About the Post Matric Programme
Somerset West Private School’s Post Matric course offers students the opportunity to take a constructive gap year whilst improving their matric results.
For the past 22 years, Somerset West Private school has offered a unique Post Matric bridging course. Applicants tend to apply chiefly for Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Post Matrics can choose to apply for any subject they wish, at their discretion and according to their individual goals.
Universities from all over South Africa refer students to us.
We create a focused, disciplined environment; updates and results are provided on a weekly basis to ensure a quality service is provided through attentive, individualised attention.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Why do a Post Matric?
Subjects offered
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Mathematical Literacy
Accounting
Business Studies
Consumer Studies
History
Geography
Computer Applications Technology
English
Afrikaans
Information Technology
Engineering Graphics and Design
What's New?
We are proud to introduce two new additions to the Post Matric course:
The Advanced Programmes are designed to develop independent and critical thinking skills, thus preparing students for university study.
These courses are quality assured by Umalusi and successful learners receive a certificate issued by the IEB. The APs in Mathematics have been benchmarked by UK NARIC and are considered comparable in demand to the UK A-levels.
The key purpose of the Advanced Programme courses in Mathematics is to prepare learners for tertiary study.
In Mathematics, the preparation is in the form of exposure to concepts and branches of Mathematics that are part and parcel of first year university Mathematics and Mathematics-related courses. The emphasis is on subject content and giving learners a fundamental understanding of advanced Mathematical concepts.
This programme is aimed towards lending hands-on support and guidance through exposure to the Mathematics syllabus at First Year University level.
Personalised attention and constant facilitation of the learning process means that candidates are studying at tertiary level with the benefit of small classes and greater support.
Post-Matric Testimonials
I want to thank SWPS for giving me the opportunity
At the beginning of 2017 I started my year at SWPS to increase my marks to meet the requirements to study Bsc Food science at the University of Stellenbosch.
I enjoyed the experience with the help of my fellow students and teachers with not one dull moment throughout the year. I want to thank SWPS for giving me the opportunity to improve my marks and showing me a new perspective on life .
SWPS gave me the opportunity to fufill my dream and to begin my journey to becoming a food scientist.SWPS encourages hard work and dedication which in the end proves to deliver.
Thank you ever so much
I am truly grateful towards Somerset west private school as they have afforded me the opportunity to upgrade my marks throughout 2017. I believe that their unique teaching methods and weekly tests are the main reason for the success of the school, as well as the outstanding marks achieved by its learners.
I would therefore like to take this time to express my complete gratitude and respect for the school, the teachers and most importantly, Morné Coetzer. Thank you ever so much for making my university acceptance possible.
2017 was an unbelievable academic year
2017 was an unbelievable academic year and I have SWPS to thank for this. The school and staff were the catalysts I needed to be able to achieve the best academic results possible.
The enthusiasm displayed by the teachers leads to an instantaneous improvement in my motivation to work harder during the year. The school facilitated a deeper understanding of Maths and Science as we were encouraged to learn through self-investigation and not to ‘’parrot’’ the work. A positive learning environment ensured that we always felt encouraged to participate in lessons and in the learning process itself.
I want to thank the school and staff for giving me the tools I need to achieve my academic goals, such that I am now equipped to pursue my chosen degree and, ultimately, the career of my dreams.
Te danke aan die goeie onderwysers
Ek het in 2016 matriek geskryf en my wiskunde en skeinat punte was nie van so ‘n standaard dat ek kon gaan studeer het nie.
Ek het van SWPS gehoor en besluit om my punte daar te gaan probeer verbeter. Ek het altyd opgesien na wiskunde in skool en ek sou nooit gedink het dat ek ‘n onderskeiding daarin sou kry nie, tot en met ek klaar gemaak het by SWPS. Te danke aan die goeie onderwysers en die metodes wat hulle gebruik kon ek my volle potensiaal bereik.
During my time in SWPS I learnt so much
When I first arrived at Somerset West Private School, my main goal was to improve my matric marks for Mathematical Literacy, Accounting and Business Studies which I did.
During my time in SWPS I learnt so much. My teachers are incredible people who constantly motivated me and encouraged me to do better.
Frankly speaking, I did so well in all three subjects that I couldn’t believe that I was capable of earning such good marks.
Not only did I do so well in SWPS but I learnt a lot about myself, for example, I learnt that with motivation and a good mindset I can reach my full potential which I believe I did.
In October I received academic awards for Mathematical Literacy with a distinction of 83% and Business Studies.
They have motivated me to reach my full potential
Somerset West Private School has provided me with an excellent opportunity to improve my Mathematics and Physical Science marks.
They have motivated me to reach my full potential, by setting goals and working towards them. This was only made possible by the dedicated staff of Somerset West Private School, who are always prepared to walk that extra mile with you.
I am privileged to have this opportunity of doing a Post Matric at Somerset West Private School, as they encourage you to work hard and follow your dream.
They allowed me to find myself
I came to Somerset West Private School to improve my matric marks and do a post matric year. They allowed me to find myself and that allowed me to thrive in my post matric subjects.
I now have a plan for next year and got accepted at a University. I thank my teacher and SWPS for all their hard work in helping me succeed.
My experience here was great.
I came to Somerset West Private School to re-do my Physical Sciences because I want to study BSC in Viticulture and Oenology, but unfortunately, I did not meet the minimum requirements.
My experience here was great. I got a lot of support from the school and that motivates me to do better. Someday I would like to make my own wine or beer.
I really enjoyed my experience at Somerset West Private School
I really enjoyed my experience at Somerset West Private School. The discipline is really good. The teachers have motivated me to do my best and have pushed me to the limits.
I was accepted at the University of Pretoria, but decided to rather move to Somerset West to study and to occupy my time and improve my Maths and Science marks.
I applied at Somerset West Private School with a Maths average of 68% and a Physical Science average of also 68%. I am currently acing my subjects with an average of 91% for Maths and 90% for Physical Science.
I plan on studying Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University in 2017. I really am so grateful for my time at Somerset West Private School and I would definitely recommend this post matric course to everyone.
My experience at SWPS has been positive and incredibly wonderful
I started at SWPS early this year in February. The reason I decided to attend the post matric course was so that I could improve my marks in Maths and Science. The reason for wanting to improve my marks was so that I can study the degrees that I have dreamed of doing for years. My main degree that I want to study is a degree in Emergency Medicine so that I can take a step towards becoming a Trauma Surgeon. My other degrees of choice are Biotechnology, Physiotherapy and Generics.
My experience at SWPS has been positive and incredibly wonderful. The teachers are helpful and always willing to help you achieve your goals. They have incredible faith and push you to reach your full potential. I highly recommend doing this course before going straight to university. I feel it prepares you and ensures that you can make it through university. This was truly a positive experience for me.
SWPS taught me how far hard work can take you
I came to SWPS to do matric Maths, re-do Accounting and take History to replace my IT mark. Although my experience was not always enjoyable, SWPS taught me how far hard work can take you. So far I achieved an A for Accounting, improving from 45%, an A for History replacing a 37% IT mark and a Maths mark good enough to get into the course I chose.
My plans for the future are to study Accounting at Stellenbosch University and complete my masters (CS) thereafter to work overseas.
I quickly realised that this school does things differently
One rarely hears someone speak fondly of Maths and upon reflection, I have now realised why so many find it challenging and uninviting. The CAPS syllabus is a crowded mixture of Standard Grade Mathematics, as well as Higher Grade Mathematics. The latter daunting for most and, in my experience, there is in sufficient time in the year for learners to truly grasp its complexities. This leads to extreme frustration and a negative attitude regarding Maths. Something that I believe is extremely detrimental to your performance in this subject.
Being a post-matric learner at SWPS, I quickly realised that this school does things differently. NO time is wasted when it comes to making sure that the learners understand the Maths and immense attention is paid to preparing matrics for their final exam. Such dedication to ensuring that learners do well is not something I’ve experienced before and even though I struggled a bit, in the beginning, to keep up to date with an entrepreneurship course I was taking part in, I gradually became more and more confident in my ability to do well in Maths, a feeling that has eluded me for a long time.
Maths can be your greatest enemy, but it does not have to be. It can also be a great ally. Much like life, Maths is what you make of it. SWPS will quickly show you a different side to this “dreaded subject” and soon you will find yourself conquering what you once thought was impossible.
FAQ
Can I do the Post Matric course while studying?
Although it is possible we do not recommend it. Learners who are doing a subject for the first time have a large workload.
I did not have Maths or Science in Grade 12; is it possible for me to take it now?
Yes. Learners are allowed to take 2 new subjects per year. Somerset West Private School will do Grade 10, 11 and 12 with you in one year.
Do I have to come in and attend class?
We offer certain subjects via correspondence. Please contact us to find out which options are available. Each learner receives a personalised timetable which they have to follow. Class times are usually from 08:40 – 13:00, depending on your subject choice.
Must I wear school uniform?
No. All students at Somerset West Private School are not required to wear school uniform. We do, however, expect our students to dress appropriately and look presentable.
How many subjects can I re-do?
You can redo and take as many new subjects as you like!
How do I know if I must register to repeat a subject or take the subject as a new subject?
If the subject you want to take is on your NSC matric certificate, then you must register to repeat the subject. If the subject is not on your matric certificate then you must register for the subject as a new subject.
Do I write the IEB or NSC exam?
Somerset West Private School follows the NSC.
When do I write my exam?
Learners write the NSC Examinations at the end of the year with the current year’s Grade 12 learners.
Where do I write?
Somerset West Private School is a registered NSC Examination centre so you will write at the school’s venue.
When do I get my results?
Results come out in January the following year.
Can I apply for my desired University course while doing my Post Matric?
Yes. Upon registration we will give you a letter from Somerset West Private School indicating that you are doing the Post Matric course through us and also listing your subjects. You can then submit your term 1, 2 and 3 reports to the University.