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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Human Settlement Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119049  Higher Certificate in Human Settlement Development 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0333/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

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:
The main purpose of the Higher Certificate in Human Settlement Development is to provide a theoretical and practical knowledge foundation to enable the acquisition of the relevant knowledge, skills and attributes to operate at all three tiers of government, nationally, provincially and locally, in matters specifically related to Human Settlement Development. To enable productivity and reliability of human settlement systems the qualification focuses on developing project management concepts to inform relevant practices and processes related to informal settlement upgrading and the evaluation of associated projects and processes.

The qualification endeavours to develop the underpinning attributes that are core to the field and the possible career opportunities, such as the role of citizenship in housing and human settlement development programmes within government. The substantive knowledge included in this qualification enables a focus on the upgrading of informal settlements, through the development and upliftment of low-income human settlements, engagement with property development and policies related to sustainable human settlement and the development of these.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Explain relevant project management concepts and skills such as planning, programming, and cost control.
  • Explain the level of Housing Chapters of Integrated Development Planning (IDPs) in using the knowledge of sustainable human settlements and integrated development planning.
  • Use knowledge of relevant construction management principles to argue for low-income human settlement development.
  • Apply critical citizenship in housing and human settlement development programmes and projects.
  • Communicate how methods and tools of monitoring and evaluation influence the efficient and effective implementation of human settlement policies and programmes within an international and South African context.
  • Apply theories, concepts, methods and practices of efficient and effective informal settlement upgrading in programmes and projects.
  • Demonstrate how the knowledge and theory of social housing policies and legislation influence the establishment and management of social housing institutions and programmes.
  • Explain the role of principles of property development and property investment in the management of social housing and residential properties.

    Rationale:
    The institution due to its geographic position is serving a province with a huge housing problem and with a need for knowledgeable and competent innovators in the field of human settlement development. The availability of suitably qualified human resources is of cardinal importance to ensure high levels of productivity and reliability of human settlement systems.
    Employees and elected government officials working in the field of human settlement development are an educational varied group, which includes incumbents without formal education and formal education with varying levels of formal education. The qualifications of many of these incumbents are not in human settlement development and management fields or only in related fields to human settlement development. To fully understand the field and be able to work with the needs and dilemmas in the field of human settlement development a knowledge base and skill set of the field is required. This created a gap for a grounding formal qualification that can allow persons from all different education levels to enter and be accommodated.

    The demand for the qualification in human settlement development is supported by the number of takers (246) (2015 - 2017) in the three tiers of government for the 6 Human Settlement Development Short Learning Programmes currently offered by the Department of Building and Human Settlement Development in the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology.

    A specific need for training of employees in the field of human settlement development without further qualifications and with a qualification but not in the field or related fields of human settlement development became evident during the offering of the short learning programmes and in discussions with parliamentarians and local government employees. The target market for this qualification will be practitioners in the field of human settlement development and management in the three tiers of government. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV) NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Project Management, 15 Credits.
  • Theory of Land-use Planning and Management, 15 Credits.
  • Sustainable Human Settlements Policy and Planning, 15 Credits.
  • Construction Management for Public Managers, 15 Credits.
  • Managing Public Participation in Housing and Human Settlement Developments, 15 Credits.
  • Informal Settlement Upgrading Theories and Practices, 15 Credits.
  • Property Investment and Development, 15 Credits.
  • Social Housing Facilitation and Management, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to explain relevant project management concepts and skills such as planning, programming and cost control.
    2. Ability to explain the level of Housing Chapters of Integrated Development Planning (IDPs) in using the knowledge of sustainable human settlements and integrated development planning.
    3. Use knowledge of relevant construction management principles to argue for low-income human settlement development.
    4. Apply critical citizenship in housing and human settlement development programmes and projects.
    5. Communicate how methods and tools of monitoring and evaluation influence the efficient and effective implementation of human settlement policies and programmes within an international and South African context.
    6. Apply theories, concepts, methods and practices of efficient and effective informal settlement upgrading in programmes and projects.
    7. Demonstrate how the knowledge and theory of social housing policies and legislation influence the establishment and management of social housing institutions and programmes.
    8. Apply the role of principles of property development and property investment in the management of social housing and residential properties. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Define and explain the different project management concepts and skills by providing the elements making up the concepts and skills.
  • Explain the level of Housing Chapters of IDPs with reference to land use planning in South Africa, special planning in the 21st century, normative concerns informing layout planning and land use management systems.
  • Provide an argument using the role of the construction industry, parties in the construction contract construction project phases, planning techniques, estimating, budgeting, tender process, tender adjudication, cost control, quality management, payment certificates and construction health and safety to motivate low-income human settlement development.
  • Display critical citizenship in the application of public participation, community participation, community empowerment, community development, social facilitation, active citizenship, critical citizenship principles and enablers in the programme/project.
  • Explain the influence of methods and tools of monitoring and evaluating in relation to sustainable human settlement concepts, international and South African policies and legislation pertaining to settlements, different housing subsidy programmes in a South African context.
  • Identify and apply norms and standards for the development of residential structures, mixed development programmes, inclusionary housing development programmes and human settlement finance options and integrated planning.
  • Apply theories, concepts, methods and practices of efficient and effective informal settlement upgrading in programmes/projects.
    >Explain the influence on the establishment and management of social housing institutions and programmes pertaining to knowledge and theory of social housing policies and legislation.
  • Explain the role of principles of property development and property investment in the management of social housing and residential properties referring to real property valuation, investment, development and management, factors influencing real property, value, investment, financing and management.
  • Explore the impact of management on retaining real property and investment value, principles and best practices in real property development, investment, finance and management, lease agreements and real property development and management planning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Internationally most qualifications are at the postgraduate level or undergraduate level. Institutions in Australia and Ghana only offer Human Settlement as either a year-long module or a 3-week short course. International qualifications in the field of housing were examined to ensure that this qualification is comparable with qualification models and competencies required for learners at this level in the field of housing to assess similarities or contrasts in the qualifications. The qualifications and short courses offered in countries where the study was conducted were compared in terms of the scope, content, duration, and qualification levels to ascertain best practices.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: University of Queensland (UQ)
    Qualification Title: Course Human Settlements
    Number of Units: 2
    Admission requirements:
    As an introductory subject, no prior study of geography or planning is assumed. Learners from any degree qualification are welcome to take this course as an elective. Learners intending to major in geography and planning will find the course a fundamental building block for more specialised ones in subsequent years of study for geography majors, in planning and real estate and development.

    Purpose/Rationale:
    The qualification provides an overview and a basic understanding of the following: processes of urbanisation; models of urban form and structure; the role of cities as centres of production and consumption; cities as places to live, work and recreate; social polarisation in cities; the characteristics of human spatial behaviour in cities; and issues of urban governance and planning for sustainable urban development. These aims are achieved through understanding and reflection on the content of lectures and research and knowledge synthesis achieved in compilation of written materials.

    Similar to the South African qualification, on successful completion of the UQ qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Analyse and organise information and ideas and convey resultant ideas clearly and fluently in written, spoken, and drawn forms.
  • Interact effectively with others to work towards a common outcome.
  • Select and use the appropriate level, style and means of communication and to apply scholarly conventions
  • Work and to learn independently.
  • Interpret and evaluate information.
  • Apply critical reasoning to issues through independent thought and informed judgement in the field of human settlements in the study of human geography and planning.
  • Evaluate opinions, draw conclusions, and to reflect critically on the justification of those contributions in the field of human settlements in the study of human geography and planning.
  • Have a broad appreciation of other societies and cultures and diverse socio-economic and cultural settings in the study of human settlements, particularly in Australia and the rest of the world.
    Graduate Attributes: Successfully completing this course will contribute to the recognition of your attainment of the following UQ (Undergrad Pass) graduate attributes:

    Exit Level Outcomes:
  • A comprehensive and well-founded knowledge in the field of study.
  • An understanding of how other disciplines relate to the field of study.
  • An international perspective on the field of study.

    Qualification structure:
    The course examines changes in the economic and social fabric of cities and presents a series of planning problems and solutions. The latter half of the course looks at urban service analysis with major reviews of why geography is important in retailing, health care and education. Finally, a series of urban models are presented which help to describe and explain the basic functioning of cities and the behaviour of their residents.

    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules.
  • Introduction to evolution.
  • Nature of human settlements both in developed and developing societies.
  • Emphasis on economic and social functions of cities and their spatial form and structure.

    Assessment:
    The qualification uses both formative and summative assessment methods comprising of:
  • Take Home Exam during exam period.
  • End of Semester Exam Period.
  • Computer-based Assessment.
  • Online quiz 1 and 2.
  • Essay.

    Similarities:
  • Both the University of Queensland and the South African qualifications are similar in that they both deal with Human Settlement.
  • The assessment strategies for both qualifications are underpinned by integrated assessment strategies which are reflective and continuous and include formative and summative assessment methods.
  • Both the qualifications introduce learners to theories about human settlements and urbanisation, the growth of cities and their internal structure, form, and functioning. Characteristics of human settlements and trends in urbanisation are first illustrated in both developed and developing parts of the world.
  • Both the University of Queensland and the South African qualifications share similar exit level outcomes in that they will enable learners to understand key theories, models, and methods of analysis, particularly in a socio-economic context, in the study of human settlement.

    Differences:
  • The South African qualification is a one-year full qualification while the University of Queensland is a semester course or module within a qualification.
  • The admission requirements of both qualifications are different.
  • University of Queensland qualification has two units whereas the South African qualification has 120 credits.

    Country: Ghana
    Institution: University of Ghana
    Qualification Title: 1 year: History and Theory of Human Settlements
    Admission requirement:
  • History and Theory of Human Settlement 112

    Purpose:
    The development of a given society is a complex process and it can best be understood by examining the history of and theories behind the development of a given settlement. This course offers students an opportunity to examine these historical and theoretical aspects within the local context.

    Similarities:
  • The South African qualification is a one-year full qualification while the one from the Makerere University is a 1-year course or module within a qualification.
  • This qualification is similar to the South African qualification in that they both deal with Human Settlement.
  • Both qualifications share similar learning outcomes since at the end of the course the learners should be able to:
    >Understand the dynamics of human settlements development.
    >Analyse the growth trends of a human settlement.
    > Appreciate and reconcile the different land use pattern in a human settlement environment.
  • Teaching and learning pattern are the same for both qualifications in that both qualifications will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, illustrations, and group discussions.
  • Assessment for both qualifications will be done through continuous coursework/formative and final written

    examination. Continuous assessment will include assignments, tests, and practical exercises. A final examination will be offered at the end of the semester. Coursework will carry a total of 40% and a written examination will carry 60%.

    Differences:
    The outcomes and admission requirements of both qualifications are different. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Public Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Public Administration, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Project Management, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Public Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Public Administration, NQF Level 6.
  • Bachelor of Administration in Human Settlements Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.