1Grade 8 and 9
Choose the pathway with the destination in mind
Each qualification has its own subject and exam rules, so switching later costs your child time. For the IEB pathway, CambriLearn needs a Grade 9 average of 70%.
University pathways from online school
Every CambriLearn pathway ends in a school-leaving qualification: the NSC, Pearson or Cambridge International GCSEs and A Levels, or an American High School Diploma. Universities in South Africa, the UK, the US and Europe read each one differently, and your child’s subject choices from Grade 9 decide which universities stay within reach.
Sources checked 27 October 2026
6Curriculum pathways at CambriLearn
100+Countries with CambriLearn students
3A and AS Level routes to a USAf exemption
The qualification each pathway leads to
Universities read your child’s results through the qualification, and some qualifications need an extra step, such as a USAf exemption in South Africa.
| Pathway | Qualification | Where your child sits the exams | Certificate comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | International GCSE, International AS and A Level | A registered exam centre near home, as a private candidate | Pearson Edexcel |
| International British Curriculum | Cambridge International GCSE, AS and A Level | A registered exam centre near home, as a private candidate | Cambridge International |
| US K-12 | American High School Diploma | Online, through sister school Score Academy Online | Score Academy Online |
| CAPS | National Senior Certificate (NSC) | At home under online proctoring in Grades 10 and 11, then a SACAI centre in South Africa for the Grade 12 finals | Umalusi |
| KABV | NSC, taught in Afrikaans | As for CAPS | Umalusi |
| IEB | NSC, examined by the IEB | At home under online proctoring in Grades 10 and 11, then a centre in South Africa for the Grade 12 finals from 2028 | Umalusi |
Cambridge papers as a private candidate
CambriLearn is not a registered Cambridge school. Your child sits Cambridge papers as a private candidate at a centre that accepts them, Cambridge sends the certificate to that centre, and a private candidate’s certificate doesn’t show the centre’s name. See how exams work for each pathway
Getting into a South African university
South African universities admit school leavers on an NSC with a bachelor’s pass, or on international results that the USAf Matriculation Board has certified as meeting the same minimum.
With an NSC
The legal minimum for a bachelor’s degree is an NSC with at least 30% in the university’s language of learning and teaching, plus 50% or more in four subjects from a designated list. Faculties add their own subject requirements and points scores, and an NSC doesn’t guarantee a place.
With A Levels, AS Levels or International GCSEs
Students who didn’t follow the South African school route need a certificate of exemption from the USAf Matriculation Board before they can register for a degree. The University of Pretoria, for example, asks applicants without an NSC for a complete exemption or a foreign conditional exemption certificate.
Three routes to a complete exemption
The guide Cambridge International produced with USAf sets these minimum combinations.
| Route | Subjects | Minimum grades | Subject groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Level, five subjects | 2 A Levels plus 3 International GCSEs or O Levels | E at A Level, C at International GCSE or O Level | One subject from each of Groups I, II and III. The other two can come from any group. |
| A Level, four subjects | 3 A Levels plus 1 International GCSE or O Level | E at A Level, C at International GCSE or O Level | One subject from each of Groups I, II and III. The fourth can come from any group. |
| AS Level, five subjects | 4 AS Levels plus 1 International GCSE or O Level | D at AS Level, C at International GCSE or O Level | One subject from Group I or II and two from two of Groups III, IV and V. Your child must pass English First Language, offer two languages and meet the requirements within two exam sittings. |
- Group I is a first language such as English, and Group II a second language. Group III covers maths, sciences and a third language, and Groups IV and V include humanities, arts, business and computing subjects.
- For the two-sitting rule, exams within 12 months count as one sitting. The rule stops applying once your child passes A Level subjects.
- A student who misses one requirement can still receive a conditional exemption, at USAf’s discretion.
- Some universities also ask for the National Benchmark Tests.
- The guide states grades for Cambridge results. Pearson grades its International GCSEs from 9 to 1, so ask us how USAf reads those grades for your child’s subjects.
USAf says it is updating this guideline and refers families to the Government Gazette of 5 December 2008 for the formal rules. Sources: Cambridge International and USAf, University recognition in South Africa (December 2020), USAf Matriculation Board
Getting into a UK university
UK universities write most offers in A Level grades and publish how they read other qualifications, including the South African NSC. The most selective set a higher bar for NSC applicants.
A Levels and International A Levels
Cambridge International A Levels and Pearson Edexcel International A Levels use the A* to E grades that UK offers are written in, such as AAA. If your family lives in the UK, talk to us before your child starts International AS or A Levels: Pearson’s information manual says its International A Levels aren’t available to candidates studying in the UK.
The NSC
Leeds accepts the NSC with matriculation endorsement and reads an AAA offer as levels 7, 7, 7, 6 and 6 across five subjects, which means at least 80% in three and 70% in two. Manchester considers strong NSC grades for direct admission to undergraduate degrees.
Sources: University of Leeds, University of Manchester
Cambridge
Christ’s College, Cambridge, tells South African applicants that the NSC alone won’t make a competitive application. It points them to International A Levels, the IB Diploma, or the NSC with level 7 results in relevant subjects plus five Advanced Placement scores of 5.
Source: Christ’s College, Cambridge
Getting into a US university
Each US college lists the qualifications it accepts and the test scores it wants on its international admissions pages. CambriLearn’s US K-12 pathway gives your child a US diploma to apply with.
The American High School Diploma
Sister school Score Academy Online delivers the US K-12 pathway, assesses every course online and issues the diploma. Cognia accredits the school, so your child earns an accredited US diploma without visiting an exam centre.
Student athletes
Score Academy Online’s courses are NCAA approved, which matters if your child hopes to play college sport in the US.
Admissions tests and counselling
If a college asks for SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement scores, your child registers for those tests separately with the organisations that run them. Stateside, CambriLearn’s US university admissions counselling, is open to students at any school.
Europe and other destinations
Many universities outside the UK and US list their rules by the country your child’s qualification comes from, and some ask NSC applicants for more than the certificate.
The University of Groningen
For a bachelor’s place, Groningen in the Netherlands asks for an NSC with seven subjects and a 70% average, leaving out Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy. Applicants also need one IEB Advanced Programme or Further Studies certificate in mathematics, physics or English at 55% or above, and courses such as medicine add subject requirements.
Source: University of Groningen, entry requirements for South Africa
Check before Grade 10
Find each university’s page for your child’s exact qualification and note any extra subjects or certificates it asks for. Requirements like Groningen’s shape Grade 10 subject choices, so ask us which subjects your child’s pathway offers before you plan around one.
Planning by grade
Most decisions that open or close university options fall between Grade 8 and Grade 10.
2Grade 10
Settle subjects and exam concessions
CambriLearn registers CAPS, KABV and IEB learners with SACAI or the IEB from Grade 10, and the subjects your child takes now shape the bachelor’s pass. Apply for extra time or other concessions now, because SACAI won’t accept a new accommodation application in the Grade 12 year.
3International GCSE year
Cover the USAf subject groups
International GCSE results can count towards a USAf exemption later, so choose subjects that fill Groups I, II and III. Pearson and Cambridge release June results in August and November results in January.
4Final year
Sit the finals and send the results
CAPS and KABV learners write their Grade 12 finals in October and November at a SACAI centre in South Africa, and SACAI closes registration on 13 March of the exam year. NSC results come out in January, and Umalusi issues the certificate about six months later. CambriLearn’s first IEB learners write their finals in October and November 2028, and students with A or AS Levels send their results to USAf for the exemption certificate.
Help with subject and career choices
Our subject and career choice assessment gives your teen two consultations with an educational psychologist. See the assessment
CambriCampus
The live school day: timetabled lessons with qualified subject teachers, the campus your child logs into every day.
CambriPathways
Six curriculum pathways, with subject choices and qualifications to suit your child’s next step.
CambriCommunity
Clubs, events, meetups and study groups for friendships outside lessons.
CambriCommand
The parent view: attendance, progress and standing, visible as the week runs.
Questions parents ask about university entry
Can my child get into a South African university with A Levels?
Yes, with a certificate of exemption from the USAf Matriculation Board. The minimum combinations are two A Levels with three International GCSEs or O Levels, three A Levels with one, or four AS Levels with one, covering the subject groups USAf sets. Faculties then add their own subject and grade requirements.
Is an online school matric the same as a traditional school matric?
Yes. Umalusi has given SACAI and the IEB full accreditation to assess the NSC, and Umalusi issues the certificate whichever assessment body set the exams. Universities apply the same bachelor’s pass rules to every NSC.
Does my child need a USAf exemption with an NSC?
No. Exemption certificates are for students who didn’t follow the South African school route, such as those with A Levels or other foreign qualifications. An NSC with a bachelor’s pass meets the legal minimum for degree study on its own.
Which UK universities accept the South African NSC?
Many publish NSC equivalents for their offers. Leeds accepts the NSC with matriculation endorsement and reads an AAA offer as levels 7, 7, 7, 6 and 6 across five subjects, and Manchester considers strong NSC grades for direct admission. Requirements differ by course, so check each university’s South Africa entry page.
Can my child apply to the University of Cambridge with a matric?
Christ’s College, Cambridge, says the NSC alone won’t make a competitive application. It suggests International A Levels, the IB Diploma, or the NSC with level 7 results in relevant subjects plus five Advanced Placement scores of 5.
Is the IEB matric recognised internationally?
The IEB sets and marks NSC exams and Umalusi issues the certificate, so universities abroad assess it as an NSC. Some ask for more: the University of Groningen wants an IEB Advanced Programme or Further Studies certificate in mathematics, physics or English alongside a 70% NSC average. CambriLearn enrols IEB learners in Grades 10 and 11, and Grade 12 opens in 2028.
What is an International GCSE equivalent to in South Africa?
No single South African grade matches it. For university entry, USAf counts International GCSE subjects passed at C or above as part of a combination with higher-level subjects, such as the A Level and AS Level routes in this guide.
Can my child write matric outside South Africa?
Not with CambriLearn. Your child has to write CAPS, KABV and IEB Grade 12 finals at an approved centre in South Africa. Your child can sit Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge exams at registered centres in many countries.
Which pathway suits a family that might move abroad?
The international pathways travel most easily. Your child can sit Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge exams at registered centres in many countries, and Score Academy Online assesses the US K-12 pathway online. An NSC suits a family set on a South African university, but your child must write the Grade 12 finals in South Africa.
Map your child’s route with a consultant
Tell us your child’s grade, curriculum and the universities on the list. In a free fifteen-minute call, a consultant checks the subjects and exams that keep those options open.
Sources and review
We checked these sources on 27 October 2026. Entry rules change and differ by course, so confirm them with each university before your child chooses subjects.
- Government Gazette 31231, minimum admission requirements for programmes that require an NSC (11 July 2008)
- USAf Matriculation Board, requirements for exemption certificates
- Cambridge International and USAf, University recognition in South Africa (December 2020)
- Umalusi, accreditation of private assessment bodies
- University of Pretoria, applicants with international qualifications
- University of Leeds, entry requirements for South Africa
- University of Manchester, South Africa entry requirements
- Christ’s College, Cambridge, applicants from South Africa
- University of Groningen, bachelor’s entry requirements for South Africa
CambriLearn is accredited by Cognia, is an approved Pearson Edexcel centre and is registered with SACAI and the IEB. CambriLearn is not a registered Cambridge school, and International British students sit Cambridge exams as private candidates. Sister school Score Academy Online delivers the US K-12 pathway, holds Cognia accreditation and offers NCAA-approved courses.