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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Diploma in Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
82086  Diploma in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Commerce and Computer College 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Diploma  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

With the ever-increasing demand and growth of the IT industry in South Africa, and specifically in the KwaZulu-Natal region, it is becoming more and more a realization for the need of good and skilled IT workers. For example, the HSRC's Human Resources Development Review, which drew together eminent scholars in South Africa and which produced an omnibus report that evaluated both demand and supply-side aspects of the economy in general and the labour market in particular, clearly indicated a huge shortage of IT workers with programming skills. A recent CCSA survey with 35 IT and financial institutions in the Durban area also revealed a substantial shortage of well-trained IT workers. The survey also indicated a strong need for the up-skilling of current workers especially in the programming field.

Enquiries at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Durban Institute of Technology have revealed that both public institutions have more or less reached capacity in terms of their lecturing and facility provision and that it is unlikely that they will be able to accommodate a substantial increase in IT student numbers within the next three years.

Keeping the shortage of skilled workers and local training capacity limitations in mind, the CCSA has worked closely with the IT industry, to design and deliver the proposed programme that incorporates the following salient characteristics:
  • Besides providing the students with a solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of the field of Information Technology, the curriculum includes a significant experiential component, culminating in an industry project which forms part of the final year curriculum.
  • Also included in the curriculum are a wide spectrum of more generalized business related learning modules, such as Business English, Business Numeracy and Managing the IT and Software Environments - all elements that are regarded as essential to competent functioning in today`s business environment.
  • Coupled with the curriculum model, the classes are small and thus the resulting staff: student ratio of 1:28 makes it possible for students to receive individual and specialised attention.
  • In addition, the CCSA's IT infrastructure is adequate to sustain this qualification with a student: PC ratio of 1:1, a well-established networking infrastructure, internet access for research and online libraries and IntraWebs to provide a surplus amount of resources to allow students the ability to develop and growth technically and as well-rounded individuals. (Having already obtained the ISETT SETA accreditation, the CCSA strongly believe that it has the technical infrastructure and skills to successfully implement the proposed programme).

    The CCSA hopes that by means of the programme that it will be able to contribute to regional and national goals in a variety of ways, including:
  • Broadening access to and success in higher education.
  • Encouragement of social responsibility.
  • Ensuring that students will be employable on graduation.
  • Ensuring that students will have the knowledge base to continue with further learning.
  • Delivering well-rounded individuals with independent critical thinking and IT skills that can cope with the demands of a post-modern world of work.

    Rationale:

    The programme provides a different and needed model of higher education in this discipline, some of its characteristics being:
  • As well as providing the students with a solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main concepts of the field of Information Technology, the curriculum includes a significant experiential component, culminating in an industry project which forms part of the final year curriculum.
  • Also included in the curriculum are a range of more generalized modules, such as Business English and Introduction to Business Management, which are regarded as essential to competent functioning in today's business environment.
  • Coupled with the curriculum model described above, the classes are small and thus the resulting staff-student ratio makes it possible for students to receive individual and specialized attention.
  • The result is a well-rounded graduate who, on successful completion of the curriculum, has the option either of entering the world of work immediately, or of continuing with further study in the field of Information Technology.

    Further, the Programme contributes to regional and national goals in a variety of ways, including:
  • Broadening access to and success in higher education through flexible entry and fixed exit standards and through the inclusion of academic support components.
  • Recognition of multiple exit points.
  • Inclusion of certain generic competencies.
  • Encouragement of social responsibility.
  • Ensuring that students will be employable on graduation, but at the same time will have the knowledge base to continue with further learning. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Recognition of Prior Learning is recognized in the following ways:
  • A student, who has completed a specific module/subject, may apply for credit for that module/subject.
  • A student, who has completed the equivalent of a specific module/subject either at the institution or at another recognized higher education institution, may apply for exemption from that module/subject.

    Access to the Qualification:
  • National Senior Certificate giving access to Diploma study.
  • Relevant and proven work experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All the modules are compulsory.

    Modules on NQF Level 5:
  • Business English.
  • Business Numeracy.
  • Information Technology Skills.
  • PC Hardware.
  • Systems Software.
  • Programming 1.

    Modules on NQF Level 6:
  • Managing the IT Environment.
  • Operating Systems - Design and Implementation.
  • Systems Analysis and Design.
  • Computer Architecture.
  • Programming 2.
  • E-Commerce.
  • Database Management Systems.

    Modules on NQF Level 7:
  • Software Engineering.
  • Network Architecture and Design.
  • Programming 3.
  • Real-world project. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Install and maintain PCs, their Operation Systems and various software packages.

    2. Develop business/software applications using various business application tools, programming languages and databases.

    3. Design and set up a computer/network architecture.

    4. Complete a real-world project.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Operation Systems and software packages are installed and upgraded efficiently.
  • Desktop computer problems are correctly diagnosed and resolved.
  • Documents are created, modified, managed, printed and deleted using a series of software packages.
  • The various concepts associated with operation systems design are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A basic website is developed using the HTML language.
  • A functional database is created.
  • Business applications are developed using Visual Basic, C++ and Java.
  • SQL is demonstrated to be proficiency.
  • Database functions are demonstrated (create, modify and delete records and files).
  • E-commerce concepts and technologies are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The design features and methodologies used to develop business computing systems are explained.
  • Network topologies, classifications and protocols are explained.
  • Various network management tools are used correctly and efficiently.
  • The ways in which the IT environment can be management are explained with examples.
  • Common printer problems and errors are resolved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The organisation's need or problem is correctly analysed.
  • Possible solutions are researched.
  • The software solution is designed.
  • The software solution is developed.
  • Official confirmation and feedback documents from the organisation are presented.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The institution practices an integrated system of assessment, in terms of which students are assessed on an ongoing basis. Students are required to complete class tests, assignments (including practical work and projects) and examinations, the results of which count towards the final mark for each module. The components of the final mark are determined separately for each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This programme has been compared to programmes offered by other international colleges and universities. The programme structures are similar to those offered elsewhere.

    An on-line comparison of the Diploma in Information Systems and Professional Computing offered at ABMA (Association of Business Managers and Administrators (UK - United Kingdom and throughout Europe) and this programme reveals that both programmes attempts to provide Learners with a well rounded knowledge base in Information Technology. Both programmes offer modules in Programming, Database Management, Information Systems, Systems Analysis and Design, Operating Systems and various commonly used End User Applications such as Word Processors.

    This programme allows for certain external/International ICDL examination to be undertaken. This qualification has also been compared to the popular Microsoft Solutions Developer Certification Programme (MCSD). Both the MCSD and this qualification incorporate similar modules and compare very closely to one another and thus allow learners to undertake Microsoft's international examinations concurrently.

    This qualification certainly matches and challenges these popular international certifications. This qualification provides the best practice for learners as it not only incorporates NQF requirements but allows them to study from courseware of international equivalence and prepare themselves effectively for both national and international examinations at a fraction of the training costs. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    In terms of Horizontal Articulation a student who wishes to transfer to another programme within the institution will be given credit for relevant modules successfully completed towards the programme.

    Students who, having completed certain modules in the programme and wish to transfer horizontally to another tertiary level institution, are able to apply successfully for exemption from relevant modules on the basis of modules passed at the institution. One of the objectives of the CCSA's rigorous external moderation and examination procedure, and of its ongoing interaction with academic staff of other tertiary level institutions, is to ensure that the content and standard of the CCSA curriculum is such that students will have the opportunity for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal articulation:
  • National Diploma: Information Technology offered by the:
    > University of Johannesburg.
    > Tshwane University of Technology.
    > Durban University of Technology.
    > Central University of Technology.
  • Diploma: Information Technology offered by:
    > Damelin.
    > CTI.
  • Diploma: Information Management offered by the Independent Education Group.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce: Information Management offered by the:
    > University of Johannesburg.
    > University of Stellenbosch.
    > University of KwaZulu-Natal.
    > UNISA.
  • Bachelor of Technology: Information Management offered by the:
    > Tshwane University of Technology.
    > Central University of Technology.

    With regard to vertical articulation, a student who wishes to proceed to postgraduate studies at another higher education institution, having completed the programme, should be able to do so based on the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the programme, provided, of course, that his/her academic performance has been of the required standard. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All final assessments at all levels of the curriculum are moderated by academic staff of public higher education institutions or by appropriately qualified industry practitioners. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.