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 |
The National Department of Basic Education's website lists the minimum study results students must have to get an NSC. If they want to continue studying in South African higher education, they must meet extra requirements for subjects and grades. The diploma and transcript will show if the student meets the minimum entry requirements for:
- Higher Certificate programmes;
- Higher Certificate and (National) Diploma programmes; or
- Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma and bachelor's programmes.
The National Department of Basic Education's website gives an overview of the extra requirements for the above mentioned 3 options (under ‘Higher Education Institution requirements and support’). The subject life orientation does not count here.
Please note: it is also possible that students' study results do not meet the minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma or bachelor's programmes. In that case, the diploma bears the term ‘Endorsement None’. They then have no access to higher education in South Africa with their diploma.
Secondary education documents
If they complete general upper secondary education, they get:
- a National Senior Certificate (NSC), issued by the Umalusi; and
- a transcript (Statement of Results).
Please note: the diploma shows the study results, but it doesn't mention if the student took the exams via the school or the IEB. For that, you need the Statement of Results. This is important to check, because the level of an NSC is slightly higher if the student took the exams via the IEB. See: National Senior Certificate (NSC).
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 honours bachelor's 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.