Matric Pass Levels Required for BEd Qualifications in South Africa

Teaching remains one of the most respected and impactful professions in South Africa. In recent years, the demand for qualified teachers with strong subject knowledge, language competency, and digital facilitation skills has increased. A solid understanding of BEd eligibility is essential for students and career‑changers as they plan their path toward a teaching qualification. The Regenesys Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching aligns with national education priorities and prepares learners for real, dynamic classroom environments.

In this article, we will explore BEd Matric requirements, including subjects, the role of Maths and Life Sciences, provisional acceptance rules, and your options if you need to rewrite subjects.

NSC Level Overview: Understanding NSC Scoring for BEd Admission Criteria in SA

The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is South Africa’s official matric qualification, recognised at NQF Level 4. This is the minimum entry requirement for admission to the Regenesys Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching.

The NSC grading scale ranges from Level 1 (0–29 %) through to Level 7 (80–100 %). For BEd applicants, achieving Level 4 or above in core subjects, including your language of instruction and specialisation subjects, is essential to meet BEd admission criteria SA, and to align with BEd Matric requirements. A Bachelor’s pass not only reflects academic readiness but also aligns with Regenesys’ admission standard of NQF Level 4 entry.

To qualify for this BEd pathway, you must hold an NSC Bachelor’s pass, which entails the fulfilling these criteria:

• Achieve at least 40% in your Home Language (such as English)
• Obtain 50% or higher in four designated high‑credit NSC subjects (excluding Life Orientation)
• Attain at least 30% in two additional NSC subjects

Read more on Why Choose BEd Senior Phase and FET Teaching in 2025? here

APS Score Breakdown: How to Calculate Your Minimum APS for Teaching Degrees

Your Admission Point Score (APS) is a numerical value calculated from your matric results. It summarises your overall academic performance and is one of the most common BEd Matric requirements used by universities and colleges to decide whether an applicant meets the entry criteria for a qualification, such as a Bachelor of Education.

While not every institution relies solely on APS for admission decisions, most South African universities and many private higher education providers use it alongside other requirements, such as specific subject pass marks or NQF Level 4 qualifications. 

For teaching degrees, APS provides a quick, standardised way to assess whether an applicant is academically ready for the demands of the degree. 

How APS works:

• Your matric percentage in each subject is converted into a point value.
• Only your six best subjects are counted, and Life Orientation is usually excluded.
• The points from these subjects are added together to get your APS total.

The table below shows how matric percentages convert into APS points:

Regenesys School of Education does not require applicants to submit a minimum APS score but does require an NSC Bachelor’s pass or an NQF Level 4 equivalent qualification.

Read more on How To Calculate APS Score? Key Steps for Accurate Results here

Key Subject Pass Marks: Language & Subject‑Level Detail for BEd Entry Requirements

Beyond achieving a Bachelor’s pass and meeting APS requirements, prospective Bachelor of Education students must also meet certain language and subject‑leveldetails. These BEd Matric requirements ensure readiness for teaching in the Senior Phase (Grades 7–9) and Further Education and Training (Grades 10–12) bands, where subject complexity increases and strong communication skills are essential.

At NQF Level 4, the following are typically required:

• English (Home Language or First Additional Language):
  • NSC Level 4 (50–59 %)
  • Ensures you can manage lesson delivery, learner engagement, assessments, and administrative work in the primary language of instruction.
• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy:
  • NQF Level 4 competency
  • Important for logical problems‑solving, data interpretation, and teaching numeracy‑related subjects, even if not specialising in mathematics.
• Specialisation‑related subject:
  • NSC Level 4 in at least one subject linked to your intended teaching area, such as:
    • Life Sciences
    • Business Studies
    • Accounting
    • Physical Sciences
• Bachelor’s pass:
  • Level 4 in four designated 20‑credit subjects, excluding Life Orientation.

Meeting these Matric pass marks for teaching helps meet the BEd Matric requirements and prepares candidates for the academic and practical demands of the SP and FET teaching phases.

Read more on BEd in Senior Phase and FET: Career Scope, Salary, and Opportunities here

Life Sciences & Maths Relevance: Meeting Matric Pass Marks for Teaching in SA

Two subject areas, Life Sciences and Mathematics, hold particular value in the Senior Phase and Further Education and Training bands, both for admission eligibility and for future teaching opportunities. These subjects fall within the broader Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), which plays an important role in South Africa’s economic growth, innovation capacity, and skills development.

Schools across the country continue to face a shortage of qualified teachers in these areas, making them highly sought‑after specialisations. teachers with strong foundations in Life Sciences and Mathematics are better positioned to prepare learners for tertiary studies and careers in science, health, engineering, and technology.

For example:

• If you plan to specialise in Science & Technology, you will need competence in Mathematics and relevant science subjects (such as Life Sciences or Physical Sciences) at NSC Level 4 or higher.
• If your interest lies in Business & Management, Mathematics competency at NQF Level 4 or higher remains important for data interpretation, problem‑solving, and analytical thinking.

Achieving strong results in Life Sciences and Mathematics:

• Supports BEd Matric requirements for your chosen specialisation.
• Enhances your employability in high‑demand subject areas.
• Contributes to national education priorities by strengthening South Africa’s STEM pipeline.

Provisional Acceptance: How Conditional Offers Work for BEd Applicants

Meeting the BEd Matric requirements is an important step, but it does not automatically guarantee a place in the qualification. Many institutions use conditional or provisional acceptance processes to manage high demand and confirm eligibility once final results are available.

Conditional acceptance is usually based on:

• Grade 11 results or partial Grade 12 results
• Predicted performance in final examinations
• Meeting subject‑level requirements, such as NSC Level 4 in English and Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

An applicant holding provisional acceptance will still need to:

• Obtain a Bachelor’s pass in the final NSC results
• Maintain or improve subject performance to meet the minimum APS and specific subject criteria
• Provide all required supporting documentation within the set timelines

Once the final NSC results are verified and all requirements are met, the provisional offer can be converted into an unconditional offer. If final results fall short, the offer may be withdrawn, and alternative pathways, such as a matric rewrite, may be suggested.

Read more on Why a Bachelor of Education (BEd) is the Best Career Choice in South Africa? here

Matric Rewrite Options: Improving NSC Scoring and Meeting BEd Admission Criteria SA

If your original matric results fall short of the BEd Matric requirements, there are several ways to improve your eligibility. One standard route is to rewrite selected subjects through Umalusi‑accredited providers or via the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance qualification.

When considering a rewrite, focus on:

• Raising Mathematics score
• Improving English (Home Language or First Additional Language) to NSC Level 4
• Boosting marks in a specialisation‑related subject, such as Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Business Studies, or Accounting

Once you have successfully completed your rewrites, you can submit the updated certificate to the admissions office of your chosen institution. Even a single subject improvement can be the difference between falling short and meeting the BEd matric requirements.

If waiting for the next academic year feels like a delay, some institutions, such as Regenesys, offer an October intake. This can give candidates who have recently improved their results a chance to start their studies sooner, without having to wait until the following February.

Conclusion

Teaching is both a calling and a profession that shapes the future of South Africa. By understanding the BEd Matric requirements, you can better assess your readiness and plan your academic path. For those who fall short, matric rewrites and alternative intake dates, such as the October intake offered by some institutions, provide opportunities to begin your journey sooner.

The Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching serves as a pathway to becoming a knowledgeable, adaptable, and in‑demand teacher in South Africa. If you are ready to take the next step, explore how the Regenesys School of Education can help you achieve your teaching ambitions.

Visit the Regeneys website today to explore our curriculum or contact us for more information!

Matric Pass Levels Required for BEd qualifications in South Africa – FAQs