Grading and study results
Secondary education study results
National Senior Certificate (NSC) study results are assessed in the following way:
In numbers | In percentages | Description | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
7 | 80-100% |
Outstanding achievement |
Outstanding |
6 | 70-79% | Meritorious achievement | Very good |
5 | 60-69% |
Substantial achievement |
Good |
4 | 50-59% | Adequate achievement | More than satisfactory |
3 | 40-49% | Moderate achievement | Satisfactory |
2 | 30-39% |
Elementary achievement |
Poor |
1 | 0-29% | Not achieved | Fail |
Secondary education documents
Students obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC) if they complete general upper secondary education. The Statement of Results shows whether the exams have been taken by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB). It also shows a remark about which the student obtained.
Transfer entitlement
The possibility to continue on to an advanced programme, in some cases with exemptions for several subjects or a certain period.
NSC remark about transfer entitlement
The following remarks about transfer entitlements are possible on the NSC Statement of Results:
- NSC with admission to Higher Certificate programmes;
- NSC with admission to (National) Diploma programmes; or
- NSC with admission to bachelor's programmes
NSC with admission to Higher Certificate programmes
For admission to the Higher Certificate programmes, NSC graduates must obtain a score of at least 30% in the language of instruction of the institution where the student wishes to enrol in higher education.
NSC with admission to (National) Diploma programmes
To pass the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to the (National) Diploma programmes, graduates must achieve the following scores:
- a score of at least 30% in the language of instruction of the institution where the student wishes to enrol in higher education; and
- a score of at least 40% in 4 other subjects from the list of nationally approved subjects.
NSC with admission to bachelor's programmes
To pass the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to the bachelor's programmes, graduates must achieve the following scores:
- a score of at least 30% in the language of instruction of the institution where the student wishes to enrol in higher education; and
- a score of at least 50% in 4 other subjects from the list of nationally approved subjects.
Higher education study results
South African higher education institutions assess study results by using percentages ranging from 0 to 100. Also, they classify bachelor’s degrees and bachelor honours degrees in the following way:
In percentages | Classification | Meaning |
---|---|---|
75-100% | First class | Outstanding |
70-74% | Second class upper division | More than satisfactory – good |
60-69% | Second class lower division | Satisfactory – more than satisfactory |
50-59% | Third class | Poor |
Lager dan 50% | Fail | Fail |
Higher education documents
For higher education, students must submit all obtained diplomas with transcript and/or list of marks.