Self-Study
A cost effective option for learning at your own pace
How Self-Study Works
Self-study means you are responsible for preparing for your exams independently, without enrolling at a college. It’s like a “DIY” for getting a certification.
Usually, a college will provide you with tuition, materials or learning support. But you can choose to study independently without a college.
With self-study, you:
✔️ Save on college fees
✔️ Learn at your own pace
✔️ Manage your own study schedule
✔️ Register directly with ICB for exams
✔️ Find your own materials, tuition and support
Is self study a viable option? Read our blog here.
NB: ICB does not provide any study materials or tuition. We are an independent examination body, so we cannot give you any advice on what support materials to choose. We still strongly encourage students to study with an accredited college, but we understand that some students prefer a more affordable option.
📺 Watch: Different ways to study, including Self-Study (4min)
Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Study
Step 1: Register with the ICB
You need to register and get your PoE’s (Portfolios of Evidence).
🖥️ Register online via the ICB Learner Portal:
1️⃣ Sign up on the ICB Learner Portal
2️⃣ Pay the annual registration fee (R500)
3️⃣ Select subjects and book and pay for your final exam date (R915)
4️⃣ Receive your PoE (which contains your assignments and tests)
Step 2: Get the Course Curriculum
Download the following document which gives the curriculum (syllabus) for each subject: ICB Curriculum Statements
Once you have understood the learning requirements for your subject, you can decide how best to study.
Step 3: Decide what Learning Methods to use
To be successful in your exams, you will need to first obtain the knowledge and skills that are required for each subject.
There are various Ways of Learning :
- By reading (text books and other sources of information)
- By being taught (lectures, videos etc)
- By practice (doing practice examples)
- By sharing information with other students (study groups)
- By observing others
- By learning “on the job”
You can choose to use some or none of the above. Its basically your responsibility to decide how to obtain the skills needed to pass the ICB Assessments.
Step 4: Where to get study material?
- Purchase new textbooks with full course packs with online support from Edge Education
- Look for second-hand books through online marketplaces (try the ICB Student Support Facebook Group)
- Find online tutorials on Youtube
- Connect with subject experts for private mentorship
Step 5: Study & Exams
✅ Create a study plan
✅ Work through your chosen study material
✅ Complete practice exercises
✅ Complete your PoE (ICB Assignments and Tests)
✅ Write your final exam
What Does It Cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual ICB Registration | R500 |
| Exam per Subject | R915 |
| Study Materials | Varies (R100 – R3,400) |
