If you are a Learner in South Africa and interested in attending a traditional university within the country, then exemption certificates are an important topic to discuss.
What Are Exemption Certificates?
Candidates who would like to study at South African universities need to apply for exemption certificates. These certificates are often called USAf exemption certificates, with USAf standing for Universities South Africa. USAf is an umbrella body that represents South Africa's 26 public universities.
These certificates show that you have completed a grouping of subjects at the IGCSE, AS, or A-Level that serve as the equivalence to an international A-Level as determined by South African universities.
Available Exemption Certificates
In deciding what subjects to take candidates should always be guided by the basic requirements set by the university of choice for the qualification they would like to follow.
According to the regulations, candidates can apply for the following types of certificates:
| Complete Exemption | Number of Subjects Required | Minimum Qualification Required | Minimum Grade Required | Subject Group Requirements |
International A-Level |
5 | 2 A-Level Subjects + 3 IGCSE Level Subjects |
A-Levels: E (40 - 49%) IGCSEs: C (60-69%) |
Students must choose ONE subject from each of Groups I,II, and III at either A-Level or IGCSE Level. The remaining subjects for either level may be taken from any of the groups. |
| International A-Level | 4 | 3 A-Level Subjects + 1 IGCSE Level Subject |
A-Levels: E (40 - 49%) IGCSE: C (60-69%) |
Students must choose ONE subject from each of Groups I,II, and III at either A-Level or IGCSE Level. The remaining subjects for either level may be taken from any of the groups. |
| International AS Level | 5 | 4 AS-Level Subjects + 1 IGCSE Level Subject |
AS-Levels: D (50-59%) IGCSE: C (60-69%) |
Students must choose ONE subject from Group I or II and another TWO subjects from two of Groups III, IV and V. English First Language must be offered and passed at an appropriate level. Two languages must be offered to qualify for the complete exemption. |
Note: The International AS Level exemption is the most popular amongst South African Learners that want to study locally.
You can sit subjects either from Pearson Edexcel or Cambridge Assessment International Education. In all cases, more than one subject can be chosen from a group provided that the minimum requirements have been met.
In the case of the International AS Level exemption certificate, it is also subject to the two-sitting rule.
The Two-Sitting Rule
The two-sitting rule applies in South Africa to both qualifications for IGCSEs and International AS Levels. As the name suggests, candidates need to meet the minimum requirements for the exemption certificate in two exam sittings. An exam sitting is defined as a 12-month period. Therefore, candidates would have 24 months to complete all subjects.
Each 12-month period has 3 exam sessions. Exams are available in Oct/November, January, and May/June. All subjects are not offered in all sessions, however when a subject is not examined in Oct/Nov session the following June session will be regarded as the same sitting.
Please double-check the entry guides for the relevant awarding body to see when subjects are available. Once you pass your International A-Levels, the rule will no longer apply.
Subject Groups
In order to better understand the requirements mentioned in the table above, here are the groups with their respective recognised subjects:
| Group 1 | English Language, English Language and Literature |
| Group 2 | Second Language – Afrikaans, isiZulu, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portuguese |
| Group 3 | Third Language (those that are not offered as part of Group 2), Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Combined Sciences |
| Group 4 | Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, History, Art & Design, Environmental Management, Music, Physical Sciences |
| Group 5 | Accounting, Computer Science, Divinity, Religious Studies/Divinity, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Design and Technology, Information Technology, Further Mathematics |
Outside of these groups, there are also ungrouped recognised subjects, including: Literature in English as a stand-alone, Applied Information and Communication Technology, Drama/Performing Arts, Travel & Tourism, Information Communication Technology
Ungrouped subjects are recognised/acceptable subjects but do not meet any grouping requirements and therefore will not be considered for grouping purposes.