THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

The NQF is a set of principles and guidelines by which records of learner achievement are registered to enable national recognition of acquired skills and knowledge, thereby ensuring an integrated system that encourages lifelong learning.

The NQF consist of 10 levels divided into three bands; Levels 1 to 4 equate to high school grades 9 to 12 or vocational training, 5 to 7 are college diplomas and technical qualifications, 7 to 10 are university degrees.

Levels Designation

1 Grade 9

2 Grade 10 and National (vocational) Certificates level 2

3 Grade 11 and National (vocational) Certificates level 3

4 Grade 12 (National Senior Certificate) and National (vocational) Cert. level 4

5 Higher Certificates and Advanced National (vocational) Cert.

6 National Diploma and Advanced certificates

7 Bachelor's degree, Advanced Diplomas, Post Graduate Certificate and B-tech

8 Honours degree, Post Graduate diploma and Professional Qualifications

9 Master's degree

10 Doctor's degree

A graph mapping out the National Qualification Frameworks (NQF) and how they relate to different educational options within the South African educational system in 2017.