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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 Economic and Management Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99326  Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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  168  Not Applicable  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:
The Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences has as primary focus the development of knowledge and competencies needed to successfully enrol for and complete higher education qualifications. The large numbers of school leavers who have not obtained a National Senior Certificate granting access to Diploma and Bachelors' Degree study as well as those who have not sufficiently developed the necessary cognitive skills to be successful in higher education studies are justification for this qualification.

Rationale:
The Higher Certificate in Economic and Management Sciences (HCert EMS) specifically focuses, apart from the foundational subjects, on introductory knowledge in terms of various fields of studies in the Human Resource Management, Business Management, Public Administration and Political Science, depending on electives chosen. This qualification was developed to address the post-school education and training needs of many deserving learners who might not meet the minimum current requirements for entry into university studies. It may also be seen as ground breaking in terms of what it could mean for the Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) crisis as it has as primary focus the development of knowledge and cognitive skills needed for success in Higher Education studies in a particular discipline.

Successful learners of this qualification will to be able to progress to related studies in Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and/or Bachelors' Degrees at various institutions such as Universities, Universities of Technology and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL, in accordance with the rigorous Institutional RPL policy, will be applied in cases where learners, who might not have completed either a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate Vocational (NCV) Level 4, but who, through various other proven education and training activities can be recognised as suitable candidates with the potential to succeed in the Higher Certificate, and who will be in a position to attend a full-time study programme.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entrance requirements are:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC).
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 168 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 5:
  • Skills and Competencies for Lifelong Learning, 16 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy for the Economic and Management Sciences, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
  • Introduction to Individual Differences, 20 Credits.
  • Introduction to Political Science, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to World Politics and Global Governance, 16 Credits.
  • Elementary Mathematics, 16 Credits.
  • Calculus, 16 Credits.
  • Calculations related to Business and Office Administration, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the foundational competencies of communication in a chosen language.
    2. Demonstrate elementary understanding of Politics, Economics and Management Sciences as scientific disciplines of study.
    3. Numeracy skills are used in performing administrative tasks related to business and personal daily life. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Paragraphs are written and expository essays based on passages are read.
  • The main ideas of written texts are summarised.
  • Notes are taken and reports are prepared.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Concepts such as politics, state and government are conceptualised and defined.
  • The roles of the organisation of government, regime types and political parties are explained.
  • The concepts of micro and macro-economics are explained and discussed.
  • Factors which influence the South African economy are outlined.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Mathematical ideas and concepts are communicated and applied using mathematical language.
  • Basic geometric figures are analysed.
  • Linear equations, functions and trigonometric functions are used where appropriate.
  • A scientific calculator is confidently and accurately used in calculations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will be assessed continuously over the semester or year, for formative and summative assessment in all modules. The number and types of assessment vary from module to module but generally constitutes a range of formative assessment types that include portfolios, class tests, class notes, semester tests, presentations. Summative assessment will be done through examinations in all modules, except in Academic Literacy for the Economic and Management Sciences where semester tests will be taken. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In the United Kingdom, The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is a qualification which prepares learners for study at Degree level. Learners who obtain a school exit qualification which does not meet the admission requirements for Degree studies are encouraged to register for the qualification. This qualification can be completed in one year. However, it can also be done part-time over two or more years, or through distance learning or evening sessions.

    The Foundation Course for Mature learners in Ireland offers another way to higher education for mature learners whose social, economic and cultural experiences have prevented them from going to university. Learners can choose from two broad areas of study: Arts and Social Sciences or Science. The qualification is full-time and runs from September to May over one year.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification is comparable to the two qualifications cited above because they are all designed to prepare learners for further studies at institutions of higher learning. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates specifically with the following qualifications offered by the University of the Free State.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Management Development, Level 5 (ID 96676).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in General Management, Level 7 (ID 16912).

    This qualification also offers systemic articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other institutions provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Economic and Management Sciences, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management, 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.