BEd (Foundation Phase Education) at University of Stellenbosch

The Foundation Phase is the first phase of formal schooling in South Africa.

The aim of the BEd Foundation Phase program at the NWU (NQF Level 7), is to develop teachers who can demonstrate general educational principles as well as focused knowledge, skills, and competencies for teaching in Grade R to Grade Three.

Minimum admission requirements for BEd
• The Registrar will directly contact BEd applicants who have to write the NBT examinations
• An NSC or IEB aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Life Orientation)
• Mathematics 40% OR Mathematical Literacy 60%
AND Learners who were taught in English:
• English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 60% AND
• Afrikaans OR isiXhosa (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50% OR
Learners who were taught in Afrikaans:
• Afrikaans (Home Language or First Additional Language) 60% AND
• English OR isiXhosa (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50% BEd (Intermediate Phase Education): Further requirements depend on the school subjects that you want to teach.
Selection: Applicants who meet the BEd program’s minimum admission requirements, are selected according to the Faculty’s selection guidelines.

Admission requirements

For admission to the University you need:
• A National Senior Certificate or school-leaving certificate from the Independent Examination Board as certified by Umalusi with admission to bachelor’s degree studies; or
• A university exemption certificate issued by the South African Matriculation Board to students with other school qualifications.
Admission to bachelor’s degree studies requires that you obtain a mark of at least 4 (50-59%) in each of four designated university admission subjects.

Duration 4 years

How much do foundation phase teachers earn in SA?

Using data from salary database PayScale, the salary range for primary school teachers in South Africa is between R80,000 and R275,000 with the median sitting at R177,500. For high school teachers, pay increases, ranging between R120,000 and R300,000, with the median sitting at R200,000.

How much do Grade R teachers earn?

A mid-career Grade R Teacher with 4-9 years of experience earns an average salary of R 7 000, while an experienced Grade R Teacher with 10-20 years of experience makes on average R 7 800.

Grade R Teachers with more than 20 years of experience may earn more than R 7 700 per month.