The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is the system that records levels of learning achievement to ensure that the skills and knowledge that have been learned are recognised throughout the country.

There are eight levels on the NQF. These levels are divided into three bands:

• general education and training
• further education and training
• higher education and training.

A qualification is a formal recognition of the learning that has been achieved. Subject to SAQA approval, a qualification can be registered on the NQF at a specific level. A certain number of credits are allocated to the successful completion of a registered qualification.

You can search the SAQA qualifications database to find out what qualifications are available for each level, how many credits they are worth, and which service-providers offer this training.

Unit standards are also registered at specific levels of the NQF. You can accumulate credits for successfully completed unit standards towards a qualification.