The NQF consist of 10 levels divided into three bands;Levels 1 to 4 equate to high school grades 9 to 12 or vocational training, 5 to 7 are college diplomas and technical qualifications, 7 to 10 are university degrees. Higher Certificates and Advanced National (vocational) Certificates. The ten levels of the South African NQF are as follows:
1. Level 1: Grade 9
2. Level 2: Grade 9
3. Level 3: Grade 10
4. Level 4: Grade 12
5. Level 5: Higher Certificate and Advanced National (vocational) Certificate
6. Level 6: National Diploma and Advanced Certificate
7. Level 7: Bachelor's degree, Advanced Diploma, and Postgraduate Certificate
8. Level 8: Honours degree, Postgraduate Diploma
9. Level 9: Master's degree
10. Level 10: Doctoral degree