Job adverts in South Africa often state requirements such as "an NQF level 6 qualification" or "Grade 12 or equivalent (NQF 4)". These refer to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the system that places every registered qualification on one of ten levels so that different qualifications can be compared. The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) oversees the framework.
The ten NQF levels at a glance
- NQF 1 — Grade 9, or the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC), including adult (ABET) equivalents.
- NQF 2 — Grade 10, or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 2.
- NQF 3 — Grade 11, or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 3.
- NQF 4 — Grade 12: the National Senior Certificate (matric), or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4.
- NQF 5 — Higher Certificate.
- NQF 6 — Diploma, or Advanced Certificate.
- NQF 7 — Bachelor's degree, or Advanced Diploma.
- NQF 8 — Honours degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or a professional bachelor's degree such as some four-year degrees.
- NQF 9 — Master's degree.
- NQF 10 — Doctoral degree (PhD).
Occupational qualifications, such as trade qualifications and many learnership qualifications, are also registered on the framework at specific levels.
Reading qualification requirements in adverts
When an advert asks for a qualification "at NQF level 6", it means a qualification registered at level 6 or, usually, higher. It will often add a field, as in "a National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management". Both the level and the field matter.
Some common phrasings:
- "Grade 12 or equivalent" — the National Senior Certificate, the NC(V) Level 4, or another NQF 4 qualification such as an older Senior Certificate.
- "Relevant three-year qualification" — usually a three-year diploma (NQF 6) or bachelor's degree (NQF 7) in the field named.
- "Degree or equivalent" — typically NQF 7, with some flexibility for a relevant advanced diploma.
- "Recognition of prior learning (RPL)" — some employers recognise skills gained through experience. If an advert mentions RPL, it says so explicitly.
Foreign qualifications
If you studied outside South Africa, employers may ask for a SAQA evaluation of your qualification, which states its comparable NQF level. Apply for it early: evaluations take time, and some adverts require the certificate at application or appointment.
Check that your qualification is registered
Before enrolling at a private college, check that the institution is registered and that the qualification is accredited. A certificate from an unregistered provider may not be recognised by employers, no matter how much you paid for it. Public universities, TVET colleges and registered private providers can be checked through the relevant regulators, including SAQA's records.
Experience still counts
A qualification at the right level gets you through the first filter, but most adverts also require a number of years' relevant experience. Our guides on writing a CV and learnerships and internships cover ways to show and build that experience.