The main purpose of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is to ensure that each student gets the opportunity to enhance their personal development by moving from one NQF level to the next.
NQF levels play an important role in South Africa’s educational system; all education and training in South Africa fits within this framework.
The levels represent different types of academic achievements that can be obtained by a student. Essentially, the higher the NQF Level, the higher the qualification obtained.
NQF qualifications also guide learners in choosing the correct pathway to be able to work within their chosen career. They relay the skills required for a job area and how to get these skills.
Different bursaries have different eligibility requirements.
Most bursaries require the applicant to at least be in matric, or already have a matric certificate, and either plan on studying at a tertiary institution (a university or TVET college), or already be studying towards a tertiary education qualification at an institution.
The NQF level for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is level 4, usually reached once a learner has completed Grade 12.
General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Frameworks (Levels 1-4)
- Level 1 is a General Education Certificate (Grade 9)
- Level 2 is an Elementary Certificate (Grade 10)
- Level 3 is an Intermediate Certificate (Grade 11)
- NQF level 4 is the National Senior Certificate (Grade 12)
Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Frameworks (Levels 5-10)
- Level 5 is a Higher Certificate or Advanced National (vocational) Certificate.
- Level 6 is a National Diploma or an Advance Certificate
- NQF level 7 is a Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma
- Level 8 is an Honours Degree, Postgraduate Diploma and Professional Qualification
- Level 9 is a Master’s Degree
- Level 10 is a Doctoral Degree
