South Africa's matric is "exactly where it should be", according to research comparing it with foreign qualifications, education monitoring body Umalusi said on Wednesday.

"The South African public can be reassured that the National Senior Certificate (NSC) is a good, solid, robust qualification," Elizabeth Burroughs, a senior manager at Umalusi, said in Johannesburg at the release of a report on the international standing of South Africa's matric.

Umalusi is a statutory body that monitors standards in education and training.

In 2009, Umalusi and Higher Education South Africa (Hesa) conducted research that evaluated the NSC in relation to international qualifications such as the Cambridge International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

The aim of their report was to establish if international qualifications were comparable to South Africa's qualifications, and what minimum requirements are for university admission.

Cobus Lotter, manager at Hesa, said that the research aimed to ultimately result in equitable admissions into university.

"You can't say that it's easier for this group [to get into university] than it is for that group."

He added that South Africa was the eighth most favourable university destination in the world.