access to Bachelor of Education

    • Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
    • Diploma in Adult Community Education and Training (pending SAQA ID
    • Educator (teacher) for babies, toddlers, young children (pre-Grade R)
    • Adult and community educator
    • Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase Teaching
    • Bachelor of Education Intermediate Phase Teaching
    • Bachelor of Education Senior Phase & Further Education and Training Teaching
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Phase specialist (eg. Foundation phase)
      • Subject specialist eg. Mathematics)
      • Specialist role (eg. Sport coach, Music teacher)
    • Postgraduate Certificate in Education Senior Phase & Further Education and Training Teaching
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Phase specialist (eg. Senior phase)
      • Subject specialist (eg. Mathematics)
      • Specialist role (eg. Sport coach, Music teacher)
    • Advanced Certificate in Intermediate Phase Mathematics and English First Additional Language Teaching
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Subject specialist (eg. Mathematics)

    Already qualified teachers to specialise in another discipline or role (Reskilling)

    Developing a new teaching specialisation phase or subject

    • Advanced Diploma in Intermediate Phase Mathematics Teaching
    • Advanced Diploma in Teaching, Learning Care & Support
    • Advanced Diploma in Adult Community Education and Training (pending SAQA ID)
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Subject specialist (eg. Mathematics)

     Already qualified teachers to improve on an already obtained discipline or role (Upskilling)

    Developing a new role or further specialisation in the new teaching specialisation/ subject developed in the Advanced Certificate

    Honours and postgraduate diplomas

    • Bachelor of Education Honours
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Subject specialist (eg. Mathematics)
      • Specialist role (eg. Learning support educator)
    • School management (eg. HoD)

     Further academic studies in a specific discipline or role.

    • Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive Education
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology of Education
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning Care and Support
    • Postgraduate Diploma in Language Education
    • Educator (teacher)
      • Subject specialist (eg. Mathematics)
    • School management (eg. HoD)

    Specialising further in the initial qualification or specialising further in the new role or further specialisation in the new teaching specialisation/subject developed in the Advanced Diploma.

    Possible career opportunities (depending on specialisation and level of qualification)

    The education field offers a range of career options. Click on the career fields below to read more about each field, possible job titles and work environments.

    Careers marked with an * are listed on the National List of Occupations in High Demand: 2024.

    This information is a starting point for exploring options related to specific career fields. Be sure to expand your research by downloading our Career Research document and exploring additional resources.

    • Adult and community educator
    • Assessor and/or moderator
    • Au pair
    • Childcare centre manager
    • College principal *
    • Curriculum specialist
    • Departmental head *
    • District education manager
    • District official
    • Educational registrar *
    • Early childhood development practitioner  *
    • Education or training advisor *
    • Education or training reviewer *
    • Education administrator
    • Education consultant
    • English as a Second Language teacher
    • English conversation instructor
    • English language teacher
    • E-learning developer
    • E-learning facilitator
    • Evaluation practitioner
    • Faculty head *
    • Foundation phase school teacher *
    • FET college principal
    • FET phase school teacher *
    • Instructional designer
    • Intermediate phase school teacher *
    • Learning and development manager
    • Learning support practitioner (eg counsellor/remedial)
    • Lecturer *
    • Prescribed book writer and editor
    • Programme coordinator
    • Quality assurance specialist
    • School principal  *
    • Senior phase school teacher *
    • Skills development facilitator
    • Skills development practitioner
    • Sports coach
    • Teacher education programme specialist
    • Textbook and instructional materials sales rep
    • TVET educator 
    • Training and development manager
    • Training and development practitioner (ETDP)
    • Training facilitator
    • Tutor *
    • Youth development practitioner

    Possible work environments related to education

    • Preschool/ creche
    • Public school
    • Private school
    • LSEN school
    • Non-governmental organisation (NGO)
    • Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (TVET)
    • Adult and Community Education and training centre
    • Government
    • Own business

    Find out more about careers in this field

    Further career information