How to Earn More than R20K without a University Qualification

What if everything you thought about career success was wrong?

Pictured: A payslip of someone with no higher education.

You've been told that without a university degree, your options are limited. You've been told that hard work in low-paying jobs is just the way it is. But what if that's not the truth? What if, with just a few months of focused effort, you could unlock opportunities to a completely different career—one that pays more than R20,000 a month and gives you the freedom to live the life you've always wanted?

Imagine a career where you actually look forward to Monday mornings, where you wake up excited about your day ahead. Whether you're fresh out of matric, a graduate from a field outside of IT, or stuck in a job that feels like it's going nowhere, the opportunity to make a drastic change is within your reach. What if you could step into a career that not only challenges you but also pays you what you're worth?

It's easy to feel trapped, especially if you don't have a university degree. The world tells you that without higher education, your options are limited. But what if that's an outdated belief? The idea that you need years of schooling to earn a great salary is simply no longer true. You don't need to spend years in a classroom or go deep into student debt to build a successful, fulfilling career.

In fact, thousands of people just like you have made this shift—people who once felt stuck, working long hours in jobs that didn't challenge them or pay them enough. So, what's the secret? How did they escape low-paying work, and what did they do to start earning more than R20K a month?

The answer might surprise you. You don't need a traditional degree, and you don't need any experience in IT. You need skills—the kind of skills that employers are looking for today. And the best part is, you can learn these skills in just a few months.

Let's talk about what you really need to thrive in today's job market. More than degrees, employers are looking for people who can solve real-world problems, think critically, and apply practical, job-ready skills. They're searching for candidates who can make a difference from day one, not those who spent years studying theory. And that's where the opportunity lies for you.

So, how can YOU gain these in-demand skills quickly and without spending years in school?

What's Holding You Back?

If you're a recent matriculant, you might feel uncertain about your future, especially with the cost and time commitment of traditional university education. If you're a graduate from a different field, maybe you've realized that your degree hasn't led to the career you had hoped for. Or perhaps you're stuck in a job that doesn't pay enough and leaves you feeling unfulfilled. The truth is, none of these situations have to define your future.

There is a solution that is fast, affordable, and designed to transform your career in just a few months.

Imagine walking into a job interview, confident in your skills, knowing you're prepared to add value to any company from day one. Imagine not just settling for a paycheck, but earning the kind of salary that allows you to live the life you've always dreamed of.

The Opportunity You've Been Waiting For

The answer to unlocking this kind of future is something that's designed for people like you—those who want to take control of their careers without wasting time and money. It's an opportunity for recent matriculants to bypass years of university, for graduates from other fields to pivot into a career that truly pays, and for job seekers to break free from low-paying work.

The beauty of this solution is that it's accessible to anyone—even if you've never touched a computer beyond basic tasks, even if you've never considered yourself "tech-savvy." It's not about being an IT genius. It's about learning practical, in-demand skills that today's employers are actively searching for.

These skills will open doors to high-paying roles in industries you may not have considered, from design to marketing, from problem-solving to data analysis, and yes, even tech-related fields—but don't worry, you don't need to be an expert. You just need the right training.

Why This Approach Works

Here's why this opportunity works: it's focused, intensive, and designed with real-world needs in mind. Unlike university, where you spend years learning theory and waiting to apply your knowledge, this program gets you job-ready quickly. You'll skip the unnecessary fluff and dive straight into the practical skills that employers want today.

And we're not talking about a vague promise of "maybe" getting a job. We're talking about thousands of people who have already transformed their careers using this approach. People just like you—matriculants unsure of their next step, graduates who realized their degrees didn't lead to fulfilling careers, and individuals working low-paying jobs who were ready to make a change.

They made one simple decision to invest in themselves, and it paid off. After just a few months of training, they walked into interviews ready to earn R20K or more—many even landing jobs in industries they had never considered before. And the best part? They didn't need a university degree to do it.

Ready to Make the Leap?

Imagine, in just a few months, being one of those success stories. You don't need a background in IT, and you don't need years of experience. All you need is the willingness to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the chance to build a better future.

The choice is yours. You can continue down the same path, hoping that things will somehow change, or you can take control of your career and earn the life you've always dreamed of.

This opportunity is knocking. Are you ready to open the door?

The key to this opportunity is something called a bootcamp—an intensive, hands-on training program designed to take you from where you are now to job-ready in just a few months. Unlike traditional education, bootcamps are laser-focused on giving you the skills that employers are looking for right now.

Whether you've never touched a line of code or don't consider yourself "tech-savvy," a bootcamp can transform your career path. These programs are designed for beginners, so you don't need any prior experience. You'll learn everything you need to know through practical, real-world projects, gaining the confidence to step into a high-paying role.

Here's why bootcamps work:

1. Short and Focused: You won't spend years studying. In a matter of months, you'll be equipped with in-demand skills that lead to real jobs.

2. Job-Ready Skills: Bootcamps focus on practical skills, not just theory. You'll learn exactly what's needed to succeed in the workplace, whether it's in coding, design, marketing, or even business roles.

3. High Earning Potential: Many graduates land jobs earning more than R20K a month straight out of bootcamp. Some programs even offer job placement assistance or have partnerships with companies looking to hire.

4. Accessible: No university degree? No problem. Bootcamps are open to everyone, from matriculants to career changers. Some even offer payment plans or free options, so money doesn't have to be a barrier.

This isn't just an idea or a vague promise—it's a proven method that has helped thousands of people change their lives. A bootcamp could be the fastest way to take control of your future, break free from low-paying work, and start earning the kind of salary that allows you to live the life you want.

So, are you ready to make the leap? The opportunity is yours. Here are some of the top bootcamps in South Africa that can help you jumpstart your new career:

WeThinkCode_ – Visit Website
Location: Johannesburg & Cape Town
Duration: 2 years (full-time, with paid internships)
Focus Area: Software Engineering
Cost: Free (fully sponsored, with a commitment to work post-graduation)
Accreditation: Accredited, with a focus on job placement
Requirements: No prior coding experience required, must pass an aptitude test

Umuzi – Visit Website
Location: Fully Remote
Duration: 12 months (full courses)
Focus Area: Full-Stack Web Development, Data Science, Data Engineering, Java Systems, UI Design, UX Strategy, Copywriting, Business Analysis.
Cost: Free (fully sponsored, with a commitment to work post-graduation)
Accreditation: Accredited, with a focus on job placement
Requirements: No prior coding experience required, must pass an aptitude test

Capaciti Tech Career Accelerator – Visit Website
Location: Cape Town & Johannesburg
Duration: 3 - 6 months' theory training, followed by 6 months' practical training (programme dependent).
Focus Area: Computer Literacy, MS Office, Data & Office Administration, Front-End Web Development (HTML & CSS), Systems & Network Support, Software Development (JavaScript, Java, Python), Cloud Computing, Software Testing.
Cost: Free (fully sponsored, with a commitment to work post-graduation)
Accreditation: Accredited, with a focus on job placement
Requirements: No prior coding experience required, must pass an aptitude test

HyperionDev – Visit Website
Location: Online & Cape Town
Duration: 3-6 months (part-time and full-time options). Loan and funding options through Manati. Students can apply for a needs-based scholarship (37% off fees).
Focus Area: Software Development, Data Science, Web Development
Cost: R15,000 - R60,000 (varies by course and duration). Loan and funding options through Manati. Students can apply for a needs-based scholarship (37% off fees).
Accreditation: Accredited by the MICT SETA and aligned with global certifications
Requirements: No prior experience required, basic computer literacy recommended

GetSmarter (by 2U) – Visit Website
Location: Online
Duration: 6-10 weeks
Focus Area: Coding, Digital Marketing, Business, Finance, and more
Cost: Varies by program, typically R10,000 - R40,000
Accreditation: Partnered with leading universities worldwide (Harvard, UCT, MIT)
Requirements: Varies by course, basic knowledge of the subject may be required

The Data Science Academy – Visit Website
Location: (Cape Town & Johannesburg) or remote
Duration: 6 weeks - 12 months
Focus Area: Data Science, Data Engineering, various short course
Cost: R25,000 - R70,000. Students can also apply for a sponsored programme (12 months), and the EXPLORE Accelerator Income Share Agreement programme (9 months), where fees are paid back once you are employed.
Accreditation: Accredited by MICT SETA and aligned with international standards
Requirements: Basic understanding of mathematics and statistics

CodeSpace – Visit Website
Location: Cape Town & Online
Duration: 6 months (full-time)
Focus Area: Software Engineering, Web Development
Cost: R45,000 - R60,000. Various scholarships for underprivileged students are available, as well as a study loan option.
Accreditation: Accredited by MICT SETA
Requirements: No prior coding experience required

SkillUp – Visit Website
Location: Online
Duration: 3-6 months
Focus Area: IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Digital Marketing
Cost: Varies, typically R20,000 - R50,000
Accreditation: Offers globally recognized certifications from Microsoft, AWS, and others
Requirements: No prior experience needed

Moringa School – Visit Website
Location: Online & Johannesburg
Duration: 20 weeks (full-time), 32 weeks (part-time)
Focus Area: Software Development, Data Science
Cost: R30,000 - R50,000
Accreditation: Partnerships with leading tech companies for job placements
Requirements: No prior experience required, problem-solving mindset recommended

Published on: 13 October 2024