By now you are aware that the Legacy Qualifications will be falling away and are being replaced with Occupational Courses in South Africa. 


All students who are  registered by 30 June 2026 on NQF qualifications have until 2029 to complete their current NQF qualifications. 


Background:

Like all Qualifications in South Africa, irrelevant of the study matter, all qualifications work in cycles and have a start date, an end date and a teach out phase. This is normal and a natural part of professional development.  Just as the seasons change, so do our educational journeys.  Each new cycle ensures updated curriculum.

ICB is a well respected body that has been in existence since 1931 and will continue to move with international trends and keep education completely relevant to the market at all times. 


What does this mean?

  • Your qualification will NEVER EVER be revoked, meaning it has lifelong validity. Once it is awarded, it is valid for life.
  • If  you have not yet completed any of your ICB NQF Qualifications, you have until 2029 to complete your outstanding subjects.




In summary, 


What does this mean for you as an existing ICB student?


1.  If you have already completed your studies and qualified, there are no changes for you.  Your qualification has lifelong validity and can never be revoked.  So your qualification, certificates and credits remain intact.


2. If you are an existing ICB student who registers with ICB prior to 30 June 2026, you still have a teach out period   in which to complete your studies.  The studies, timetable and fee's remain the same as usual and you can find the academic timetable and fee's on the website www.icb.org.za. You can continue your studies with your college or distance or self study. Any credits or part qualifications already earned remain in tact and are unaffected.  The last date of achievement for the NQF will be 2029.



4. For NEW students who want to sign up with ICB from 1 July 2026, these students will also do the same ICB course,     same fee's and academic timetable, just the endorsement will now come from IQB - A UK based External Examination Body www.iqb.org.uk. This will allow students to do single subjects with individual subject certificates or the full programme. It will not be credit bearing in South Africa but will allow "just in time" or "nugget" learning which is the new trend, but more importantly will provide international recognition. 




What does this mean for new students:


From the 1 July 2026, NEW students can still register with ICB and have the programmes endorsed with international recognition with a IQB -  A UK based External Examination Body. www.iqb.org.uk


This means all NEW students still get to benefit from quality education ICB offers in its courses and programmes.  The only difference is it won't be credit bearing on the South African Framework but students can now do singular subjects or the full programme.


ICB will issue subject certificates via IQB for each subject successfully passed, and if students complete a full programme they will receive a co-branded ICB and IQB programme certificate and a transcript of results.