Knowledge Base
Browse authoritative definitions for South African qualification terminology.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a formal quality assurance process through which an authorised body determines whet...
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are the academic, experiential or other conditions a learner must meet to gai...
Adult Education and Training
Adult education and training provides education and learning opportunities for adults and may includ...
Advanced Certificate
An Advanced Certificate is a higher education qualification type positioned at NQF Level 6 and desig...
Advanced Diploma
An Advanced Diploma is a higher education qualification type positioned at NQF Level 7 and normally ...
Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a structured occupational learning arrangement through which a learner develops...
Articulation
Articulation refers to the arrangements that allow learners to move between qualifications, programm...
Artisan
An artisan is a skilled worker who has demonstrated competence in a recognised trade through the app...
Assessment
Assessment is the process of collecting and evaluating evidence to determine whether a learner has a...
Assessment Criteria
Assessment criteria describe the evidence or standards used to determine whether a learner has achie...
Bachelor Degree
A Bachelor Degree is an undergraduate higher education qualification designed to provide foundationa...
Bachelor Honours Degree
A Bachelor Honours Degree is a postgraduate qualification that builds on an appropriate bachelor...
Bachelor's Degree
A Bachelor's Degree is a higher education qualification that provides broad and specialised kno...
Blended Learning
Blended learning combines different modes of learning, commonly integrating face-to-face instruction...
Career Pathway
A career pathway is a sequence of education, training, work experience and occupational development ...
CAT
Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) refers to the recognition and transfer of appropriate credits...
Certificate
A certificate is a formal document issued by an authorised institution or assessment body as evidenc...
Certification
Certification is the formal process through which an authorised body confirms that a learner has suc...
CHE
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is the statutory Quality Council responsible for quality assur...
Comparability
Comparability describes the relationship between a qualification obtained in one system and a South ...
Competence
Competence is the demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, skills and related attributes effectively...
Competency
Competency refers to the ability to perform a defined task or activity to the required standard usin...
Core
A core component is compulsory learning that directly contributes to the central knowledge and skill...
Core Learning
Core learning consists of compulsory learning that forms the central knowledge and skills requiremen...
Council on Higher Education
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) is the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and pr...
Credit Accumulation and Transfer
Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) is a process through which credits achieved in one learning p...
Credits
Credits are a measure of the volume of learning associated with a qualification or learning achievem...
Curriculum
A curriculum is the organised content, learning activities, outcomes and assessment arrangements thr...
DBE
DBE stands for the Department of Basic Education, the South African national government department r...
Department of Basic Education
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is the South African national government department responsi...
Department of Higher Education and Training
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is the South African national government depa...
Designation
A designation is a professional title awarded by a recognised professional body to an individual who...
DHET
DHET stands for the Department of Higher Education and Training, the South African national governme...
Diploma
A Diploma is a higher education qualification type generally associated with NQF Levels 6 or 7 depen...
Distance Learning
Distance learning is a mode of education in which teaching and learning take place when learners and...
Doctoral Degree
A Doctoral Degree is the highest level of qualification in the higher education qualification framew...
Doctorate
A doctorate is a qualification at the highest level of the higher education qualification framework,...
EISA
EISA stands for External Integrated Summative Assessment, an external assessment process used for ap...
Elective
An elective is a learning component selected from an approved range of options according to the rule...
Elective Learning
Elective learning consists of approved learning options from which learners may select according to ...
Equivalence
Equivalence refers to a determination that different qualifications or learning achievements have co...
ETQA
An Education and Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA) is a body historically responsible for quali...
Exit Level
An exit level is the NQF level at which a qualification is positioned and at which its exit level ou...
Exit Level Outcomes
Exit Level Outcomes describe the broad outcomes that a learner must demonstrate at the point of comp...
External Integrated Summative Assessment
An External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) is an external assessment process used by the QCT...
Field
A field is a broad area of learning used to organise qualifications and learning achievements on the...
Foreign Qualification
A foreign qualification is a qualification awarded by an education or training institution outside S...
Foreign Qualification Evaluation
Foreign qualification evaluation is the process of assessing a qualification obtained outside South ...
Formal Learning
Formal learning takes place through organised education or training programmes provided by recognise...
Fundamental
A fundamental component is a compulsory learning component that provides foundational knowledge or s...
Fundamental Learning
Fundamental learning provides compulsory foundational knowledge or skills required as part of a qual...
Further Education and Training
Further education and training refers to education and training associated with the further educatio...
General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework
The General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework (GFETQSF) provides for q...
General Education and Training
General education and training refers to the foundational education band covering learning before th...
General Education and Training Certificate
The General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) is a qualification associated with the general...
GETC
GETC stands for General Education and Training Certificate, a qualification associated with general ...
GFETQSF
The General and Further Education and Training Qualifications Sub-Framework (GFETQSF) is the NQF sub...
HEQSF
The Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) is the NQF sub-framework for qualification...
Higher Certificate
A Higher Certificate is a higher education qualification type positioned at NQF Level 5 and designed...
Higher Education
Higher education refers to education and training provided after school-level education, including q...
Higher Education Institution
A higher education institution is an institution that provides post-school education and training le...
Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework
The Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) provides the framework for the qualificati...
Horizontal Articulation
Horizontal articulation refers to movement between qualifications or learning programmes at a simila...
Informal Learning
Informal learning is learning acquired through everyday activities, work, life experience or other e...
Integrated Assessment
Integrated assessment evaluates whether a learner can combine and apply knowledge, skills and compet...
Knowledge
Knowledge refers to the information, concepts, principles and understanding that a learner acquires ...
Knowledge Component
The knowledge component of an occupational qualification specifies the theoretical and conceptual kn...
Last Date for Achievement
The last date for achievement is the final date by which the qualification may generally be achieved...
Last Date for Enrolment
The last date for enrolment is the final date by which learners may generally enrol for a qualificat...
Learner Achievement
A learner achievement is a formally recognised learning outcome or achievement recorded within the a...
Learnership
A learnership is a structured learning programme that combines workplace experience with structured ...
Learning Achievement
A learning achievement is a formally assessed and recognised outcome of learning that may contribute...
Learning Achievement Record
A learning achievement record is an official record of learning outcomes, credits, qualifications or...
Learning Area
A learning area is an area of organised learning used to describe or classify learning within the re...
Learning Hours
Learning hours refer to the time associated with learning activities required to achieve specified l...
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do as a res...
Learning Programme
A learning programme is a structured sequence of learning activities designed to enable learners to ...
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning refers to learning undertaken throughout a person's life through formal, non-...
Major
A major is a principal area of specialisation within a degree or other higher education programme....
Master's Degree
A Master's Degree is a postgraduate higher education qualification involving advanced study and...
Minimum Admission Requirements
Minimum admission requirements are the lowest specified entry requirements that a learner must satis...
Minimum Credits
Minimum credits are the minimum volume of learning, expressed in NQF credits, required to meet the r...
Minor
A minor is a secondary area of study or specialisation that is smaller in scope than a major within ...
Module
A module is a defined component of a programme or qualification that covers a particular area of lea...
NATED
NATED refers to the National N-Diploma programme associated with technical and vocational education ...
National Certificate
A National Certificate is a qualification type used in South African education and training, with it...
National Certificate Vocational
The National Certificate (Vocational), commonly abbreviated NC(V), is a vocational qualification off...
National Diploma
A National Diploma is a qualification title used for various South African qualifications, including...
National Learners Records Database
The National Learners Records Database (NLRD) is a national electronic management information system...
National Qualifications Framework
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is the national framework used to organise qualification...
National Qualifications Framework Act
The National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 is the legislation that provides for the National Qu...
National Senior Certificate
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is the school-leaving qualification awarded after successful c...
NC(V)
NC(V) stands for National Certificate (Vocational), a vocational qualification pathway offered throu...
NLRD
The National Learners Records Database (NLRD) is SAQA's national database for records relating ...
Non-Formal Learning
Non-formal learning is organised learning that takes place outside the formal education system and m...
Notional Hours
Notional hours represent the estimated total amount of time an average learner would need to achieve...
NQF
The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is the comprehensive system approved by the South Africa...
NQF Act
The National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 provides the legislative framework for the South Afr...
NQF Designation
An NQF designation identifies the applicable sub-framework or category under which a qualification o...
NQF Level
An NQF Level indicates the level of complexity and achievement associated with learning within the N...
NQF Level Descriptors
NQF Level Descriptors describe the general characteristics of learning achievement at each of the 10...
NQF Qualification
An NQF qualification is a qualification registered within the South African National Qualifications ...
NQF Registered
NQF registered indicates that a qualification or part-qualification has been formally registered on ...
NQF Sub-Framework
An NQF sub-framework is a structured component of the National Qualifications Framework covering a p...
NSC
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is South Africa's school-leaving certificate awarded to l...
Occupational Certificate
An Occupational Certificate is a type of occupational qualification associated with the Occupational...
Occupational Certificate: Artisan
An Occupational Certificate for an artisan is an occupational qualification associated with a recogn...
Occupational Curriculum
An occupational curriculum is the structured curriculum specifying the learning components and requi...
Occupational Profile
An occupational profile describes the work activities, tasks, responsibilities and competence requir...
Occupational Qualification
An occupational qualification is a qualification designed around the knowledge, practical skills and...
Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework
The Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) provides the framework for occupational qualifi...
Online Learning
Online learning is education or training delivered substantially through internet-based technologies...
OQSF
The Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) is the NQF sub-framework for occupational quali...
Part-Qualification
A part-qualification is an assessed unit of learning that is registered as part of a qualification o...
Post-School Education and Training
Post-School Education and Training (PSET) refers broadly to education and training opportunities ava...
Postgraduate Diploma
A Postgraduate Diploma is a postgraduate higher education qualification that provides advanced knowl...
Practical Skills Component
The practical skills component specifies the practical activities and skills that a learner must dem...
Prerequisite
A prerequisite is a learning achievement, qualification, subject, skill or other requirement that mu...
Private Higher Education Institution
A private higher education institution is a privately operated institution registered in accordance ...
Professional Body
A professional body is an organisation that represents and regulates members of a profession and may...
Professional Designation
A professional designation is a title or status awarded by a professional body to a person who meets...
Professional Qualification
A professional qualification is a qualification designed to develop advanced knowledge and competenc...
Progression
Progression refers to movement from one learning achievement, qualification or NQF level to another ...
Provider
A provider is an institution or organisation that offers education, training or learning programmes ...
PSET
PSET stands for Post-School Education and Training and refers broadly to education and training oppo...
Public Higher Education Institution
A public higher education institution is an institution established or declared under South African ...
Purpose of Qualification
The purpose of a qualification describes the main reason the qualification exists and the intended k...
QCTO
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is the statutory Quality Council responsible f...
Qualification
A qualification is a planned combination of learning outcomes that is intended to qualify a learner ...
Qualification Amendment
A qualification amendment is an approved change to specified information or requirements associated ...
Qualification Credits
Qualification credits represent the volume of learning associated with a qualification, with one NQF...
Qualification Database
A qualification database is a structured collection of information about qualifications, including t...
Qualification Development
Qualification development is the process of designing and establishing a qualification, including de...
Qualification Expiry
Qualification expiry refers to the end of the applicable registration period of a qualification, aft...
Qualification Framework
A qualification framework is a structured system used to classify and organise qualifications accord...
Qualification ID
A qualification ID is the unique identifier used in the SAQA database to distinguish a specific regi...
Qualification Level
Qualification level refers to the NQF level at which a qualification is positioned according to its ...
Qualification Pathway
A qualification pathway is a structured route through related learning programmes and qualifications...
Qualification Replacement
Qualification replacement occurs when a registered qualification is replaced by another qualificatio...
Qualification Review
A qualification review is a process through which a qualification is examined to determine whether i...
Qualification Standard
A qualification standard describes the requirements, outcomes and characteristics that define a part...
Qualification Title
The qualification title is the official name under which a qualification is registered on the Nation...
Qualification Type
Qualification type identifies the category of qualification, such as a certificate, diploma, degree ...
Qualification Verification
Qualification verification is the process of confirming the authenticity or recorded details of a qu...
Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is the systematic process of ensuring that education, training, assessment and qua...
Quality Assurance Council
A quality assurance council is a statutory body with responsibility for quality assurance and relate...
Quality Council
A Quality Council is a statutory body responsible for quality assurance and related functions within...
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations
The Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is responsible for establishing and maintainin...
Quality Councils
South Africa has three Quality Councils associated with the NQF sub-frameworks: the Council on Highe...
Recognition
Recognition is the formal acceptance of a learning achievement, qualification, credit, competence or...
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) enables existing knowledge and skills gained through work, life ...
Recognition of Qualifications
Recognition of qualifications is the process through which a qualification is accepted as meeting sp...
Registered Qualification
A registered qualification is a qualification formally registered on the National Qualifications Fra...
Registration
Registration is the formal recording of a qualification, part-qualification or other recognised lear...
Registration End Date
The registration end date is the date on which the applicable registration period of a qualification...
Registration Start Date
The registration start date is the date from which a qualification is registered for the applicable ...
Registration Status
Registration status indicates the current or historical status of a qualification on the relevant qu...
Report 191
Report 191 refers to a set of nationally administered technical and vocational education programmes ...
RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process used to identify, assess and recognise knowledge an...
Rules of Combination
Rules of combination specify how different learning components, such as fundamental, core and electi...
SAQA
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the statutory authority responsible for advanci...
SAQA Act
The South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 established SAQA and provided the original legi...
SAQA Database
The SAQA database provides information about registered qualifications and related learning achievem...
SAQA ID
A SAQA ID is the unique identification number assigned to a qualification or part-qualification when...
SAQA Verification
SAQA verification refers to the verification or evaluation services associated with South African qu...
Sector Education and Training Authority
A Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is responsible for skills development functions wit...
SETA
A Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is a statutory body established for a defined econo...
Skills
Skills are the abilities developed through learning and experience that enable a person to perform t...
Skills Programme
A skills programme is a structured learning programme that is intended to provide learners with spec...
South African Qualifications Authority
The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the statutory authority established under the N...
Statement of Results
A statement of results is an official record showing the results or learning achievements obtained b...
Study Pathway
A study pathway is a sequence of related qualifications or learning programmes through which a learn...
Sub-Field
A sub-field is a more specific area within an NQF field used to classify related qualifications and ...
Sub-Framework
A sub-framework is a defined component of the National Qualifications Framework used to organise qua...
Subject
A subject is a defined area of study within an educational programme, qualification or curriculum....
Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is education and training designed to develop...
Trade Qualification
A trade qualification recognises competence in a specific trade and is associated with the occupatio...
Trade Test
A trade test is an assessment used to determine whether a person has demonstrated the competence req...
Transcript
A transcript is an official academic record listing subjects, modules, results, credits or other lea...
TVET
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) provides education and training focused on te...
TVET College
A TVET college is an institution that provides technical and vocational education and training progr...
Umalusi
Umalusi is the statutory Quality Council responsible for quality assurance in general and further ed...
Unit Standard
A unit standard is a registered statement of learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria th...
University
A university is a higher education institution authorised to provide higher education qualifications...
Vertical Articulation
Vertical articulation refers to progression from a qualification or learning achievement to another ...
Work Experience Component
The work experience component provides structured workplace learning through which a learner gains p...