School qualifications we translate.
This page mainly serves foreign school-leaving qualifications being presented in South Africa.
- School-leaving certificates
- Secondary education certificates
- Baccalaureate-type qualifications
- Leaving examination certificates
- Senior secondary certificates
- Foreign equivalents of Matric or the National Senior Certificate
Official examining-body documents.
For foreign qualification evaluation, SAQA requires school-leaving certificates issued by the official examining body in the country of origin, rather than ordinary school-generated documents.
Send the certificate from the examining or certification authority, and we will translate that document. If you only have a school-issued record, check whether the evaluating body will accept it before ordering a translation.
School leaving certificate vs school report.
School-leaving certificate
- What it records
- Confirms completion of a national school-exit level.
School report
- What it records
- Records achievement at a particular school or grade, and is not automatically the same type of qualification document.
SAQA specifically distinguishes completed school-leaving records from school reports and grade-completion letters for school-going children.
Foreign qualifications in South Africa
Translation for SAQA.
Where the qualification documents are not in English, SAQA requires the original-language documents together with the appropriate official translation. The translation does not replace the source certificate; both are submitted.
Using South African records abroad
South African school records used abroad.
DIRCO’s legalisation guidance distinguishes educational-document verification from translation and legalisation. A South African school record used abroad may need verification by the relevant education authority, a translation, and an Apostille or authentication, depending on the destination. Confirm the requirements first.
Related document translations
Matric Certificate Translation
Matric certificate translation for university admission and employment abroad.
Statement of Results Translation
Statement of results translation for admissions and credential evaluation.
Academic Transcript Translation
Academic transcript translation for university admission and credential evaluation.
Diploma Translation
Diploma translation for further study, licensing and employment abroad.
Need a school leaving certificate translated?
Send us every page of the certificate, including the reverse if it carries grading or certification information, and tell us whether it is for SAQA, a university or another institution.