What is an NQF Level?
Picture a staircase. On completion of your National Senior Certificate, you have made it to the 4th step (NQF Level 4)
NQF Level 4
Completion of your National Senior Certificate (NSC)
NQF Level 5
Higher Certificate
NQF Level 6
Diploma
NQF Level 7
Bachelor's Degree
Advanced Diploma
Postgraduate Certificate
NQF Level 8
Honours
Postgraduate Diploma
Professional Bachelor's Degree
NQF Level 9
Masters
What is an endorsement and how does it affect me?
There are 4-types of national senior certificates passes, and your results will determine which you receive.
The higher your pass, the shorter your path. There are no shortcuts.
NSC
PASS
Allows you to study a Boston short learning programme.
The completion of which may afford you the opportunity to apply for a Boston undergraduate programme.
NSC
Higher Certificate
Given the opportunity to study a higher certificate.
NSC
Diploma Pass
Affords the opportunity to apply to study a diploma of higher certificate.
NSC
Bachelor's Pass
Provides you with the opportunity to apply and study a bachelor’s degree, a diploma or a higher certificate.
Does Boston work on a points system for entry?
No school leaver should consider themselves as excluded from post-matric learning. The limit is self-imposed by you as an individual. Nowadays, there is no such things as “I did not obtain enough points”, or “I didn’t obtain a good enough pass”. All is not lost.
Boston City Campus does not use a points system for entry.
What if I don’t get the endorsement to study my chosen qualification?
Boston City Campus is serious about education, and serious about you. Therefore, we have designed learning pathways, which allow learners to get to where they want to go.
What are the entry requirements for higher education?
CATEGORY A1:
Direct Entry Pathway
This path is for students who have already achieved a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent with a higher education endorsement.
Your Starting Point:
You are eligible to apply directly for the qualification level indicated on your certificate, such as a Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree.
Your Future with a Higher Certificate:
Once you complete your Higher Certificate, you can continue to advance into Diploma or Degree Study.
Your Future with a Diploma:
Once you complete your Diploma, you can continue to advance into an Advanced Diploma or a Postgraduate Certificate study.
Your Future with a Degree:
Once you complete your Degree, you can continue to advance into Postgraduate study (Bachelor Honours, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s).
CATEGORY A2:
The Foundational Pathway
This is the path for those aged 18+ with a Grade 12 (NSC) without endorsement or equivalent who are looking to strengthen their academic foundation before starting a higher education qualification.
Your Starting Point:
Begin your journey with the Boston Gateway for Access (Gateway) programme, which is designed to build essential skills in literacy and numeracy.
Your Future:
Successfully completing the Gateway programme creates a bridge into higher education, allowing you to be considered for admission into a Higher Certificate programme.
CATEGORY A3:
The Skill-Building Pathway
If you are aged 18+ and have an attempted, incomplete, partially complete, or failed Grade 12 (NSC) or equivalent, this pathway focuses on recognising your potential and building your academic readiness.
Your Starting Point:
You can start by completing a designated Boston Short Learning Programme, followed by the Gateway programme to prepare for higher-level study.
Your Future:
By completing these steps and showing your readiness, you can apply for admission to a Higher Certificate through our “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL) process.
CATEGORY A4:
The Senior Mature Age Pathway
This path is dedicated to applicants aged 45 or older.
Your Starting Point:
You are eligible to apply for your chosen qualification on the basis of mature age (Higher Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree)
Your Future:
We will work with you through our RPL process to align your past work and life experience with the best possible qualification for your career goals.
CATEGORY A5:
The Career Development Pathway
Aged 18 - 22
For those aged 18-22 without a Grade 12 (NSC), we focus on immediate skill acquisition and long-term academic growth.
Your Starting Point:
You can immediately boost your professional profile by enrolling in our Short Learning Programmes or Institute Learning Programmes.
Your Future:
While you build your career skills with a specific Boston Short Learning Programme,you can apply for admission pathways to a Higher Certificate through our “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL) process, or we can guide you on how to earn a recognised Grade 12 equivalent (like a GED) so you can pursue higher education in the future.
CATEGORY A5:
The Career Development Pathway
Aged 23+
For those aged 23+ without a Grade 12 (NSC), we focus on immediate skill acquisition and long-term academic growth.
Your Starting Point:
You can start by completing a designated Boston Short Learning Programme, followed by the Gateway programme to prepare for higher-level study.
Your Future:
Completing these steps and showing your readiness, you can apply for admission to a Higher Certificate through our “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL) process.
How do I know if the qualification I am applying for is registered?
All higher education institutions, both public and private, in South Africa, are required, by law, to offer only higher education qualifications that are accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
If you are concerned about a higher education qualification, head to the SAQA website and search the SAQA ID.
If it is not there, beware.