Primary and secondary education

Read about primary and secondary education in South Africa. Which diplomas can students obtain? And to which Dutch diplomas can you compare these South African diplomas?

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Primary education

Primary education lastst 7 years. Pupils aged 6 to 14 complete the following 2 stages:

  • lower primary education (grade 0-3); and
  • upper primary education (grade 4-6).

Lower primary education

Lower primary education (foundation phase) starts with grade 0, also known as Reception year or grade R). It lastst 4 years, up to and including grade 3. Education in this phase focuses on basic skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic, and the development of language skills. From grade 3 onwards, it is mandatory to take another approved language in addition to their language of education. All 11 official languages may be taken as the home language, first additional language and second additional language. These terms indicate the various level gradations for languages in the South African education system.

Upper primary education

Upper primary education (intermediate phase) starts in grade 4 and lasts 3 years, up to and including grade 6. The focus in this phase is more on reading and speaking skills in the home language as well as in the second language. From grade 4 onwards, education is exclusively in English and Afrikaans. The pupils also study mathematics, history, geography, general sciences and handicrafts.

Secondary education

Secondary education consists of 2 phases:

  • lower secondary education (grade 7-9);
  • upper secondary education (grade 10-12).

Lower secondary education

Lower secondary education (senior phase) lasts 3 years. At the end of this phase, a pupil is no longer required to attend school. Primary education and the senior phase are collectively called General Education and Training (GET).

Upper secondary education

Upper secondary education (Further Education and Training) lasts 3 years. Students aged 16 to 19 choose:

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

General secondary education is offered at public and private secondary schools. It is concluded with exams for a National Senior Certificate (NSC).

  • Duration: 3 jaar
  • 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 . The subject life orientation is a compulsory subject, but it does not count as part of the score.
  • Function of the diploma: access to higher education.
  • Diploma: National Senior Certificate (NSC).

Graduates can obtain the National Senior Certificate (NSC) at the following 3 levels:

  • NSC with admission to Higher Certificate programmes;
  • NSC with admission to (National) Diploma programmes;
  • 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.

With these scores, the graduate receives the statement that he/she meets the minimum requirements for admission to the bachelor's programmes on the NSC.

We compare the National Senior Certificate, which states that the graduate has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes, to a HAVO diploma.

IEB exams

The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) mainly conducts exams for private secondary schools in South Africa. The curriculum is of a more academic nature compared to the curriculum in public secondary education. The exams of both the IEB and those of the public schools lead to the same diploma, the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

We compare the National Senior Certificate, obtained after completion of the IEB exams, which states that the graduate has met the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree programmes have been met, to at least a HAVO diploma.

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.

Vocational secondary education

Upper secondary education (Further Education and Training, FET) also includes vocational programmes. Students follow this type of education at technical colleges, community colleges and private colleges. Among other things, they can obtain the National Certificate.