To become a foundation phase teacher in South Africa you need a professional teaching qualification that specialises in the foundation phase. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) directs new entrants to the four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Foundation Phase Teaching. The policy also describes the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) as an NQF level 7 qualification that follows a degree. You must then register with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) before any school may employ you.
Foundation phase teaching means teaching Grade R to Grade 3.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- A BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching (at least 480 credits, NQF level 7), the route DHET directs new entrants to
- For degree entry: a National Senior Certificate with at least a bachelor’s admission level, plus the language, mathematics and APS minimums set by your chosen university
- A Home Language specialisation in one official language plus English First Additional Language
- SACE registration before you can be employed as an educator
- A valid police clearance certificate no older than six months for SACE registration
Education and Subject Requirements
The national rules for teacher qualifications are in the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Revised Policy on the Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (2015). It describes the BEd as at least 480 credits with exit at NQF level 7 and the PGCE as an NQF level 7 qualification of at least 120 credits. A DHET communique says all new entrants intending to become foundation phase teachers (qualified to teach Grades R to 3) should register for the BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching.
The national minimum for entry to a bachelor’s degree is an NSC with at least 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution plus an achievement rating of 4 (50-59%) or better in four 20-credit NSC subjects. Institutions may add their own requirements, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.
Language is the most specific requirement. The policy says all foundation phase students must specialise in Home Language teaching in one of the official languages, together with English First Additional Language teaching. The combination you choose affects what else you study. For example, if you choose Afrikaans as Home Language and English as First Additional Language, you must also study an African language at basic conversational level, and the policy sets further rules for English Home Language students. Your degree certificate is endorsed with your language of learning and teaching and your language of conversational competence, so schools can see which languages you are qualified to teach in.
Each university sets its own APS and subject levels. For example, Wits lists an APS of 37 or more for its BEd Foundation Phase Teaching, with English (Home Language or First Additional Language) at level 5 and Mathematics at level 4, Mathematical Literacy at level 5 or Technical Mathematics at level 5. Check each institution’s current prospectus.
If you already hold a degree and are considering a PGCE, note that the Department of Basic Education advises graduates not to register for a PGCE for the Foundation and Intermediate Phases, because these phases need specialised training over the full four years.
Age, Fitness, Licence and Background Requirements
The professional licence for teaching is SACE registration. Under section 21 of the South African Council for Educators Act, no person may be employed as an educator by any employer unless registered with the council. SACE may register an applicant provisionally on conditions it sets, and a provisional registration lapses if the requirements are not met in the specified period.
SACE’s registration requirements call for a valid police clearance certificate (not a name clearance) that is not older than six months at the time you submit.
SACE’s registration requirements and the teacher education policy do not set a minimum or maximum age or a medical fitness standard for foundation phase teachers. Individual universities and employers may have their own conditions so check with them.
Documents and Evidence Required
For your university application you normally need your ID, your National Senior Certificate or latest results, and any previous academic records. SACE registers professionally qualified teachers online through the eservices.gov.za portal and asks for:
- Your ID (both sides of a smart ID card)
- Your senior certificate, NSC or NCV level 4 certificate
- Your professional teaching qualification and a complete academic record
- A police clearance certificate no older than six months
- Proof of payment of the registration fee
SACE lists a registration fee of R200. If you are not a South African citizen, SACE asks for a valid passport plus a work permit, permanent residence, refugee or asylum permit valid for six months or more when you submit, and a SAQA evaluation report with a QR code for a foreign qualification.
Application and Selection Process
- Choose the four-year BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching, the route DHET directs new entrants to. If you already hold a degree, read the PGCE note above first.
- Decide on your Home Language specialisation.
- Compare universities’ foundation phase courses, APS minimums, closing dates and whether they teach on campus or by distance learning, then apply directly to each institution.
- Apply for funding separately. The Funza Lushaka bursary is applied for online.
- After you graduate, get a police clearance certificate, register fully with SACE, and apply for posts.
The number of modules in a foundation phase degree is not set nationally. The policy fixes credits instead: at least 480 for the BEd and 120 for the PGCE. Each university divides those credits into its own modules. For one institution’s curriculum and module rules, see our page on Unisa requirements for teaching foundation phase.
On funding, the Department of Basic Education’s Funza Lushaka application notes for 2027 say applicants must be South African citizens with a valid ID, first-time applicants must be under 30, and applications are online only. For the BEd Foundation Phase it asks for a bachelor’s pass with Mathematics level 3 (40% and above) or Mathematical Literacy level 4 (50% and above), plus Home Language level 4 (50% and above). These are bursary criteria, not general university admission requirements, and the PGCE is not funded for 2027.
If you already teach Grade R, the policy sets the Diploma in Grade R Teaching (NQF level 6) as the minimum qualification for Grade R teachers, and that diploma is not meant for first-time entrants. DHET directs students with a bachelor’s pass to the BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is foundation phase teaching?
It is teaching children in Grade R to Grade 3, trained through the BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching under DHET policy.
What are the foundation phase subjects?
Official policy requires foundation phase students to specialise in Home Language teaching and English First Additional Language teaching. The full subject list for Grades R to 3 is set out in the Department of Basic Education’s CAPS document for the foundation phase, which your university programme is built around.
What is the curriculum for foundation phase?
Schools follow the Department of Basic Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Grades R to 3. Confirm the current subjects and content on the Department’s website.
Which grades does foundation phase teaching cover?
A foundation phase teacher is qualified to teach from Grade R to Grade 3.
Can I teach foundation phase with a PGCE?
The Department of Basic Education advises graduates not to register for the PGCE for the Foundation Phase, because this phase needs specialised training over the full four years, and the PGCE is not funded through Funza Lushaka for 2027. Confirm with a university and SACE before you enrol.
Do I need Mathematics for a foundation phase degree?
Not always. Wits, for example, accepts Mathematics at level 4, Mathematical Literacy at level 5 or Technical Mathematics at level 5, and the requirement differs between institutions. Funza Lushaka asks for Mathematics level 3 or Mathematical Literacy level 4.
Can I teach foundation phase in any language?
Your qualification is endorsed with the language you are qualified to teach in and your language of conversational competence. Every foundation phase student must specialise in one official language as a Home Language and English as a First Additional Language.
Can I teach before I am registered with SACE?
No employer may employ you as an educator unless you are registered with SACE.
Teacher qualification rules are set by the Department of Higher Education and Training, registration by SACE and school curriculum and bursaries by the Department of Basic Education. Confirm current requirements with them and with your chosen university before you apply. See job requirements and browse all career requirements.