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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma: Office Management and Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86447  Diploma: Office Management and Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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:

The qualifying learner will be able to operate as a personal executive assistant, office manager and office coordinator in a legal environment, business or other organisations.

Upon completion of the Diploma: Office Management and Technology, the qualified learner would have been actively engaged in becoming a well-rounded, educated person, prepared for further, more specific study and/or the work environment.

Rationale:

This qualification was designed to meet the industry need for personal, executive assistants, office managers and office coordinators in a legal environment, business and other organisations. It is designed to provide the learner with general skills for the office environment in all types of organisations. It provides the learner with skills to become competent in applying selected principles and techniques in supporting managers and who will be able to deal effectively with contemporary issues on an operational level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Learners should have good reading and writing skills in English.
  • Learners should be able to analyse and respond to a variety of texts.
  • Learners should be able to learn independently in an Open and Distance Learning context (ODL) with minimum support.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    All admission through Recognition of Prior Learning must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the Unisa Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

    This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.

    The Unisa Recognition of Prior Learning office supplies full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

    All such evidence will be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors. Unisa lecturers will act as assessors for Recognition of Prior Learning purposes.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Learners should be in possession of a National Senior Certificate (NSC) certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) granting access to Diploma studies, with an achievement rating of 3 or better (an E symbol on Senior Certificates), in four recognised National Senior Certificate 20 credits subjects containing English, at either Home, or First Additional, or Second Additional Level selected as a recognised 20 credits subject for the National Senior Certificate.

    Candidates with a relevant Higher Certificate will also be admitted to this Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All modules are worth 12 credits each.

    NQF Level 5 modules - 84 credits:

    Compulsory:
  • Business Administration 1A.
  • Information Administration I, Module A: Theory.
  • Information Administration I, Module B: Practical.
  • Business Management IA.
  • Communication I: Module 1.

    Electives (choose any two):
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management.
  • Commercial Law IA.
  • Financial Accounting IA.

    NQF Level 6 modules - 192 credits:

    Compulsory:
  • Business Management IB.
  • Business Administration IB.
  • Administrative Management IIA.
  • Administrative Management IIB.
  • Information Administration II, Module A: Theory.
  • Information Administration II, Module B: Practical.
  • Business Management IIA.
  • Business Management IIB.
  • Communication I, Module 2.
  • Communication II, Module 1.
  • Communication II, Module 2.

    Electives (choose any five):
  • Human Resource Provisioning (pre-requisite: Introduction to HRM).
  • Human Resource Maintenance and Retention (co-requisite: Human Resource Provisioning).
  • Performance Management Practices.
  • Commercial Law IB.
  • Commercial Law 2A.
  • Commercial Law 2B.
  • Financial Accounting 2A.
  • Financial Accounting 2B.
  • Financial Accounting 2C.

    NQF Level 7 modules - 84 credits:

    All Compulsory:
  • Administrative Management IIIA.
  • Administrative Management IIIB.
  • Information Administration III, Module A: Theory.
  • Information Administration III, Module B: Practical.
  • Business Management IIIA.
  • Business Management IIIB.
  • Administrative Practice III (pre-requisite: Administrative Management IIA and IIB). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Perform duties and responsibilities as office professionals in an organisation.
    2. Apply various computer packages in the office environment.
    3. Demonstrate a holistic overview and understanding of the establishment and functioning of an enterprise.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the human resources management function.
    5. Apply financial accounting principles in the office.
    6. Apply communication principles in the office environment.
    7. Apply legal principles in the business world regarding business contracts, competition and dispute resolution techniques.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification addresses all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Compare the centralisation and decentralisation of computer resources.
  • Evaluate local area networks, wide area networks and other current technologies and analyse how these have modernised the traditional workplace.
  • Analyse the role of management in a technological environment and relate this to management information systems and subsystems.
  • Prepare and create advanced Word Processing Documents.
  • Manipulate spreadsheets and graphics, and use of databases and macros.
  • Integrate Word Processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentations.
  • Calculate human resources needs.
  • Compile advertisements, job descriptions and job specifications.
  • Apply basic employment interview procedures.
  • Compile an induction programme.
  • Present on-the-job training for office staff.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the latest Basic Conditions of Service Act.
  • Apply leadership styles in simulated office situations.
  • Apply various techniques for solving administrative and staff related problems.
  • Apply a thorough knowledge of performance evaluation.
  • Compile and interpret morale measurement questionnaires.
  • Manage time and schedule office work.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the Labour Relations Act and apply basic labour relations principles and procedures.
  • Participate in grievance and disciplinary procedures in an informed way in an office environment.
  • Compile a procedure for a disciplinary hearing.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of administrative procedures in the office.

    Integrated Assessment:

    All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence.

    Formative Assessment:

    Learning and assessment are integrated. The study guides contain self-assessment tasks with feedback. The scheme of work includes a combination of written and multiple choice assignments based on the learning material which learners have to submit and for which they earn year marks. Learners are given feedback in the form of written comments in the assignments and suggested solutions and mark plans presented in a formal tutorial letter. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and a limited number of outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:

    Examinations of a representative selection of outcomes practiced and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Unisa forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly; for example, Unisa's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    The qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Diploma at NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:

    The qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Advanced Diploma or Bachelors Degree at NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Moderation is conducted internally through a system of second examiners. All exit level modules will, in addition, have an external examiner from another higher education institution.
  • Unisa lecturers act as assessor-practitioners to carry out the assessment of candidates for the core modules that make up this qualification. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The following criteria are specified for assessors concerning the core aspects of the qualification:
  • Assessors need experience in interpersonal skills, subject matter and assessment.
  • Assessors need to be competent in the planning and conducting of assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessment.
  • Subject matter experience must be well developed within the field of Management.
  • The assessor must at least have an appropriate Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma Business/Administrative management. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces qualification 62407, "National Diploma: Office Management and Technology", Level 6, 360 credits. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. University of South Africa 


    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.