NQF stands for the National Qualifications Framework and was introduced by the government in 1995. As SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority) explains, the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a collection of principles and rules for registering learner achievement records in order to enable national recognition of acquired skills and knowledge, resulting in an integrated system that promotes lifelong learning.

The NQF and their school equivalents are as follows

• NQF Level 1: Grade 9 certificate or equivalent (also equates with ABET Level 4)
• NQF Level 2: Grade 10 certificate or equivalent
• NQF Level 3: Grade 11 certificate or equivalent
• NQF Level 4: Grade 12 certificate or equivalent
• NQF Level 5: Higher Certificate
• NQF Level 6: Diploma
• NQF Level 7: Bachelor’s Degree
• NQF Level 8: Honours Degree
• NQF Level 9: Master’s Degree
• NQF Level 10: Doctorate Degree