report and promotion regulations · zeugnis- und versetzungsordnung dsk 1 report and promotion...

Zeugnis- und Versetzungsordnung DSK

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Report and Promotion Regulations

of the Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt (DSK)

as at 20.06.2017

1. REPORTS

As an assessment of their academic progress, students receive progress assessments in the middle and at the end of the year (reports, mid-year reports, school leaving reports, final exam reports).

1.1 Types and contents of reports; handing out of reports

1.1.1 Reports contain the academic assessment in the form of report marks or written as a

percentage.

Primary School (Grades 1 to 4)

Grades 1 and 2 receive a report which takes into account the areas: conduct, work and

learning. At the end of Grade 2 the level of performance in German and Mathematics must

finally be indicated with a verbal comment for the mark. Here trend indicators are possible.

Progress assessment in Grade 3 and 4 will be given in the form of marks indicating “very good”

to “very poor”.

Secondary phase I (Grades 5 to 9 in the German stream)

Grade 5 constitutes the orientation phase, in which the development, academic level and

school career of the student is intensively observed and the parents/guardians are accordingly

advised. At the end of Grade 5 a class conference will make a suggestion about each individual

student, based on the following criteria:

- the academic performance and also the academic development, especially in the main

subjects with a higher number of lessons,

- the skill in oral self-expression and ability to deal with abstract terms,

- the perseverance and willingness to exert him/herself during the lessons and with homework,

- showing interest and engaging in practical skills during the teaching process, inclusive of

extra-curricular activities

Should suggestions by the school and the request of the parents for their child’s school career

not coincide, initially the decision of the parents will prevail. If a student has been

recommended for the “Hauptschule”, his highest possible status will be that of a “Realschule”

student. The final placement will be done after half a year. The school will make its decision,

which will be taken after considering the development according to the above criteria.

To ensure maximum transparency after the orientation phase, a change in school career could

be suggested until the end of Grade 8, and normally in each case at the end of a school year. A

class conference will make the final decision.

The type of school (Hauptschule, Realschule, Gymnasium) should be apparent on the report

from Grade 6 onwards.

Performance evaluation in Grades 5 - 9 will be given in the form of percentages.

If there is no differentiation in performance evaluation for students in joint classes of differing

school types in the subjects German, English, Afrikaans, French, Xhosa, Mathematics, Music,


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History, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry, the marks of a “Realschule” student will be assessed

at 15% more than the marks of a “Gymnasium” student, while the marks of a “Hauptschule”

student will be assessed at 30% higher than that of a “Gymnasium” student.

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

In the NSC-branch of Grade 10 to 12, the progress assessment is given in percentages and

rating codes (1-7).

Combined NSC and German International Abitur (combi-branch)

In the combi-branch NSC and Abitur, the progress assessment of Grade 10 to 12 is given in

percentages.

The allocation of percentages to marks and/or rating codes is done by using a calculation table

which is added to the report (see Addendum 1).

1.1.2 Mid-year reports and end-of-year reports include details of absent days and can include

remarks which are relevant to the school career of the student. Cooperation and conduct of

students of Grades 5 – 11 are assessed on an addendum to the mid-year report. Year-end

reports contain a remark concerning promotion or non-promotion. The students of the combi-

branch receive proficiency reports in the form of half-year reports in Grades 11 and 12.

1.1.3 A school leaving report is issued to a student who leaves the school without completing it.

Should the date of departure be less than eight weeks after the report, the leaving report will

document the assessment of the last report, otherwise the assessment at the time of departure.

Should the relationship to the school end later than eight weeks before the last day of teaching

of a school year, the class conference will decide the promotion. Students who have been

promoted receive an appropriate remark in the school leaving report. Students who have not

been promoted receive a school leaving report without a remark concerning promotion as well

as an end-of-year report containing a remark concerning the non-promotion.

1.1.4 The mid-year reports are handed out on the last day before the winter holidays. End-of-year

reports are handed out on the last day of the school year. One of the student's legal guardians

will acknowledge receipt of the report with a signature.

The legal guardians of a student who has not been promoted, will be informed at the latest on

the day before handing out of reports.

1.1.5 Students who have not attended the school for more than one term, receive an attendance

certificate.

1.1.6 Reports can only be handed out after the school fees have been paid and books borrowed from

the school have been returned.

1.2 Assessing report marks

1.2.1 The report mark for each subject is established by the relevant subject teacher. Each subject

teacher is obliged to disclose his/her assessment to the principal at his request. The principal

attends to the coordination of the mark allocation.

1.2.2 Assessing report marks for a subject should be based on a sufficient number of individual

marks. Individual marks may be weighted differently if this is justified by the level of difficulty or

the extent of the assessment. Overall marks do not have to be just the arithmetic average of

the individual marks, but must be understood to be an integrated pedagogical and professional

decision.

1.2.3 Specifics of assessment

1.2.3.1 The subject Life Orientation in Grade 10 and 11 receives an individual mark on the

report for each sub-area and an overall mark as the arithmetic average.

1.2.3.2 At the end of Grade 11 in the NSC-branch, marks are calculated on the basis of the

above mentioned rules and averages and also those of the conditions of the official

National Senior Certificate.

1.2.3.3 The end-of-year report marks are calculated on the basis of the achievements

throughout the year, in which the performance development should particularly be


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taken into account. In general, the basis for allocation of report marks is a

pedagogical decision taken by the subject teacher and should not be a purely

arithmetic calculation.

With subjects that are taught in the first semester only, the mark of the first semester

is also included in the end-of-year report.

In the Grade 12 NSC-branch only the September report will be handed out in the

second semester. The end-of-year report is omitted.

When students change schools, the report marks of the school leaving report are to

be taken into account.

The regulations of the German International Abitur examination at German foreign

schools (Decision of the KMK of 17.06.2005) will apply concerning the final exam

report of the combi-branch. In case of successful final examinations, the combined

report will be handed out (NSC + Abitur), else, if applicable, an NSC report or a

school leaving report.

1.2.3.4 If a mark in a subject cannot be assessed on grounds for which an individual student

cannot be held responsible, instead of a mark, a remark will be entered in the report

that the result could not be assessed. The reason will be noted in the space for

remarks. If the student is responsible – especially in the case of refusing to work – the

subject will be rated at 0%; the reason will be entered in the student's file.

1.3 Issuing of the report

1.3.1 Reports contain the name of the school, the name, surname and the date of birth of the

student, the class and the year, as well as the information whether it is a mid-year, end-of-year,

school leaving or final exam report. In the case of a school leaving or final exam report, the

birth place of the student must also be indicated.

1.3.2 Reports are to be computer generated and printed, and may not contain any corrections. The

principal and class teacher or their substitute(s) must sign them by hand. The reports must

bear the date on which they will be handed out. Reports are to be stamped with the school's

seal. The school must retain a copy of school leaving and final exam reports. All information of

the other reports must be kept available in the student’s files.

1.3.3 The spaces on the report which according to the time table are not given, and those for the

compulsory and the choice subjects which the student has not chosen, are to be voided.

1.3.4 If a student is exempted from taking a certain subject, this is to be noted instead of a mark

being given.

1.3.5 Extra-curricular activities and other voluntary activities at school are entered under Remarks.

1.3.6 In the report commendations may be awarded. They are to be suggested by the class or

subject teacher and discussed at the conference. The conference will take the final decision.

The following gradations are possible: ”................. (Name) is commended for his/her

(L1) exceptional academic performance

(L2) exemplary cooperation

(L3) exemplary social conduct“

Combinations are also possible, e.g. L1 + L2 or L1 + L2 + L3

1.3.7 in the mid-year and end-of year reports the number of excused or unexcused missed days and

lessons has to be mentioned, from Grade 9 the number of excused or unexcused missed

lessons


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2. Promotion, school leaving qualification 2.1 General

2.1.1 Promotion or non-promotion are pedagogical measures to align the course of education of a

student with his development in total, his specific personal and academic situation and his

willingness and capability to learn. The basis for the decision to promote a student is

established, if the student has successfully completed the relevant grade, and successful

progress in the next grade seems likely.

2.1.2 The basis for the decision to promote or not depends on the marks of the compulsory subjects

and the compulsory choice subjects of the end-of-year report as well as the general

development of the student’s personality. The compulsory and choice subjects are listed in

Addendum 2 (lesson plan). In the combi-branch there is no promotion decision at the end of

Grade 11. The rules of the “Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfungsordnung” are valid here.

The state of the subject courses to be assessed in the final exam is to be checked.

2.1.3 Subjects which are taught per semester only are also relevant for promotion and will be entered

as such, e.g. Music – Satisfactory, 1st semester.

2.1.4 The decision to promote is taken by the class conference under chairmanship of the principal

or his substitute.

2.1.5 Eligible to vote are all the teachers of the relevant student. Should a vote be necessary, the

simple majority applies. In a tie the principal (or his substitute) has the deciding vote;

abstentions are not possible.

2.1.6 Should participation at the promotion conference not be possible due to compelling personal or

official reasons, the chairperson must be handed the assessment in good time. Here pointers

regarding promotion are necessary, should the student's promotion be in jeopardy. Should

such pointers not be submitted, the conference makes the decision on the basis of the

available documentation. In the case of absence the right to vote ceases.

2.1.7 Promotion on probation is not permitted.

2.1.8 When accepting a new student he can be placed in a grade on a trial period of one term in

exceptional cases. Then the class conference will decide the final placement.

2.1.9 The class teacher or his representative writes the minutes of the promotion conference.

Promotion with an equalizer must be noted. The decision about a student who is not promoted

requires a reason to be entered in the minutes. A big differentiation in marks from the mid-year

to the end-of-year report of more than 20% must be justified by the subject teacher. The

justification is to be noted in the minutes.

2.2 Promotion

2.2.1 Promotion in the primary phase (Grade 1 – 4), secondary phase (Grade 5 – 12), NSC

2.2.1.1 Grade 1 and 2 are to be regarded as a unit. Therefore a student should not be

promoted only in very exceptional circumstances. In Grades 2, 3 and 4 a student is

promoted if he has no marks under “adequate” in any subject or has “poor” in only

one subject. With two or more “poor” subjects, or one or more “very poor” marks in

the subjects German, English Mathematics, Social Studies, the student cannot be

promoted.

2.2.1.2 A student in Grade 5 – 10 is promoted when he has no marks under 40% in any

subject; or poor (39 – 20%) in one subject only that does not belong to the subjects

German, English, Mathematics. In addition a student is promoted when all marks

under 40% can be equalized.

In Grade 10 of the NSC-branch the rules of the National Curriculum Statement apply

(see Addendum). German is regarded as equal to the official languages. A student of


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Grade 11 in the NSC-course is promoted if he would receive a National Senior

Certificate at the end of Grade 12 with the same results.

2.2.1.3 Promotion with an equalizer in Grade 5 – 9 and the combi-branch Grade 10:

All subjects can be used as equalizers, though from the subjects Skills Training

(Arbeitslehre) craft work, Skills Training PC, Life Skills, Sport and Religion only one

mark of at least 60% may be used.

A student is accordingly promoted when the marks

1. in not more than one of the subjects German, Mathematics or English are poor (39

– 20%) and the poor mark is equalized by at least 60% in one other subject of this

subject group; or

2. might be poor (39 -20%) in one of the subjects German, Mathematics, English and

one of the remaining subjects, but the report evinces three results of at least 60% of

which one must be in German, Mathematics or English;

3. might be poor in two of the remaining subjects (39 – 20%), but these insufficient

marks can be equalized by at least three marks of at least 60%;

4. in one of the remaining subjects lies under 20% and can be equalized by marks of

at least 60% in at least three subjects, one of which should be from the German,

Mathematics, English group.

2.2.1.4 Promotion is denied when the results

- in one of the subjects German, Mathematics, English are under 20%

- in two of the subjects German, Mathematics, English are under 40%

- in one of the subjects German. Mathematics, English are under 40% and in one

other subject are under 20%

- in more than two subjects are under 40%

- in two or more subjects are under 20%.

Equalizing is not possible under these circumstances.

2.2.1.5 Students from Realschule who have the right to attend a Gymnasium, will join the

combi-branch in Grade 10.

2.2.1.6 For students from a German school who enter the DSK after Grade 10, the results

achieved in Grade 10 will apply. For the transition to the DSK there follows an

inclusion in the 10th grade of the combi-branch if the right to attend a Gymnasium

exists.

2.2.1.7 The fulfilment of the requirements in the combi-branch is structured according to the

“Rules of the German International Abitur Examinations in foreign German schools”.

(Decision of the KMK of 17.06.2005)

2.2.1.8 Should a student not be promoted due to results under 40% in the subjects French or

Xhosa as a foreign language, but would be promoted without taking these subjects

into consideration, the promotion is possible with the remark that this subject may not

be taken in the subsequent grade.


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2.3 Promotion in exceptional cases

2.3.1 Notwithstandig the regulations of section 2.2.1, a student may be promoted in special cases,

e.g. a protracted illness, change of school during the school year, exceptional developmental

disturbances, exceptionally negative conditions at home, or one-sided giftedness, if his total

personality, particular situation, general performance level and willingness to work have been

taken into account and found to justifiy this, and successful cooperation in the next grade can

be expected. For this decision of promotion both unanimity and the consent of the principal is

necessary. Minutes have to be taken. Promotion is not possible, if, in conjuction with it, a

graduation or special qualification would be obtained.

2.3.2 A student from another school who has unsatisfactory marks in German and English, may be

granted a period of grace of up to 18 months. In this period these subjects are not relevant to

promotion. At the end of the first year within this period, the marks will appear on the report for

the first time. The length of the grace period will be determined in agreement with the principal.

Grace periods are entered in the report under Remarks. [Grace period in ........... until ............

(month/year)].

This rule also applies to subjects which the student had not taken at his former school.

2.4 Non-promotion

2.4.1 Non-promoted students repeat the last grade attended.

2.4.2 Students repeating the same grade or those who are not promoted in two subsequent grades

must leave the school. In the German stream Grades 5 – 8, they can change from the school

type “Gymnasium” to that of “Realschule”, or from the school type “Realschule” to that of

“Hauptschule”. The class conference will make the decision about the classification..

2.4.3 Upon an application of the parents and in accordance with the class conference the principal

can allow a student to repeat the last grade he attended or repeat a second time,

notwithstanding no. 2.4.2; no. 2.3.1 applies accordingly.

2.5 Communication with the parents

2.5.1 If the promotion of a student is in jeopardy in the first semester, a relevant remark must be

entered into the mid-year report.

2.5.2 The report must contain the remark “Promotion at risk” if a student's performance development

gives rise to concern; the remark “Promotion at great risk”, if the student could not be promoted

with the marks of the first semester.

2.5.3 If it is established during the second semester that promotion is at risk, the parents receive a

written communication with an indication in which subjects the results are not adequate before

the start of the last term.

2.5.4 Should a subject be taught in one semester only, the parents are to be informed at the

beginning of the year that the marks of the mid-year report will be the basis ofthe decision to

promote or of successful attendance (s. no. 1.2.3.3).

2.5.5 In the qualification phase of the combi-branch information must be supplied in good time if

there is the risk that a student cannot fulfil the requirements of the “Rules of the German

International Abitur Examination of the German foreign schools”.

2.5.6 Should the necessary communication, remarks or information according to paragraphs 2.5.1 to

2.5.5 have been omitted , no claims may be made on the strength of this; no. 2.3.1 will remain

unaffected.


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2.6 Secondary School Qualification (school leaving certificate from the “Hauptschule”,

“Realschule”; authorization to proceed to the qualification phase of the upper level of

“Gymnasium”)

2.6.1 Students in the school type “Hauptschule” take an examination in the second half of Grade 9 in

compliance with the “Examination requirements for the school leaving certificate of the

secondary phase I (“Hauptschule” and “Realschule” leaving certificate) at German schools

abroad” (Decision of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural

Affairs). If they pass, they receive the “Hauptschule” leaving certificate at the end of Grade 9.

2.6.2 Students in the school type “Realschule” write an exam in the second half of Grade 10 in

compliance with the “Examination requirements for the school leaving certificate of the

secondary phase I (“Hauptschule” and “Realschule” leaving certificate) at German schools

abroad” (Decision of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural

Affairs). If they pass, they receive the “Realschule” certificate at the end of Grade 10.

2.6.3 At the end of Grade 10 and when they are promoted to Grade 11, students in the school type

“Gymnasium” receive authorization to proceed to the qualification phase of the upper level of

“Gymnasium”, which includes the Secondary School Qualification.

2.6.4 The type of Secondary School Qualification will be noted on the relevant reports.

2.7 Skipping a grade

2.6.1 The principal may allow a particularly gifted and hard-working student to skip a grade if the

class conference in conjunction with the parents have made such a proposal. It is required that

the student's marks clearly outrank his grade peers’ and that his work ethic is such that he will

successfully keep up in the next grade.

2.6.2 The decision may not be based on a test. The student must be counselled and supported in the

next class to such an extent that resultant problems of such a move will be minimal. A period

of grace of up to half a year is to be granted in the evaluation of marks in the new grade.

2.6.3 As a general rule skipping a grade follows at the end of the second semester or at the end of

the year. The decision of skipping will be noted in the report.

2.8 Receding

2.7.1 After applying to the principal a student from Grade 1 to12 may voluntarily go back into the

previous grade. Receding out of a grade which is being repeated or into a grade which is being

repeated is not possible. The “Rules of the German International Abitur Examinations at

German foreign Schools” apply in the case of a student from the combi-branch.

An appropriate remark will be made in the report.

2.7.2 No new promotion decision needs to be taken for the later transition in a grade to which the

student had already been promoted.

2.7.3 Should a student leave the grade into which he had receded, his school leaving report must

contain the remark that the student had been promoted and went back voluntarily to the grade

presently attended.

AP Kirmse OStD Cape Town, 20 June 2017 Principal


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Anlage 1

DDeeuuttsscchhee IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaallee SScchhuullee KKaappssttaaddtt Anlage 1 Bewertungsschlüssel Noten / Grade sehr gut

1

gut

2

befriedigend

3

ausreichend

4

mangelhaft

5

ungenügend

6

Punkte / German Classification

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

English / Translation very good good satisfactory adequate/pass poor very poor

Percentage 100 – 85 % 84 – 70 % 69 – 55 % 54 – 40 % 39 – 20 % 19 – 0 %

Bewertungsschlüssel NSC

Rating Code 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Marks 80 – 100 % 70 – 79 % 60 – 69 % 50 – 59 % 40 – 49 % 30 – 39 % 0 – 29 %

Description outstanding meritorious substantial adequate moderate elementary not achieved

Anlage 2

Stundentafel der Grundschule der DSK Lernbereich Klasse 1 Klasse 2 Klasse 3 Klasse 4

Deutsch 10 18

9 17

9 9

Sachunterricht 3 3 3 3

Mathematik 5 5 5 5

Englisch 0 4 4 6

Musik 1 1 1 1

Kunst 2 2 2 2

Sport, Spiel 3 2 2 2

Religion 2 2 2 1

Verfügungsstd. 1 1 1 1

Arbeits-gemeinschaft

1 1 1 0

Summe 28 30 30 30


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Anlage 3

Stundentafel Sekundarstufe Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt ab 2013

Kombi-Zweig NSC-Zweig

Fächer \ Jahrgänge 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 10 11 12

Deutsch 10 9 8 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Englisch 6 5 6 5 6 5 5 5 5 5 5

Wahlpflichtfach 1:

4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 Afrikaans / Xhosa /

Französisch

Wahlpflichtfach 2:

4 4

Afrikaans / Xhosa / Französisch

EMS / Drama / Design & Technology

Geschichte 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4

Geographie 2 2 2 1 2

Sport 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Life Skills, ab 10 Life Orientation

1 1

2 2 0 2 2 0

Mathematik 6 5 6 5 5 6 6 6 5 5 6

Informatik 1

Naturwissenschaft & Technik

1 2 2

Physik

2 2

8 8 10

Chemie

2 2

Biologie 2 2 2 2 2

Musik 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2

Kunst 2 2 2 2 1

Religion 1 1 1

Zusatzunterricht

2 2 1 1 1 2

Verfügungsstd./Begegnung

1

Summe 39 39 39 39 39 41 41 41 26 26 26

Kl.10 Zusatz: 1Ma

Informatik/Naturwiss. & Technik: epochal halbjährlich zweistündig

Kl.10/11Zusatz: 2 Förderunt.

Kl.11 Zusatz: 1 En

Kl.12 Zusatz: 1 En

Kl.12 Zusatz: 1 Science, 1 En

Dazu: 2 bis 3 Fächer je 5-stündig aus:

Accounting, Visual Arts, History, Geography, Science, Physical Science, Französisch


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Anlage 4

Deutsche Internationale Schule

Report Promotion Regulations for the National Senior certificate in Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12.

May, 2009

The DSK offers the following Subjects in the NSC A. Languages

Official South African Languages One official South African language offered at Home Language, namely English Two official South African languages offered at First Additional Language, namely Afrikaans and Xhosa

Non-official languages German Home Language or German Second Additional Language,

B. Arts and Culture

Visual Arts

Music [externally or GLMZ only]

C. Business, Commerce and Management Studies

Accounting

D. Human Social Studies

Geography

History

Life Orientation

E. Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences

Life Science

Mathematics

Physical Sciences

Compulsory Subjects [4]

Two official South African languages from Group A above – English being at Home Language level, the other being at First Additional Language level, either Afrikaans or Xhosa.

Mathematics

Life Orientation.


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Choice Subjects [3]

A minimum of three further subjects from Groups B – E above A candidate may include a maximum of two additional languages from Group A at Second Additional Language level for one of the remaining official South African languages, or another language as indicated in the list above. Candidates may not offer:

More than one from isiXhosa, isiZulu, SiSwati and isiNdebele.

The same language as a Home and a First or Second Additional Language

Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy.

Scale of Achievement for Grades 10 – 12

Rating Code

Rating Marks %

7 Outstanding achievement 80 – 100

6 Meritorious achievement 70 – 79

5 Substantial achievement 60 – 69

4 Adequate achievement 50 – 59

3 Moderate achievement 40 – 49

2 Elementary achievement 30 – 39

1 Not achieved 0 - 29

To Pass Grades 10 and mid-year 11 in order to qualify for admission to an NSC, a candidate must meet the following Minimum Criteria:

Obtain at least 40% in English

Obtain at least 30% in Afrikaans or Xhosa

Obtain at least 30% in Mathematics.

Obtain at least 40% in Life Orientation.

Obtain at least 40% in one of the remaining three subjects and

Obtain at least 30% in two further subjects.

To obtain the National Senior Certificate at the end of Grade 12, a learner must achieve the following Minimum Requirements

o 40% in three subjects, one of which is English, the official language at Home Language level o 30% in three subjects o A learner may fail in one subject, provided that a complete portfolio of evidence in the school-

based assessment component is submitted in the subject failed The ratio of the external exam to the site-based assessment is 75: 25, with the exception of Life Orientation, where the internal assessment will be 100% of the total mark. A further 25% may be allocated to subjects that, by their nature, require other forms of school-based assessment such as practicals, orals, etc.


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There are different minimum admission requirements for tertiary qualifications, that is Higher Certificate, Diploma and Degree Studies. They can be summarised as follows:

Tertiary Qualification Admission Requirement

Higher Certificate National Senior Certificate

Diploma

NSC + four subjects passed at minimum Level 3 (40-49%) or better, excluding Life Orientation

Bachelor’s Degree

NSC + four subjects chosen from the designated list of subjects (see above) and passed at minimum Level 4 (50-59%)

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