Getting your qualifications right on your CV and LinkedIn matters in South Africa. Recruiters, HR systems (ATS) and hiring managers expect clear, standardised education entries that show accreditation and level. Below is a practical, recruiter-friendly guide to listing SAQA and NQF information so your application passes human and automated filters and impresses South African employers.
What are SAQA and the NQF — a quick primer
- SAQA = South African Qualifications Authority — the national body that records qualifications and unit standards.
- NQF = National Qualifications Framework — levels 1–10 that standardise learning achievements.
- Many employers look for an NQF level and SAQA ID as proof of accreditation. Foreign qualifications often need a SAQA evaluation.
Why you should list SAQA & NQF details (and when)
- Transparency: Recruiters confirm accreditation quickly.
- ATS matching: Keyword and field-matching often include terms like “NQF Level 7” or “SAQA ID”.
- Credibility: Especially important for regulated professions and public sector roles.
- When to include: Always for formal qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates). For short courses, include SAQA/unit standard numbers only if they are accredited.
How to list SAQA & NQF details on your CV
Follow a consistent, concise format in the Education section. Place education either after the profile or after experience depending on your seniority (see linked guidance on CV format and page length below).
Recommended format (single line per qualification):
Qualification title, Institution — NQF Level X; SAQA ID: ######; Credits: ### (if applicable); Year(s)
Examples:
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), University of Cape Town — NQF Level 7; SAQA ID: 987654; Credits: 360; 2019–2022
- National Diploma: Human Resources, Tshwane University of Technology — NQF Level 6; SAQA ID: 123456; 2015–2017
- Project Management Short Course (Unit Standard 115123), accredited — NQF Level 5; Credits: 12; 2023
H3: How to show foreign qualifications
- Get a SAQA evaluation and include the outcome: e.g., Foreign BSc (UK) — SAQA evaluation: BSc (SA NQF Level 7); Evaluation Ref: SAQA-2023-000123.
- If evaluation is pending, be transparent: Subject to SAQA evaluation — documentation submitted.
H3: What to avoid on a CV
- Don’t list unaccredited online badges as equivalent to NQF levels.
- Don’t omit SAQA details when accreditation exists — omitting raises queries from South African employers.
How to list SAQA & NQF details on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is public and searchable — present the same accreditation details but adapted to the platform fields.
- Education section
- School: University of Cape Town
- Degree: Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) — NQF Level 7
- Field of study: Accounting / Economics (optional)
- Description: Add SAQA ID: 987654; Credits: 360; 2019–2022.
- Licenses & Certifications
- Use this for SAQA unit standard certificates or validated short courses. Include SAQA Unit Standard ID in the Certification ID or Description.
- About/Summary and Headline
- Mention your key NQF credential if it’s central to the role: e.g., BCom (NQF Level 7) — Finance graduate with 2 years' intern experience.
- Featured documents
- Upload the SAQA evaluation certificate or accredited certificate (respect privacy guidelines).
CV vs LinkedIn: quick comparison
| Item | CV (Best Practice) | LinkedIn (Best Practice) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Short, standardised line(s) with SAQA/NQF info | Use Degree + NQF in Degree field; SAQA details in description |
| SAQA ID | Include when available | Include in Education description or Certification entry |
| Credits | Include for diplomas & advanced certificates | Include in description (optional) |
| Foreign eval | State SAQA evaluation result/reference | Upload evaluation to Featured or list in Education |
ATS & keyword strategy — practical tips
- Use exact phrases recruiters search for: “NQF Level 6”, “SAQA ID”, “SAQA evaluation”.
- Put the NQF level near the qualification title to increase match weight for ATS.
- Mirror job ad terminology where accurate (see guidance in ATS & Keyword Strategy for South Africa: Optimise Your CV and Cover Letter to Beat Recruiters’ Filters).
Formatting snippets you can copy
CV entry:
- Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSci), University of the Witwatersrand — NQF Level 7; SAQA ID: 112233; 2016–2019
LinkedIn Degree field:
- Degree: Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSci) — NQF Level 7
- Description: SAQA ID: 112233 | Credits: 360 | 2016–2019
Certification entry:
- Title: Project Management (Unit Standard 12345) — NQF Level 5
- Issuing authority: ABC Training Academy (SAQA-accredited)
- Credential ID/Notes: SAQA Unit Standard 12345 — 12 credits
Do’s and Don’ts (fast list)
Do:
- Do include NQF level and SAQA ID for accredited qualifications.
- Do get a SAQA evaluation for foreign qualifications and add the reference.
- Do use consistent formatting across CV and LinkedIn.
Don’t:
- Don’t inflate non-accredited online courses as NQF-level qualifications.
- Don’t bury SAQA/NQF details in long descriptions — put them where recruiters expect (title line or first clause).
Additional tips specific to South African recruiters
- If the job is regulated (e.g., healthcare, finance, education), include licence numbers and regulatory body along with the NQF/SAQA details.
- Keep referees and personal details private but ready — see guidance about contact details on the CV: Referees, Contact Details and Privacy: What South African Recruiters Expect on Your CV.
- When applying digitally, ensure CV formatting is ATS-friendly — consult: ATS & Keyword Strategy for South Africa: Optimise Your CV and Cover Letter to Beat Recruiters’ Filters.
Further reading (to strengthen your application)
- Interview Preparation South Africa: CV Format That South African Recruiters Prefer (Templates + Examples)
- LinkedIn Profile Checklist for South Africa: Headlines, Skills and Endorsements That Get Recruiter Attention
- Cover Letters That Convert in SA: Phrases, Structure and Local Employer Expectations
- Action Verbs and Local Entities: Writing a CV for SA Industries (Mining, Finance, Healthcare)
- CV Red Flags in South Africa: Common Mistakes That Lose Interviews and How to Correct Them
- Step-by-Step Guide to Building a South Africa-Ready LinkedIn Profile for Graduate and Mid-Level Roles
- One-Page vs Two-Page CV in South Africa: How to Decide and What to Include for Interview Calls
Checklist before you submit
- SAQA ID and NQF level included for each accredited qualification
- SAQA evaluation reference uploaded or noted for foreign credentials
- LinkedIn education and certification fields updated and consistent with CV
- ATS keywords included without stuffing (see ATS guide)
- Certificates ready to share with employer upon request
By listing SAQA and NQF information clearly and consistently you reduce recruiter friction, improve ATS matches, and demonstrate professional credibility to South African employers. Update both your CV and LinkedIn today and make those qualifications work for you.