If you are a student or parent asking “what NQF level is an honours degree?”, here is the direct answer for South Africa:
Honours = NQF Level 8
On the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
- A Bachelor Honours Degree is registered at NQF Level 8.
- A Postgraduate Diploma is also typically at NQF Level 8.
- Some professional Bachelor’s degrees exit at Level 8; a standard three-year Bachelor’s degree is usually Level 7.
That Level 8 band sits above a Bachelor’s degree (Level 7) and below a Master’s degree (Level 9).
For official oversight of the NQF, start at the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). SAQA publishes NQF information, level descriptors and related services.
What the NQF is
The National Qualifications Framework is South Africa’s single system for classifying and registering quality-assured qualifications. Levels run from 1 to 10. Higher numbers mean a higher level of learning demand — not automatically “better for every job,” but clearer for university admission, employment grading and further study.
This page uses the South African NQF only. It is not the UK framework and not a foreign credit system.
South African NQF ladder (plain view)
| NQF level | Typical qualification examples |
|---|---|
| 1 | General Education Certificate / Grade 9-type exit (GET band) |
| 2 | Grade 10 / NCV Level 2 equivalents |
| 3 | Grade 11 / NCV Level 3 equivalents |
| 4 | National Senior Certificate (matric) / NCV Level 4 |
| 5 | Higher Certificate / Advanced National (Vocational) Certificate |
| 6 | Diploma / Advanced Certificate |
| 7 | Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma |
| 8 | Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma / some professional Bachelor’s exits |
| 9 | Master’s Degree |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree |
Exact titles and credit rules sit on the registered qualification. Always check the institution’s prospectus and the SAQA registration details for the programme you want.
Quick answers students ask
Is matric an NQF level?
Yes. The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is at NQF Level 4.
Is a Bachelor’s degree Level 7 or 8?
Most standard Bachelor’s degrees exit at Level 7. Some longer professional Bachelor’s qualifications exit at Level 8. Your offer letter or SAQA record should state the exit level.
What comes after honours?
Usually a Master’s degree at NQF Level 9, then a Doctorate at Level 10. Institutions set their own admission averages and research requirements on top of the NQF level rule.
Does “NQF 8” always mean honours?
Honours is Level 8, but Level 8 also includes other postgraduate diplomas and some professional qualifications. Read the qualification type name, not only the number.
How to check a qualification properly
- Open saqa.org.za for NQF context and services (including verification and foreign-qualification evaluation routes).
- Ask the university or college for the SAQA qualification ID and exit level on the programme brochure.
- For school-leaving certificates, remember Umalusi quality-assures the NSC; SAQA oversees the wider NQF.
- If you studied abroad and need local recognition, use SAQA’s foreign qualifications evaluation process — not a social-media “equivalency” list.
Useful SAQA entry points:
Study path example (higher education)
A common route looks like this:
- NSC (Level 4) → Higher Certificate (5) or Diploma (6) or Bachelor’s (7)
- Bachelor’s (7) → Honours or Postgraduate Diploma (8)
- Level 8 → Master’s (9) → Doctorate (10)
Bursaries, Funza Lushaka and employer grades often name the NQF level they require. Match the level on the advert to your certificate before you apply.
Related CAPS123 pages
- What is an acronym? — including NQF as a short form
- CAPS terms glossary
- View matric results / certificate guidance
Disclaimer
This article is an independent CAPS123 guide for students and parents. It is not an official SAQA, DHET, DBE or university publication. Programme rules and registrations change — confirm the exit level on SAQA and your institution before you enrol or quote a level on a CV.