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Primary and secondary education

How is South African primary and secondary education organised? To which Dutch diplomas can you compare South African diplomas?

Primary and secondary education in South Africa

Primary education lastst 7 years. Secondary education lasts 6 years. Students can complete the following phases:

  • lower primary education (foundation phase);
  • upper primary education (intermediate phase);
  • lower secondary education (senior phase); and
  • upper secondary education (Further Education and Training, FET).

Primary education and lower secondary education are collectively called General Education and Training (GET).

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

General upper secondary education is concluded with exams for a National Senior Certificate (NSC).

  • Duration: 3 years.
  • Inhoud: 7 subjects. Students follow 4 compulsory subjects (2 languages, mathematics and life orientation) and choose 3 electives. They can choose the electives from a list of nationally approved subjects .
  • Function of the diploma: access to higher education if the student has achieved study results that meet the minimum admission requirements of Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma and/or bachelor's programmes. For more information, see Secondary Education study results.
  • Diploma: a National Senior Certificate (NSC), issued by Umalusi. Please note: on the diploma it is mentioned if the student has met the minimum admission requirements of Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma and/or bachelor's programmes.

We compare a National Senior Certificate to a HAVO diploma if it is mentioned on the diploma that the student has met the minimum admission requirements of Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma and/or bachelor's programmes.

We compare a National Senior Certificate to at least a HAVO diploma if:

  • the student has taken the exams via the Independent Examinations Board (IEB); and
  • it is mentioned on the diploma that the student has met the minimum admission requirements of Higher Certificate, (National) Diploma and/or bachelor's programmes.

Please note: 'at least a HAVO diploma' means that the diploma has a higher level than a HAVO diploma, but a lower level than a VWO diploma. The level of the diploma lies between a HAVO diploma and a VWO diploma.