NQF Qualification Levels - South Africa
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a 10-level system that organises all South African qualifications. It is managed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and comprises three sub-frameworks: GFETQSF, OQSF, and HEQSF.
| Level | Qualification | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Certificate | Grade 9 (Senior Phase) |
| 2 | National Certificate Level 2 | Grade 10 equivalent; NC(V) Level 2 |
| 3 | National Certificate Level 3 | Grade 11 equivalent; NC(V) Level 3 |
| 4 | National Certificate Level 4 | National Senior Certificate (Matric); NC(V) Level 4 |
| 5 | Higher Certificate | Higher Certificate; Advanced National Certificate |
| 6 | National Diploma / Advanced Certificate | Diploma; Advanced Certificate |
| 7 | Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma | Bachelor's Degree; B-Tech; Advanced Diploma |
| 8 | Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma | Honours Degree; Postgraduate Diploma |
| 9 | Master's Degree | Master's Degree (by research or coursework) |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree | Doctorate (PhD, DPhil, DLitt) |
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is the comprehensive 10-level system that organises every recognised qualification in South Africa, from a basic General Certificate to a Doctoral Degree. The NQF is managed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and is built on three sub-frameworks that together cover schooling, vocational and trade qualifications, and higher education: the General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework (GFETQSF) administered by Umalusi, the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) administered by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), and the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) administered by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
This page presents all 10 NQF levels with their typical qualifications and recognised equivalents. Levels 1 to 4 cover schooling and foundational vocational qualifications, ending in the National Senior Certificate (Matric) or NC(V) Level 4 at NQF 4. Level 5 introduces the Higher Certificate, Level 6 covers the Diploma and Advanced Certificate, Level 7 the Bachelor’s Degree, B-Tech and Advanced Diploma, Level 8 the Honours Degree and Postgraduate Diploma, Level 9 the Master’s Degree, and Level 10 the Doctoral Degree.
Each NQF level page on the site lists the typical qualification types, minimum credits, articulation pathways into the next level, examples of registered qualifications, and the SAQA ID format used in the National Learners’ Records Database. You will also find links to occupational qualifications offered through SETAs and the QCTO, and to learnerships and skills programmes pegged at each level.
Use this directory to compare local and foreign qualifications, plan a study or career pathway, draft job adverts with the correct minimum NQF level, complete CIPC, SARS and B-BBEE skills development reporting, or verify the level of a qualification before recognising it for hiring or promotion. The NQF is the common language that connects South African education, training and the workplace.