Grading and study results

How do educational institutions assess study results in South Africa? And what documents do students receive when they have completed a study programme?

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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.

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.