Education Structure in South Africa

Three bands of education

South Africa's National Qualifications Framework (NQF) recognize three broad bands of education: General Education and Training, Further Education and Training, and Higher Education and Training.

School life spans 13 years or grades, from grade 0, otherwise known as grade R or "reception year", through to grade 12 or "matric" - the year of matriculation. General Education and Training runs from grade 0 to grade 9. Under the South African Schools Act of 1996, education is compulsory for all South Africans from age 7 (grade 1) to age 15, or the completion of grade 9. General Education and Training also includes Adult Basic Education and Training.

Levels of education in South Africa


 

Major South African higher education institutions

1. University of Cape Town (UCT)


2. UCT Department of Archaeology Cape Town


3. University of Durban Westville (UDW)


4. University of Free State (UOVS)


5. Medical University of Southern Africa


6. University of Natal; University of (UN) - Pietermaritzburg Campus


7. University of Port Elizabeth (UPE)


8. University of Potchefstroom (PUK)


9. University of Pretoria (UP)


10. Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit (RAU) Johannesburg


11. Rhodes University; Grahamstown


12. University of South Africa (UNISA); Pretoria


13. University of Stellenbosch (US)


14. University of Transkei


15. University of Fort Hare


16. Western Cape


17. University of Witwatersrand (Wits); Johannesburg


18. University of Zululand; University of