The Framework for National Qualifications
The NQF is a framework, which means it establishes the boundaries, principles, and rules that give a vision, philosophical foundation, and organizational structure for the development of a credentials system. Within these parameters, detailed development and execution take place. This framework encompasses all education and training in South Africa.
It is national because it is a national endeavor to integrate education and training into a single structure of recognized qualifications. It is a qualification system, which includes records of student successes.
The NQF is a set of principles and standards that govern the registration of records of learner accomplishment in order to enable national recognition of acquired skills and knowledge, providing an integrated system that promotes lifelong learning.
The NQF is organized into three bands of ten levels; levels 1 to 4 correspond to high school grades 9 to 12 or vocational training, levels 5 to 7 are college diplomas and technical credentials, and levels 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 |
What is the level of a diploma?
Level 5. Diploma of higher education (DipHE) foundation degree are Level 5 credentials.
Matrix is what NQF level?
A NQF level 4 qualification is a matric certificate qualification. By passing your matric final exams, you could get your matric certificate. If you are unable to complete your matriculation, there are national and FET diplomas that are equal.
What is the highest level of NQF?
The highest NQF level is level 10, which corresponds to a Doctorate Degree. Do you earn your doctoral degree and have reached the highest NQF level after completing your doctorate program?
