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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: 

Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
71637  Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice 
ORIGINATOR
The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  129  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

This Qualification is an entry level qualification which is vocational and industry orientated. It encapsulates introductory knowledge in the areas of general business administration and project management and will prepare the successful graduate for a junior position in the general business environment.

The cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques which are incorporated in this qualification will equip students to advance their studies in higher education and provide them with the basic business management skills needed for employment and progress in business administration.

In addition the inclusion of the Experiential Learning module provides the student with the basic practical knowledge which can be applied in an occupation or role in the workplace.

The purpose of this Qualification is to equip students with foundational knowledge and skills to either be employed in a small business or a large corporation. This qualification provides a broad introductory understanding of the establishment and management of a business, incorporating the following skills:
  • Project Management.
  • Administration.
  • The ability to be employed in a computerized environment.

    This programme provides both a practical and a theoretical foundation. Students acquiring the qualification will demonstrate competence at NQF Level 5 in the area of management and will develop a related range of fundamental and core competences.

    To meet its objectives the qualification will include essential fundamental modules such as:
  • Business Communication.
  • Business Calculation.
  • End User Computing.

    The inclusion of these modules creates a platform from which more career focused modules can be formed, preparing the students for the business environment. These modules include:
  • Introduction to Pastel Accounting.
  • Business Management.
  • Introduction to Public Relations.
  • Introduction to Project Management.
  • Introduction to Ecommerce.
  • Accounting A.
  • Introduction to Pastel Accounting.
  • Project Administration.
  • Experiential learning (A module which will provide the students with the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge developed in this programme in a simulated workplace environment).

    Rationale:

    In designing the Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice at NQF Level 5, priority was given to the needs of the South African economy and the demand for qualified office administrators and project coordinators.

    This qualification provides the basic skills required for employment in the business environment, whilst creating a learning pathway to successful candidates who did not initially meet the criteria for entry into diploma studies and continuation with further studies.

    This programme also takes into account the need for computer literacy and the increasingly computerized environment that business operates in.

    Successful graduates may find employment as:
  • Assistants to project managers.
  • Project Coordinators/administrators.
  • Managers' personal assistants.
  • Office administrators.
  • Payroll clerks and other positions in general administration. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This is an entry Level Qualification at NQF Level 5, as such there is no prior learning required other than a National Senior Certificate or learning associated with an NQF Level 4 qualification including a rating of 2 (30-39%) in English.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    RPL for formal learning (credit recognition):

    Students may apply for credits or exemptions for subjects already passed in-house or at other recognized institutions. The IIE RPL Policy (IIE010) and the IIE Academic Credit Policy (IIE004) guide this process.

    RPL for informal and non-formal learning :

    Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competences acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the RPL process.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Admission requirements for this programme are as follows:
  • National Senior Certificate with English (as a language of teaching and learning) with a rating of 2 (30-39%).
  • Senior Certificate completed prior to 2008.
  • Age of 23 at registration and three years appropriate work experience.

    The IIE widens access to learning to these students by applying the minimum statutory entrance requirements. Furthermore students who do not meet all the stated entrance requirements may be granted Senate's Discretionary Conditional Exemption where justified. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Level: NQF Level 5.
    Credits: 129.

    Learning components:

    Fundamental learning (48 credits):
  • Business Calculations.
  • Business Communications C.
  • End User Computing A.
  • Experiential learning 1.

    Core learning (81 credits):
  • Business Management 1A.
  • Business Management 1B.
  • Introduction to Public Relations.
  • Introduction to Project Management.
  • Introduction to Ecommerce.
  • Accounting A.
  • Pastel Accounting.
  • Project Administration.

    The programme is Full Time/Part Time.

    The minimum duration of the programme for Full Time (1 year).
    The minimum duration for the programme for Part Time (2 years). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On achieving the qualification, a student will be able to:
  • Demonstrate effective use of a personal computer and associate equipment and software packages.
  • Apply the basic principles of business management in a business environment.
  • Apply mathematical skills in a business environment.
  • Communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment.
  • Explain the role and function of the Internet in a business environment.
  • Explain and apply the basic principles of accounting in a computerized business environment.
  • Explain and apply the basic principles of project management to perform related administrative functions.
  • Explain the role, function and use of project management tools in a business environment.
  • Explain the importance of the role and function of public relations in a business to support the effective management of projects with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Document the output and communication of a project.
  • Explain the role and value of administration to support management functions in a business context. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • The effective use of a personal computer and associated understanding of relevant software packages in a business environment is demonstrated.
  • Management functions and principles are accurately identified and applied in a business environment.
  • Demonstrate the application of mathematical principles, concepts and skills in a business environment.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in a business environment.
  • The role and function of the internet is clearly explained and the utilization of the internet as a marketing tool is identified.
  • The basic principles of accounting and the associated understanding of accounting is explained and used to produce simple financial statements and reports.
  • The role and function of project management tools is clearly explained and the skills required to use a project management tool is demonstrated.
  • The importance, role and function of public relations in a business to support the effective management of projects with internal and external stakeholders is explained.
  • A team's project and communication are adequately documented to meet administration needs.
  • The role and value of administration to support management functions in a business context is explained and demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd practices a system of integrated assessment, in terms of which students are assessed using different methods and instruments allowing the illustration of applied competence across modules.
    Assessment of competence is done via a fair, valid, reliable and transparent system of integrated formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures. The integrated assessment practice assesses the integration of theory with practice as well as the transfer of skills during the experiential learning component. These techniques thus assess applied competence, demonstrated understanding and achievement of outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared with both local and international qualifications.

    Local Providers:

    This qualification was compared to local qualifications and compared favourably.

    Name of local provider; Qualification offered; Status:

    Midrand Graduate Institute; Certificate: Business Administration; Registered.
    ICESA City Campus; Advanced Certificate: Accounting and Business Administration; Registered.
    University of Natal; Certificate: Business Administration; Registered.

    International Providers:

    This qualification was also compared to an International qualification.

    Name of International Provider; Qualification offered; Status:

    West London College (UK); Certificate: Business Administration (Accredited by the BAC).

    In general this qualification compares well with its local and international counterparts, the only differences are the NQF Level structures which make direct comparison difficult. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The IIE is committed to the principles of lifelong learning and opening access to higher education. A student who transfers from one to another programme within the IIE will be given credit at the discretion of the Senate for relevant modules successfully completed.

    This Higher Certificate would thus allow articulation with existing and new diplomas and the possibility of credit transfer in some cases. In particular, a natural progression within the Business field would be articulation with the:
  • Diploma in Business Management.
  • Diploma in Business Management and Entrepreneurship.
  • Diploma in Marketing Management.
  • Diploma in Public Relations.
  • The New Diploma in Information Technology Management. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The system of internal and external moderation with its feedback loop assists all teaching and assessing staff to upgrade their competence in their subject field. Lecturing staff members are also regularly evaluated in terms of teaching competence and assessment, both through student evaluation and peer review processes. Subsequent support for improvement in this area is available to all lecturing staff through various workshop and staff capacity improvement programmes.

    Qualifications of External Examiners And Moderators:

    The criteria for the appointment of External Moderators is as follows:
  • For courses at the exit level this moderation is to be carried out by someone not employed by the IIE.
  • Moderators must hold a relevant qualification one level higher than the exit level of the qualification they are moderating. Moderators must be able to demonstrate competency in assessment.
  • For practical subjects, the external moderator needs to have relevant and extensive industry/educational experience in the specific field of study.
  • For theoretical subjects, the external moderator needs to have relevant educational experience and needs to have a qualification higher than the level which they are moderating.
  • External moderators need to be drawn from a variety and range of backgrounds and territories.
  • External moderators need to be approved by the relevant Head of Programme.

    Internal Moderation:

    Procedures regulating internal moderation (taken from IIE policy IIE009):

    The role of moderation is to ensure that assessments are conducted appropriately and fairly and are a valid indication of a student's performance. It is also a key element of Quality Management across all IIE campuses. Lecturers who are involved in the assessment of learning outcomes need to be able to account for all levels of assessment including assignments, examinations, portfolios etc. Moderation of assessment is formalised within the institution on both an internal and external level through the IIE Quality Management System as per IIE Policies IIE001 and IIE009.

    Feedback of internal moderation:

    Feedback is provided to respective lecturers and academic staff across the campuses through a moderation report.

    External Moderation:

    The Assessment of students at the Exit Level of a qualification:

    The IIE ensures the quality of exit level qualifications through a stringent process of internal and external control as set out in the IIE Assessment Policy IIE009.

    External moderators are only appointed to moderate Exit-Level students in all qualifications. External moderators are appointed according to their relevant academic qualifications, assessment experience and industry experience.

    The findings of external moderators are mediated by internal assessment procedures. Regional and National Moderation Report meetings provide a platform to act on the findings of the External moderators in a positive and constructive manner.

    External Moderators' reports:

    External moderators are required to submit formal reports using the given template. External moderators are asked to report on the following:
  • The consistency and fairness of assessment.
  • The assessment process.
  • The overall standard of work.
  • The standard of work in relation to other courses of the same nature.

    External moderators' reports are forwarded to the respective Heads of Programme (HOP) and National Heads of Department. These reports are presented at the end of year Moderation Report meeting and are used for Academic Planning meetings. The HOP ensures that all pertinent feedback is taken into account for the following year's programme and curriculum. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Registration of Higher Education assessors with the EDTP SETA is not required by the HEQC.

    For an applicant to register as an assessor for this qualification, the applicant should have at least a relevant academic qualification one level higher than the exit level of the qualification. 

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

    NOTES 
    The provider, Independent Institute of Education, is accredited to offer this qualification in both Contact and Distance Learning modes.

    .
    Assessment Methods and Instruments:

    Different assessment instruments for this programme.

    Instrument; Methods: Observation; Product evaluation; Questioning written/oral:

    Portfolios; no; yes; no.
    Simulations; no; yes; no.
    Written examinations; no; no; yes.
    Practical examinations; no; no; yes.
    Oral examinations; no; no; no.
    Assignments; no; yes; yes.
    Classrooms presentations; yes; no; no.
    Participation in group discussions; yes; no; no.
    Mid-term tests; no; no; yes.
    Class tests; no; no; yes.
    Case studies; no; no; yes.
    Practical exercises/demonstrations; no; no; yes.
    Projects; no; no; yes. 

    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.
     
    1. The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 


    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.