Matriculation

Matriculation is the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements such as a matriculation examination.

Australia

Until the 1960s and 1970s, "matriculation", often shortened to "matric", was (as in other Commonwealth countries) the successful completion of Form 6 (Year 12), the extra year of high school after the 'Leaving' year, which was the last year which had a completion certificate. The matriculation exam was the prerequisite for entry into universities (other tertiary education institutions had other entrance requirements). Matriculation has generally been replaced with a "Higher School Certificate" or a completion certificate such as the 'Victorian Certificate educational

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, the shortened term "Matric" refers to the Secondary School Examination (SSC) taken at year 10, before Intermediate Exams taken in subsequent two years prior to university entry. Bangladesh like the rest of South Asia continued to use terms such as Matriculation Exams and Intermediate Exams taken from the days of the British Raj although these terms were replaced in England itself with O or Ordinary Level Examinations (now called GCSE) and A or Advanced Level Examinations respectively.

Matriculation in India

In India, "matriculation" (sometimes called "matric") is a term commonly used to refer to the final year of high school or secondary school certificate examination, which ends at tenth standard (tenth grade) and the qualification received on finishing the tenth standard (tenth grade) of high school and passing the or the state board exams, commonly called "matriculation exams". Most students who pass out of matriculation, or class 10, are 15-16 years old. Once the Matric year and exam have been passed, students are said to have "matriculated". After passing, a student may continue onto junior college (equivalent of British Sixth Form (16-18 years old)) for Intermediate Exams (equivalent to British A' or Advanced Level Examination). The 11th and 12th standards (grades) are usually referred to as "first year junior college" and "second year junior college", "Higher Secondary", or "Plus Two". Most students who pass out of class 12 are 17-18 years old.

India continued to use terms such as Matriculation Exams and Intermediate Exams taken from the days of the British Raj although these terms were replaced in England itself with 'O' or Ordinary Level Examinations (now called GCSE) and 'A' or Advanced Level Examinations post World War II. Specialising in 3 or 4 'A' level subjects for basis of entry to university; a system followed in many of the former British colonies unlike the American system which has a much broader range of subjects, but to a lower level, for entry to university. The American 1st year level at university is regarded as equivalent to the British 'A' Level. Consequently, American degrees are of longer duration and some (e.g. Medicine) are only done post graduation of first degree course.

Matriculation in South Africa

In South Africa, matriculation (or matric) is a term commonly used to refer to the final year of high school and the qualification received on graduating from high school, although strictly speaking, it refers to the minimum university entrance requirements. The first formal examination was conducted in South Africa under the University of the Cape of Good Hope in 1858.

In general usage, the school-leaving exams, which are government-administered, are known as the "matric exams"; by extension, students in the final year of high school (grade 12) are known as "matrics". (For example, "Only matrics can be prefects, not students in grade 11.") Once the Matric year has been passed, students are said to have "matriculated". (For example, "Thabo matriculated with 3 distinctions.") A 'normal pass' is given for an average mark 50%-59%, a pass with merit for 60% - 89%, and a distinction is given for an average of 90% or more.

Officially, the qualification obtained at the end of secondary schooling is the National Senior Certificate, and the school-leaving examinations are the "Senior Certificate Examinations". Students who fulfil certain requirements in their Senior Certificate results receive a Matriculation Endorsement on their certificates; this endorsement is the legal minimum requirement for admission to a bachelor's degree at any South African university. Students applying to a South African university with foreign school qualifications can obtain a "Matriculation Exemption" to show that they meet the same standards.