NQF Levels Explained: What Each Level Means, from Level 1 to 10
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is South Africa’s system for ranking learning achievements on ten levels, from Level 1 (the end of Grade 9) to Level 10 (a doctoral degree). Every registered qualification carries an NQF level, which tells employers and learners how demanding it is and what the holder should be able to do. This guide explains each level, looks closely at NQF Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6, and shows how to check the level of any qualification.
What is the NQF?
The NQF is set out in the National Qualifications Framework Act of 2008 and is overseen by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). It brings school, college, university and workplace qualifications into one framework, so that a qualification earned in one part of the system can be compared with one earned in another.
The framework has three parts, each with its own quality council:
- General and further education and training: school and college qualifications from Level 1 to Level 4
- Higher education: university and college qualifications from Level 5 to Level 10
- Trades and occupations: occupational certificates and skills programmes from Level 1 to Level 8, overseen by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
The ten NQF levels at a glance
| NQF level | Typical qualifications |
|---|---|
| 1 | General Education and Training Certificate, Grade 9, ABET Level 4 |
| 2 | Elementary Certificate, Grade 10, NC(V) Level 2 |
| 3 | Intermediate Certificate, Grade 11, NC(V) Level 3 |
| 4 | National Senior Certificate (Matric), NC(V) Level 4 |
| 5 | Higher Certificate (120 credits) |
| 6 | Diploma, Advanced Certificate |
| 7 | Bachelor’s degree, Advanced Diploma |
| 8 | Honours degree, Postgraduate Diploma, professional four-year Bachelor’s degree |
| 9 | Master’s degree |
| 10 | Doctoral degree |
Occupational certificates sit alongside these qualifications at Levels 1 to 8. An occupational certificate at NQF Level 5, for example, is at the same level as a Higher Certificate but is built around a specific job rather than an academic field.
How NQF levels and credits work
Each level has a level descriptor: a statement of the knowledge, problem-solving, judgement and independence expected at that level. The higher the level, the more complex the problems and the less supervision the holder needs.
The size of a qualification is measured in credits. One credit stands for about ten notional hours of learning, which includes classes, self-study, assessments and, for occupational qualifications, workplace practice. A Higher Certificate at Level 5 is 120 credits, about 1,200 notional hours. The level tells you how demanding the learning is; the credits tell you how much of it there is.
NQF Levels 1 and 2
NQF Level 1 is the level of Grade 9 and the General Education and Training Certificate, including ABET Level 4 for adult learners. Level 2 is the level of Grade 10, the Elementary Certificate and the NC(V) Level 2. Occupational qualifications at these levels cover entry-level work with clear instructions and close supervision.
NQF Level 3
NQF Level 3 is the level of Grade 11, the Intermediate Certificate and the NC(V) Level 3. In the workplace, Level 3 occupational certificates prepare people for skilled routine work, such as clerical, dispatch or sales support roles, where they follow set procedures and solve familiar problems.
NQF Level 4
NQF Level 4 is the level of the National Senior Certificate (Matric) and the NC(V) Level 4. It is the usual entry requirement for higher education and for most Level 5 qualifications. Level 4 occupational certificates suit supervisors and experienced staff who apply a wide range of procedures and take responsibility for their own work and some of the work of others.
NQF Level 5
NQF Level 5 is the first level above Matric and the first level of higher education. The best-known Level 5 qualification is the Higher Certificate, a 120-credit qualification usually completed in one year of full-time study. Occupational certificates at Level 5 cover roles such as office administrator, management assistant, office supervisor and project manager.
At Level 5, a learner is expected to:
- Understand the main ideas, methods and terms of a field or occupation
- Solve problems that are not entirely routine, using information they find and judge for themselves
- Communicate clearly in writing and in person, in the form their work requires
- Work with limited supervision and take responsibility for their own results
The entry requirement for a Level 5 qualification is usually a National Senior Certificate or another NQF Level 4 qualification. Each qualification sets its own rules, so check the course page before you enrol. A Higher Certificate can also give access to further study at Level 6, subject to the entry rules of the institution and programme.
NQF Level 5 qualifications at BOTI
BOTI is accredited to offer the following NQF Level 5 qualifications to employers and their staff:
- Occupational Certificate: Quality Assurer (SAQA ID 118769, part-qualification)
- National Certificate: Generic Management (SAQA ID 59201)
- Occupational Certificate: Office Administrator (SAQA ID 102161)
- Occupational Certificate: Management Assistant (SAQA ID 101876)
- Occupational Certificate: Office Supervisor (SAQA ID 118740)
- Occupational Certificate: Project Manager (SAQA ID 101869)
- Occupational Certificate: Retail Chain Store Manager (SAQA ID 103150)
The last five of these are in their teach-out period: the last date to enrol is the end of December 2026, and learners who enrol in time have until December 2029 to complete. Enrolment for the Quality Assurer part-qualification is open until February 2028 and for Generic Management until June 2028. The full list of BOTI’s accredited qualifications and skills programmes, with their levels and dates, is on the qualifications page.
NQF Level 6
NQF Level 6 is the level of the Diploma and the Advanced Certificate. Learners at Level 6 work with abstract ideas, analyse complex problems and take responsibility for the work of others. A diploma is 240 or 360 credits, about two or three years of full-time study, while an Advanced Certificate is 120 credits.
NQF Levels 7 to 10
Levels 7 to 10 are the higher levels of the framework. Level 7 is the level of a Bachelor’s degree and an Advanced Diploma; Level 8 covers Honours degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and professional four-year Bachelor’s degrees; Level 9 is a Master’s degree; and Level 10, the highest level, is a doctoral degree. At these levels learners are expected to work independently, apply theory critically and, at Levels 9 and 10, produce original research.
Why NQF levels matter at work
Employers use NQF levels in several everyday ways:
- Job adverts and job grading: a post may call for “an NQF Level 5 qualification in office administration” rather than naming one specific certificate
- Comparing candidates: the level makes qualifications from different institutions and sub-frameworks comparable
- Planning staff development: a Workplace Skills Plan records the training an organisation plans for its staff, and accredited training is reported against registered qualifications and their levels
- Career paths: moving a team member from a Level 4 to a Level 5 qualification is a clear, recognised step up
How to check the NQF level of a qualification
Every registered qualification has a SAQA ID, a number that you can search on SAQA’s public register. The record shows the qualification’s NQF level, its credits, the quality council responsible for it and the last date for enrolment. If a provider cannot give you the SAQA ID, ask why before you enrol. For occupational qualifications, also check that the provider is accredited by the QCTO for that specific qualification.
Frequently asked questions
What does NQF stand for?
NQF stands for National Qualifications Framework, South Africa’s ten-level system for ranking qualifications, overseen by SAQA.
What is NQF Level 5 equal to?
NQF Level 5 is the level of a Higher Certificate, the first qualification above Matric. Occupational certificates at Level 5, such as Office Administrator or Project Manager, sit at the same level.
Is NQF Level 4 the same as Matric?
Yes. The National Senior Certificate (Matric) is at NQF Level 4, as are the NC(V) Level 4 and Level 4 occupational certificates.
What is NQF Level 3 equal to?
NQF Level 3 is the level of Grade 11, the Intermediate Certificate and the NC(V) Level 3.
How many credits is an NQF Level 5 qualification?
A Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5 is 120 credits. Occupational certificates at Level 5 vary in size; each course page gives the credits for that qualification.
What is the highest NQF level?
NQF Level 10, the level of a doctoral degree, is the highest level of the framework.
Is a Higher Certificate the same as a diploma?
No. A Higher Certificate is at NQF Level 5 and is usually 120 credits. A diploma is at NQF Level 6 and is 240 or 360 credits.
Talk to BOTI about accredited training for your staff. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or request a quote.