When O-Level results come out, the first question in most homes is the same: what happens next? There are two main roads. One is A-Level, and after it a degree. The other is a diploma or a certificate at a polytechnic or a college.
A degree in Zimbabwe is entered after A-Level, so O-Level results alone are not enough for one. Diplomas and certificates can usually be entered from O-Level, although each institution sets its own requirements. This guide lists the 15 diploma and certificate courses currently in the Unnect Pathfinder catalogue, with how long each takes and what it costs.
Engineering and trades
Technical courses are where polytechnics are strongest. These are the engineering and trades courses in the catalogue:
- National Certificate in Fabrication Engineering (Welding) at Bulawayo Polytechnic: 2 years, tuition of USD 4,270.
- National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering at Bulawayo Polytechnic: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,450.
- National Certificate in Electrical Power Engineering at Harare Polytechnic: 2 years, tuition of USD 4,750.
- National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering at Harare Polytechnic: 3 years, tuition of USD 5,050.
- National Certificate in Motor Mechanics at Harare Polytechnic: 2 years, tuition of USD 4,800.
- National Certificate in Plumbing and Drain Laying at Harare Polytechnic: 2 years, tuition of USD 4,800.
A certificate is the shorter route at 2 years. A diploma takes 3 years. Several students start with a certificate and go on to the diploma in the same field, but ask the institution how that works before you plan around it.
Business, computing and media
Harare Polytechnic also offers these courses:
- National Diploma in Accountancy: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,850.
- National Diploma in Information Technology: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,900.
- National Diploma in Mass Communication (Journalism): 3 years, tuition of USD 4,900.
- National Certificate in Professional Cookery: 2 years, tuition of USD 4,800.
The National Diploma in Information Technology publishes its entry requirements. It asks for Mathematics at grade C or better, at O-Level or A-Level. It also asks for one of Physics, Physical Sciences, Computer Science or Statistics at grade C or better. Check your own results against these before you apply.
Teaching, nursing and farming
- Diploma in Education (Primary), General course at Morgan ZINTEC College: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,700.
- Diploma in Education (Primary), Early Childhood Development at Morgan ZINTEC College: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,700.
- Diploma in General Nursing at Parirenyatwa School of Nursing: 3 years, tuition of USD 4,200.
- Diploma in Agriculture at Gwebi Agricultural College: 3 years, tuition of USD 5,350.
The catalogue also lists a Certificate in Basic Counselling Skills and Mental Health at Midlands State University. It does not yet show a length or a fee for that course, so ask the university.
What these figures are, and are not
Tuition for the courses above runs from USD 4,200 to USD 5,350 in the catalogue. Those figures are the catalogue's, not a quote. Fees change, and accommodation and living costs are separate, so confirm the current figure with the institution before you commit.
Many of these courses do not yet have published entry requirements in the catalogue. Where an institution has not published them, Unnect Pathfinder says so instead of guessing. Contact the admissions office for the full requirements.
How to choose
- Start from what you want to do, not from the fee. A certificate that leads to a trade you want is a better choice than a diploma you do not.
- Compare how long each course takes. Two years and three years are very different commitments.
- Check the entry requirements against your own grades, subject by subject.
- Ask whether a certificate can lead on to a diploma at the same institution.
To see which courses your own results qualify for, enter your grades on Unnect Pathfinder. No account is needed. You can also explore all programmes in the catalogue. Unnect Pathfinder is made by Unnect Holdings, a Harare company, and is built to show you what is still missing as well as what you can apply for today.
This article first appeared on Unnect Pathfinder. Unnect Pathfinder is a product of Unnect Holdings.
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