South Africa University Grading System
South Africa uses a percentage-based grading scale with 7 achievement bands, from Distinction (75%+) to Not Achieved (below 40%). All qualifications are governed by the NQF 10-level framework under SAQA oversight.
NQF Qualification Levels at a Glance
The 10-level framework that governs all South African qualifications from SAQA.
| NQF Level | Qualification Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NQF 10 | Doctoral Degree | 3+ years PG |
| NQF 9 | Masters Degree | 1–2 years PG |
| NQF 8 | Honours Degree / PG Diploma / PG Certificate | 1 year PG |
| NQF 7 | Bachelor Degree (3-year) | 3 years |
| NQF 6 | Diploma / Advanced Certificate | 2–3 years |
| NQF 5 | Higher Certificate | 1 year |
Source: SAQA NQF overview. Levels 1–4 cover school-based qualifications and are not shown here.
Understanding South African University Grading
Key concepts behind the NQF framework and grading scale.
The NQF Framework, 10 Levels
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is South Africa's national credit and qualifications framework, managed by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority). It has 10 levels, with NQF 1 covering basic education and NQF 10 covering doctoral degrees. All qualifications offered by registered higher education institutions must be aligned to an NQF level. The grading scale (percentage bands) sits inside this framework but individual universities set their own mark thresholds.
SAQA and CHE Oversight
SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) is responsible for the NQF as a whole. The Council on Higher Education (CHE) oversees quality assurance for university qualifications specifically. Universities register their programmes with the DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training) and must comply with CHE programme standards. The grading scale used (typically a 7-band percentage system) is standard across most public universities, though private institutions may vary.
University vs TVET grading
South African universities use a percentage-based grading scale with labels like Distinction, Merit, and Substantial Achievement. TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges use a different achievement level system (Level 1–7 on the TVET scale) that is not directly comparable to university percentage grades. This hub covers university grading only.
Explore the South African Grading System
Detailed sub-pages covering the NQF scale, honours, academic records, and supplementary exams.
South Africa NQF Grading Scale
Full 7-band percentage table with NQF achievement descriptors, comparison to UK and US systems, and TVET vs university distinctions.
Read more →South Africa Honours and Cum Laude
Honours as a one-year NQF 8 postgraduate qualification, Cum Laude at 75%+, Magna Cum Laude at 80%+, and how this differs from UK honours classification.
Read more →South Africa Academic Records
Transcript fields, SAQA verification for international employers, distinction between academic record and certificate, and the registrar request process.
Read more →Supplementary Exams and Re-sit Rules
Eligibility (within 10% of pass mark), mark capping at 50%, December/January timing, and DHET regulations governing supplementary assessments.
Read more →Related Gradebook Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the South African university grading system.
Automate South African NQF grading with OpenEduCat
7-band NQF grading, Cum Laude thresholds, SAQA-aligned academic records, and supplementary exam management, configured for South African institutions.