Certificates are vocational qualifications you can achieve after completing secondary school. These courses are study programmes that don't lead to degrees and are the cheapest option for post-secondary education with some online certificates being attainable for free.
Certificate courses are shorter than degrees, taking anywhere from around 30 minutes up to around 12 months to achieve. They typically focus on providing students with general knowledge of a particular subject, a certificate can also cover a small component of a subject that focuses on developing certain skills.
Students can gain certificates online or by attending a technical or vocational college. After completing a certificate, a student can usually pursue an entry-level role in the industry of their choice. Alternatively, they may decide to gain further certificates to boost their skills or pursue a diploma.