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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate: Economic and Management Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90677  Higher Certificate: Economic and Management Sciences 
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
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 this qualification is to prepare learners who do not comply with the minimum statutory or institutional admission requirements, for access to Diploma and Degree studies in the Economic and Management Sciences.

This qualification will introduce learners to elementary concepts and principles of Economics, Business Management and Accountancy. The qualification should also improve learners' basic proficiency in English, their general computer skills and their basic numeracy skills which are required for studies in the Economic and Management Sciences.

Rationale:
The rationale of this qualification is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge, competence and skills to work in the broad field of Economics and Management Science and to understand the world of work. This qualification should increase the employment opportunities for those obtaining it. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner is assumed to be:
  • Familiar with Economics either through his/her employment in such an environment, through the successful completion of an appropriate qualification at NQF Level 4, or through appropriate self study and or exposure to the sector.
  • Competent in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will be applied in line with the regulations of the Quality Council for Higher Education and the RPL Policy and the procedures of the University of South Africa.

    RPL can be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It can also be used to grant learners credit towards the qualification.

    Access to Qualification:
    Access to the Higher Certificate is granted to all applicants who are in a possession of one of the following:
  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
  • A National Certificate Vocational ( NCV), NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
  • A foreign qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA.
  • Any Further Education and Training Certificate (FETC). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, each worth 12 credits:
  • English for Academic Purposes 1.
  • Introduction to the Economic and Management Environment 1.
  • Basic Numeracy 1.
  • End-user Computing 1.
  • Sustainability and Greed 1.
  • English for the Economic and Management Sciences 1.
  • Elementary Quantitative Methods 1.
  • Economics 1.
  • Business Management 1.
  • Financial Accounting 1.

    Total Credits for NQF Level 5: 120. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to understand human behaviour and be able to deal successfully with interpersonal relationships within the workplace.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to read critically with comprehension and insight, and apply language structures and conventions to their studies.
    3. Demonstrate specific knowledge, skills and competencies related to basic decision numeracy in a business and personal environment.
    4. Demonstrate specific knowledge and skills in the field of financial accounting.
    5. Act ethically and professionally in an economic context.

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Interpret knowledge as contested.
  • Illustrate the ability to evaluate types of knowledge and explanations which are typical in the area of study.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of methods to create good inter-personal relations with other staff members and ways to solve inter-personal problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Communicate ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional, and/or occupational discourse.
  • Develop appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Different functions as applicable to economic problems are correctly performed.
  • Solve constrained optimisation problems accurately.
  • Create and solve a properly specified simultaneous equation with the use of matrix algebra.
  • Solve everyday mathematical and financial problems by applying basic calculations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Collect and process the financial accounting data of an entity.
  • Perform inventory management.
  • Carry out year-end financial procedures and produce the relevant financial statements for a sole trader.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Operate a financial management system effectively based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements of the system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Take decisions and act ethically and professionally.
  • Justify decisions made and actions taken drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches, within a supported environment.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and summative assessment is done to determine learners' progress and competence. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is not comparable to any similar qualification offered internationally as most universities offer only Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees at entry level. Never the less it is felt that the qualification is justified in South Africa today as it will assist those learners who do not obtain access to Diploma or Bachelor Degree study to obtain the competencies to allow them admission to such courses and because it equips them with competencies required for employment at entry level in Financial Management. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications:
  • Diploma: Economic and Management Science, at NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate: Economic and Management Science, at NQF Level 6.

    This Qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • National Certificate: Economic and Management Science, at NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All formative assessment tasks are internally moderated and all summative, exit level assessment tasks are externally moderated by suitably qualified experienced subject specialist. All assessment decisions and moderation judgment must be clearly motivated and recorded. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Academic staff members of the University of South Africa or, in the case of external assessment or examination, academic staff members from other universities who have at least a master's degree will act as assessors. Assessors, assessment and moderation practices must comply with the requirements stipulated in the Assessment, Learner Support, and ODL and RPL policies of the University of South Africa. 

    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.
     
    1. University of South Africa 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.