Education & recognition framework

Understand institutions, NQF levels and professional registration in South Africa.

This page connects study funding, qualification recognition and career pathways to the same national reference framework.

Compare university tuition costs over time → Build an occupation qualification pathway →

NQF explained

What the levels mean

South African National Qualifications Framework

NQF 1 Foundation/general education level

General education and training outcomes

GFETQSF, OQSF

NQF 2 Upper school / entry vocational level

Some occupational and vocational qualifications

GFETQSF, OQSF

NQF 3 Upper school / vocational progression level

Some occupational and vocational qualifications

GFETQSF, OQSF

NQF 4 School-leaving / senior vocational level

National Senior Certificate · National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4

GFETQSF, OQSF

NQF 5 First post-school higher/occupational level

Higher Certificate · some occupational qualifications

HEQSF, OQSF

NQF 6 Diploma-level study

Diploma · Advanced Certificate · some occupational qualifications

HEQSF, OQSF

NQF 7 Bachelor / advanced diploma level

Bachelor's Degree · Advanced Diploma

HEQSF, OQSF

NQF 8 Honours / postgraduate diploma / some professional bachelor level

Bachelor Honours Degree · Postgraduate Diploma · some professional Bachelor's Degrees

HEQSF, OQSF

NQF 9 Master's level

Master's Degree

HEQSF

NQF 10 Doctoral level

Doctoral Degree

HEQSF

What this basically means An NQF level tells you the level of learning, not whether you are personally registered to practise a profession. A foreign qualification may need SAQA evaluation, while a regulated profession may require a separate professional registration.

Three parts of the system

Qualification, provider and professional registration are different checks

1. Institution/provider

Check whether the university, TVET college or private provider is in the relevant official register or accreditation system.

2. Qualification/NQF

Check the qualification's NQF level, sub-framework and registration status.

3. Professional registration

For regulated professions, check the relevant statutory regulator or recognised professional body separately.

4. Foreign qualification recognition

SAQA evaluation can locate a foreign qualification in the South African NQF, but it does not itself grant a professional licence.

Public institutions

National master reference

Official DHET source base

Show all public universities (26)

Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT

Central University of Technology, Free StateCUT

Durban University of TechnologyDUT

Mangosuthu University of TechnologyMUT

Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU

North-West UniversityNWU

Rhodes UniversityRhodes

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU

Sol Plaatje UniversitySPU

Stellenbosch UniversitySU

Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT

University of Cape TownUCT

University of Fort HareUFH

University of JohannesburgUJ

University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN

University of LimpopoUL

University of MpumalangaUMP

University of PretoriaUP

University of South AfricaUNISA

University of the Free StateUFS

University of the Western CapeUWC

University of the WitwatersrandWits

Vaal University of TechnologyVUT

University of ZululandUNIZULU

Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU

University of VendaUNIVEN

Show all public TVET colleges (50)

Buffalo City TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Eastcape Midlands TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Ikhala TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Ingwe TVET CollegeEastern Cape

King Hintsa TVET CollegeEastern Cape

King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Lovedale TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Port Elizabeth TVET CollegeEastern Cape

Flavius Mareka TVET CollegeFree State

Goldfields TVET CollegeFree State

Maluti TVET CollegeFree State

Motheo TVET CollegeFree State

Central Johannesburg TVET CollegeGauteng

Ekurhuleni East TVET CollegeGauteng

Ekurhuleni West TVET CollegeGauteng

Sedibeng TVET CollegeGauteng

South West Gauteng TVET CollegeGauteng

Tshwane North TVET CollegeGauteng

Tshwane South TVET CollegeGauteng

Western TVET CollegeGauteng

Coastal KZN TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Elangeni TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Esayidi TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Majuba TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Mnambithi TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Mthashana TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Thekwini TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Umfolozi TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Umgungundlovu TVET CollegeKwaZulu-Natal

Capricorn TVET CollegeLimpopo

Lephalale TVET CollegeLimpopo

Letaba TVET CollegeLimpopo

Mopani South East TVET CollegeLimpopo

Sekhukhune TVET CollegeLimpopo

Vhembe TVET CollegeLimpopo

Waterberg TVET CollegeLimpopo

Ehlanzeni TVET CollegeMpumalanga

Gert Sibande TVET CollegeMpumalanga

Nkangala TVET CollegeMpumalanga

Northern Cape Rural TVET CollegeNorthern Cape

Northern Cape Urban TVET CollegeNorthern Cape

Orbit TVET CollegeNorth West

Taletso TVET CollegeNorth West

Vuselela TVET CollegeNorth West

Boland TVET CollegeWestern Cape

College of Cape TownWestern Cape

False Bay TVET CollegeWestern Cape

Northlink TVET CollegeWestern Cape

South Cape TVET CollegeWestern Cape

West Coast TVET CollegeWestern Cape

Private institutions PathLens links to the current DHET registers because private-institution registration can be qualification- and site-specific. The official register should be checked before enrolment.

Professional and regulatory bodies