Overview
NATED programmes, known by their N levels (N1 to N6), are technical and business college programmes in South Africa set out in the policy document Report 191. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is the responsible department. This page covers what the two official documents above state; it does not cover the content of individual subjects.
Important
The N1 to N3 programmes are being phased out. A 2023 gazette notice says the phase-out starts on 1 January 2024 and that the last date to enrol on the N1 to N3 programmes was 31 December 2023. Check DHET or a TVET college before planning around these levels.
Who can apply
Report 191 Part 2 sets the admission rule for N4 in Engineering Studies: a Senior Certificate, a National Certificate N3, a National Senior Certificate, or an equivalent qualification. Other N4 programmes list their own admission rules in the same document, for example some ask for a Senior Certificate with particular subjects.
Levels or stages
N1 to N3: covered by the 2023 phase-out notice above.
N4 to N6: each level is a separate national certificate. The Report 191 Part 2 document lists the instructional programmes at these levels.
National N Diploma: a diploma awarded after N4 to N6 study plus workplace experience. For the National N Diploma in Engineering Studies, the document requires:
at least twelve advanced instructional offerings, with a pass in at least three at each of N4, N5 and N6 (and no more than five at N4);
two N6 offerings that are relevant to the candidate's vocation;
documentary proof of two years or 2,670 hours of applicable experience in commerce and industry.
The document gives a minimum formal time of three years for this diploma.
Marking and results
Report 191 Part 2 is a programme and admission document. It does not give a mark scheme for each subject, so this page does not state pass marks.
How to apply
Report 191 Part 2 does not describe an application process. Contact the TVET college where you want to study for its intake and application rules.