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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: 

Diploma in Computer Applications 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88904  Diploma in Computer Applications 
ORIGINATOR
Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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
Diploma (Min 360)  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
Registered  EXCO 0733/25  2024-06-30  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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:
The Purpose of the Diploma: Computer Applications is to introduce learners to the design, analysis, and application of computers and computer-based systems. Through course and laboratory experiences, learners learn the principles essential to defining, designing, and building both general purpose and application-specific computer systems. Course work emphasises fundamental elements of electrical engineering and computer science as well as underlying circuit and logic technologies. The senior project provides a hands-on experience. The qualification prepares students for careers in industry or for graduate study.

A learner who has completed this qualification will be competent in providing professional, technical and developmental support in the computer industry.

Rationale:
The qualification prepares learners for careers in industry or for graduate study. A learner who has completed this qualification will be competent in providing professional, technical and developmental support in the computer industry.

This qualification is also intended to address the government's strategic decision to move toward a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) environment. This will create thousands of job opportunities in the technical and engineering field.

The Diploma: Computer Applications is also designed to address the five critical areas for building a developmental information society as identified by the South African Department of Communications:
  • E-Governance.
  • E-Skills Development.
  • SMME Development.
  • Information Ethics.
  • ICT Rural Development.

    The statistics of the National Scarce Skills list for South Africa, published by the Department of Labour identifies the competencies in this qualification as scarce and critical skills required by the country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for this qualification are assumed to have:
  • A foundational knowledge and understanding of Mathematics equivalent to NQF Level 4.
  • Basic information-gathering, analysis and presentation skills equivalent to NQF Level 4.
  • The capacity to learn from written material in the technical language of Mathematics and Science.
  • The ability to communicate what they have learned reliably, accurately, and comprehensively in the required medium of instruction (currently English).
  • The ability to begin to take responsibility for their own learning and its progress within a well-structured and managed learning environment.
  • The ability to evaluate their own performance.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    Formal Prior Learning:
    Prior accredited learning of a student at the Further Education and Training or Higher Education and Training level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules will be recognised if evidence can be produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for the Diploma in Computer Applications and, if appropriate, allow the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

    Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
    An applicant who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.
    An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, will be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel programmes after admission.

    Access to the Qualification:

    A learner wishing to enrol for this qualification must be in possession of one of the following:
  • National Senior Certificate with appropriate subject combinations and levels of achievement, granting admission to Diploma studies.
  • A Higher Certificate or Advanced Certificate in a cognate field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 and additional elective modules at NQF Levels 6 and 7. 34 Modules, totalling 360 Credits, must be completed to be awarded the qualification.

    Modules at NQF Level 5 - all compulsory:
  • Development Software 1, 10 Credits
  • Information Systems 1, 10 Credits
  • Commercial Programming 1, 10 Credits
  • Internet &Web Technology (HTML) 1, 10 Credits
  • Networks 1, 10 Credits
  • E-Commerce 1, 10 Credits
  • Business Communication 2,10 Credits
  • Information Systems 2, 10 Credits
  • Commercial Programming ( VB.Net) , 10 Credits
  • Internet &Web Technology (HTML) 2, 10 Credits
  • Networks 2, 10 Credits
  • E-Commerce 2, 10 Credits

    Total Credits at Level 5: 120

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6 (135 Credits):
  • Quantitative Techniques, 10 Credits
  • Information Systems (SDLC), 10 Credits
  • Technical Programming (Data Structures with C++), 10 Credits
  • Database Systems (DDLC), 10 Credits
  • Operating Systems, 10 Credits
  • Information Systems (SDLC), 10 Credits
  • Technical Programming (C++), 10 Credits
  • Database Systems (SQL), 10 Credits
  • Information Systems (IT Project Management), 10 Credits
  • Technical Programming (JAVA), 10 Credits
  • Information Systems ( IT Group Project ), 15 Credits
  • Technical Programming (JAVA), 10 Credits
  • Work Integrated Learning, 10 Credits

    Elective Modules at NQF Level 6 (40 Credits):
    Each subject comprises two modules. Choose any two subjects. All four modules must be completed to be awarded the credits:
  • Internet Programming 1 and 2, 20 Credits
  • Business Management 1 and 2, 20 Credits
  • Networks 1 and 2, 20 Credits

    Total Credits at NQF Level 6: 175

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7 (45 Credits):
  • Human Computer Interaction, 15 Credits
  • Data Warehousing and Data Mining, 15 Credits
  • Computer Security, 15 Credits

    Electives Modules at NQF Level 7 (20 Credits)
    Each subject comprises two modules. Choose any one subject. Both modules must be completed to be awarded the credits:
  • Commercial Programming 1 and 2, 20 credits
  • Networks 1 and 2, 20 credits
  • IT Strategic Management 1 and 2, 20 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying student will have the ability to:
  • Communicate, develop, maintain and implement software systems.
  • Design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints.
  • Use techniques, skills, and modern computer engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
  • Critically evaluate alternate assumptions, approaches, procedures, tradeoffs, and results related to systems engineering problems.
  • Design a variety of electronic and/or computer-based components and systems including communications and control systems.
  • Develop, implement and maintain hardware systems in the computing environment.
  • Implement and maintain network hardware and operating systems.
  • Describe and implement the theoretical principles supporting the computing environment.
  • Understand, install, configure, troubleshoot and upgrade workstations and servers in a networked environment.
  • Understand, install, configure, troubleshoot and upgrade common computer hardware and peripherals.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated way to prove learner competence:
  • Utilise state-of-the-art techniques for developing a specific application.
  • Link a specific application to a database application.
  • Solve problems through effective algorithms and sensible programme outcomes.
  • Submit projects demonstrating windows, objects and the integration of trends-of-the-day in real-time application.
  • Develop software through the use of software development tools.
  • Develop software and database systems in a team context.
  • Illustrate language and communication skills through precise formulation in projects and assignments.
  • Design amplifiers, filter and transmission systems.
  • Execute circuit analysis.
  • Distinguish between characteristics of different electrical quantities.
  • Identify correct measuring techniques.
  • Test, measure and plan troubleshooting of digital/electronic/electrical devices, advanced circuit or projects.
  • Design and construct a microprocessor utilising architecture, operation, memory requirement's management, interfacing, simulation, emulation, programming and peripheral components.
  • Describe the assembly, structure, operation and control programmes of microprocessors.
  • Design and implement digital circuits utilising binary concepts.
  • Describe, implement and fault-find hardware systems.
  • Utilise fault-finding and maintenance tools and equipment to solve problems.
  • Plan directory and security structures as well as daily operational requirements for a given case study.
  • Decide on topologies and hardware requirements for a given case study.
  • Perform the installation, configuration and fault-finding of specific systems.
  • Describe the fundamental principles of operating systems.
  • Install single and multi-tasking operating systems.
  • Demonstrate the fundamentals of digital electronic communication.
  • Provide solutions to electrical problems based on electrical theory.
  • Provide the documentation for an elementary research/development project.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Continual formative assessment is done so that students are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes 'integrated assessment(s)' which test the students' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole.

    Integrated assessments are designed to achieve:
  • An integration of the achievement of Exit-Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved.
  • The evaluation of learner performance which provides evidence of applied competence.
  • Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the students and which can be applied in the recognition of prior learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Exit-Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria of the qualification have been compared to similar qualifications in Australia and the United States of America (USA).

    Australia:

    The University of Adelaide offers the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (Network Engineering). It includes a range of disciplines similar to those of the Diploma: Computer Applications, namely:
  • Computer science concepts
  • Computer systems
  • Computer architecture
  • Computer network and applications
  • Operating systems.

    USA:

    The Middlesex County College in New Jersey offers the Technical Certificate in Windows and PC Support. This includes subjects such as:
  • Internet applications
  • Operating systems and architecture
  • Network technologies
  • Helpdesk and support subjects.

    Conclusion:
    In its application development approach, this Diploma: Computer Applications compares favourably with both of these qualifications, thus also comparing favourably with international and industry requirements. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with any similar Diploma in Information Technology at NQF Level 6.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Advanced Diploma: Information Technology, at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor's Degree: Information Technology, at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation includes both internal and external moderation of learner assessments at the exit point of the qualification. The College is guided by the criteria and standards outlined by the Higher Education Quality Committee in the Programme Accreditation Framework documentation. The policies and procedures for moderation of assessments are detailed in the relevant handbooks of the college. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Anyone assessing students must have a formal qualification at one level higher than the qualification being offered. External moderators must have at least a Master's level qualification or related qualification in the field of study and have at least five years' experience in the field of Information Technology. 

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

    NOTES 
    The provider, PC Training and Business College, is accredited to offer this qualification in both Contact and Distance Learning modes. 

    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. Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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.