The qualification types proposed to be recognised in the South African higher education system are pegged on the qualifications framework in Chapter 4. In this chapter in section 6.2. a qualification descriptor has been written for each proposed qualification type. This list of qualification types should be regularly reviewed and up-dated. These qualification types are protected terms, which means that the terms may be used only if the qualifications concerned comply with the specifications prescribed in the relevant qualification descriptor. Providers in both the private and public higher education systems may offer programmes and qualifications based on these qualification types and their descriptors, only if they have been registered and accredited by the relevant authorities to do so. A necessary condition for the Higher Education Quality Committee’s granting of accreditation to offer a programme leading to a recognised qualification will be the meeting of the relevant qualification descriptor for each qualification type listed below.
6.1 Principles for Nomenclature
6.1.1. Type
A qualification type is the first name given to a qualification. It usually comprises a noun preceded by one or two adjectives that signify its track on the framework and its level of accomplishment. For example, the terms General and Career-focused are the adjectives used to distinguish qualification types in the two tracks, whilst the terms Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s are all adjectives used to indicate the level of the qualification, they all precede the noun Degree. Likewise, the terms Bridging, Foundation, Graduate, Postgraduate and Master’s precede the nouns Certificate and Diploma to indicate their level. Thus a General Bachelor’s Degree, a Career-focused Postgraduate Diploma and a Graduate Certificate are examples of qualification types.
6.1.2. Designator
All qualification types which are degrees, i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s degrees, have designated variants of the degree type. These are indicated by a designator, the second name given to a degree, to indicate its broad area of focus. Designators are only used with degrees and all degrees must have a designator; designators are not used for certificates and diplomas. The linking word between the qualification type and the designator is of, e.g. Bachelor of Social Science, Master of Technology, Doctor of Philosophy. When abbreviated the ‘of’ is dropped, e.g. B SocSci, M Tech, etc. The use of qualification designators is confined to a prescribed list in the traditional General Track on the qualifications framework, but it is open-ended in the Career-focused Track in order to accommodate innovation and new market trends. The only designators which may be used in the General Track are of Arts, of Science, of Social Science and of Commerce. Designators used in the Career-focused Track signify a professional or vocational area of focus, e.g. of Engineering, of Technology, of Education, of Social Work, of Nursing, of Agriculture, etc. The use of designators in the Career-focused Track is open-ended, but the use of new designators in the Career-focused Track will need to be approved by the HEQC through its accreditation process. All groups of qualifications using a designator may indicate an even further level of specialisation through the use of a qualifier.
6.1.3. Qualifier
In degree type qualifications that must use a designator after the qualification type, e.g. of Arts, of Engineering, a qualifier may be used as the third name of the qualification to indicate an even more specific area of specialisation than that indicated by the designator, e.g. a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics abbreviated to BA (Linguistics), a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics, BEng (Electronics). The linking word between the qualification type or its designator and the qualifier is always in. When abbreviated, the in is dropped and the qualifier is placed in brackets. In the case of certificates and diplomas, where there is no designator, the qualifier follows immediately after the qualification type, e.g. a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama abbreviated to PG Dip (Drama). If it is important to indicate an even further area of specialisation for a Certificate or Diploma, this may be done by adding a colon and a second qualifier after the first, e.g. a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama: Performance, abbreviated to PG Dip (Drama: Performance).
In order to use a qualifier, at least 50% of the minimum total credits for the qualification, and at least 50% of the minimum credits at the qualification’s exit level, should be in the field of specialisation, e.g. in a 480 credit Advanced Bachelor’s Degree pegged at Level 8: PG1, at least 240 (of 480) credits should be attained in the area of named specialisation, of which at least 60 (of 120) should be at Level 8: PG1; for example a BEng (Mechanical Engineering) would require a minimum of 240 credits in Mechanical Engineering, with at least 60 of these pegged at Level 8: PG1. The same ruling applies to the use of a second qualifier; for example, in order to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Drama: Performance, worth 120 credits pegged at Level 8: PG1, at least 60 credits at Level 8: PG1 should be attained in the specialised area of dramatic performance. Provided these specifications are met, the use of qualifiers is optional and open-ended; there is no prescribed list of qualifiers. This means that providers may determine and apply to use whatever qualifier they think best reflects the specialisation of a particular qualification.
An example of the use of qualification types, designators and qualifiers in each of the General and Career-focused tracks follows. A theory-driven, science-based, general programme with a focus in agriculture would typically offer a 360 credit Bachelor’s Degree at Level 7 in the General Track, and would therefore use the designator of Science. If the qualification includes sufficient learning outcomes and credits in the area of specialisation, thus meeting the requirements for using a qualifier, the provider could indicate the specialisation in agriculture by naming the qualification Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, abbreviated to BSc (Agric). At Level 8: PG1, the same programme could offer a Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture abbreviated to BScHons (Agric). However, a more applied programme in the Career-focused Track could offer at Level 7 a 360 credit Career-focused Bachelor of Agriculture, and at Level 8: PG1 a 480 credit Advanced Career-focused Bachelor of Agriculture, using the term Agriculture rather than Science as the designator. If it were deemed desirable to indicate further specialisation, and the regulations for doing so were met, then a qualifier could be added giving the title Bachelor or Advanced Bachelor of Agriculture in Soil Science, abbreviated to BAgric (Soil Science) or AdvBAgric (Soil Science).
6.1.4. Language
The use of English on all certificates awarded to students is obligatory. However, providers may choose to include on the certificate, translations of the English into any other official South African language or Latin. A set of consistent translations of the qualification types into Afrikaans may be found in Appendix II.
6.2 Qualification Descriptors for Recognised Qualification Types
In this section each recognised qualification type on the qualifications framework for higher education is described and specified. It is important to note that the requirements laid down for admission and articulation are only general guidelines. Each institution has the statutory right to determine its own admission requirements, and likewise, those responsible for teaching and administering particular academic programmes will want to tailor these general guidelines to meet the specific requirements of particular programmes, faculty and institutional missions and goals and so forth. In each case admission requirements are spelt out in terms of recognised formal qualifications, i.e. formal learning accredited on the South African NQF. In most cases the words ‘or equivalent’ should be added to accommodate the concern to encourage the recognition of prior learning. It is assumed here that the recognition of prior (experiential) learning, either for admission or for accreditation, is a matter for providers to determine on the basis of their capacity to assess individual learners against the exit level learning outcomes and assessment criteria specified for particular qualifications. By providing a standardised qualifications framework, level descriptors and the qualification descriptors below, this report should facilitate this demanding process.
6.2.1 Bridging Certificate
Type Specifications
NQF Level 4
Articulation Column
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 4: 72Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Bridging Cert
Bridging Cert (Maths)Purpose and Characteristics
Pegged at Level 4, this is a further education and training, rather than a higher education qualification. As it sits in the Further Education and Training Band and in the Articulation Column of the framework, this qualification follows the SAQA ruling for the minimum credits at exit level, requiring a minimum of only 72 credits at Level 4. Programmes leading to this qualification serve as bridges from Level 4 to Level 5, enabling learners to attain or complete Level 4 qualifications in order to meet the entry requirements for target Level 5 programmes in higher education. Learners who have attained an FETC, but in fields of learning not related to the programme for which entry is sought, may enrol for an appropriate Bridging Certificate. Learners who have completed some credits at Level 4 may enter a Bridging programme to complete a qualification in the target field. This qualification therefore plays a key role in widening access to higher education study. As they sit at Level 4, programmes leading to this qualification will not, by definition, be covered by state subsidy provision for higher education. However, it may be possible for higher education institutions to apply for earmarked funding to offer some of these programmes in key areas such as Maths, Science, Engineering and Technology. In other cases, Bridging programmes should be provided by technical colleges and private further education and training providers. Programmes leading to this qualification are normally intensive and tend to focus on building a knowledge base and discipline/field-specific skills in target areas, in preparation for higher education study. This qualification can also be used to facilitate the recognition of prior learning and so widen access to higher education. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 4 in contextualised form.
Admission Requirements
Entry
Appropriate Level 4 qualifications or unit standards (or equivalent, as assessed through the recognition of prior learning).
Mid-stream
Credits attained at Level 4, may be recognised and accredited for the purposes of attaining this qualification.Articulation
Early Exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
Not applicableDiagonal
Learners who successfully complete a Bridging Certificate will be admitted directly to an appropriate Level 5 higher education programme in either the General or Career-focused Tracks.
Vertical
Learners should be discouraged from moving from a Bridging Certificate to further academic development in a Foundation programme, as this could create serious inefficiencies in the system. Once enrolled in a Bridging programme, it would be preferable for students to remain there until they achieve the entry requirements for a mainstream Level 5 programme.
6.2.2 Foundation Certificate
Type Specifications
NQF Level 5
Articulation Column
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 5: 72Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Foundation Cert
Foundation Cert (Commerce)Purpose and Characteristics
The Foundation Certificate is a Level 5 qualification in the Articulation Column, designed to prepare students for success in further higher education studies. In the new Funding Framework’s terms, it is the qualification usually awarded on successful completion of an academic development programme. This qualification contributes to the widening of access to higher education by enabling institutions of higher education to conditionally admit learners who do not fully meet the Level 4 admission requirements for direct entry into particular programmes at Level 5. This qualification can also be used to facilitate the recognition of prior learning. Programmes leading to this qualification typically develop in students a foundation of academic and generic skills to equip them for academic study and lifelong learning. Such programmes may be designed on a disciplinary or field-specific basis, or they may serve as preparation for a grouping of cognate disciplines, e.g. for further study in any discipline in a particular faculty. These programmes thus serve to provide learners with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques to function successfully in their chosen field of further study. The development of key generic skills such as reading and writing academic texts, word processing, basic IT skills, numeracy and study skills should be integrated into the process of introducing students to a particular knowledge and conceptual base. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 5 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate (or equivalent) that does not meet the regular entry requirements for admission to a diploma/degree programme in either track. In future, a FETC or equivalent that does not meet the regular entry requirements for admission to a target higher education programme.
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
On completion of a Foundation Certificate, a student may be granted admission to the first 120 credits of an appropriate diploma/degree programme in either the General or Career-focused Tracks. Credits attained on the Foundation Certificate programme may be transferred and accredited on a Level 5 diploma/ degree programme. It is proposed that up to 25% of the credits earned on a Foundation programme (i.e. 30 credits) may be transferred to an appropriate mainstream undergraduate qualification, provided that the ruling that credits may not be used twice is observed (i.e. the same credits cannot be used to meet higher education entry requirements and to contribute towards an undergraduate qualification).
Diagonal
Not applicable
Vertical
Not applicable
6.2.3 Career-focused Certificate
Type Specifications
NQF Level 5
Career-focused Track only
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 5: 72Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Cert (Tourism)
Cert (Tourism: Eco-tourism)
Purpose and Characteristics
The undergraduate Career-focused Certificate is a mid-way exit point from a Diploma programme and is offered only in the Career-focused Track. This qualification signifies that the learner has attained a basic level of knowledge and competence in a particular field or occupation and is capable of transferring this knowledge and skill to an occupation or role in the workplace. The focus of this qualification is on specific vocational training. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 5 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate or equivalent. In the future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
If a learner wishes to change direction or track, s/he will normally be required to repeat 120 credits of study at Level 5 in the new programme. In some cases (some of) the credits gained may be transferred to a new Level 5 programme.
Diagonal
In some cases, where a Certificate does not entirely meet the entry requirements for a target diploma or degree programme, a student may be required to take additional ‘articulation credits’ in the target area.
Vertical
Completion of the Certificate meets the entry requirement for admission to an appropriate Diploma at Level 6. However, a Certificate should not be awarded to students who progress directly on to Diploma studies. It should be awarded only to those who exit the system. If a student in possession of a Certificate later wishes to re-enter the system, then it should be recognised as meeting the entry requirements for an appropriate Diploma.[1]
6.2.4 Career-focused Diploma
Type Specifications
NQF Level: 6
Career-focused Track
Minimum total credits: 240
Minimum credits at Level 6: 90
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Dip (Real Estate)
Dip (Real Estate: Property Marketing)
Purpose and Characteristics
This qualification is offered in the Career-focused Track. It is typically a two-year full-time qualification (requiring a minimum of 240 credits). It can be awarded on completion of a stand-alone programme or as an exit qualification from a Career-focused degree programme. Programmes leading to this qualification tend to have a strong vocational, professional or career focus and students exiting the system with this qualification are normally prepared to enter a specific niche in the labour market. These Diploma programmes often include an experiential or simulated work experience component. Diplomates should be fully competent in the capabilities described for Level 6, which means that they should possess a sound knowledge base in a particular field/discipline and be able to apply their knowledge and skills to particular career or professional contexts. They should also be equipped for further, more specialised and intensive learning at Level 6. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 6 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate. In future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
The curriculum for a Diploma is normally designed as a 240-credit unit. This means that there is not usually a mid-stream entry point. However, in some programmes, students who have attained an appropriate Level 5 Certificate will be admitted mid-stream.
Articulation
Early exit
A student who drops out of this programme having attained a minimum of 120 credits may be awarded a Certificate where this exists, or in some cases a Foundation Certificate, provided that the learning outcomes for the qualification awarded have been attained.
Horizontal
Credits attained for this qualification may be recognised and transferred to a cognate Diploma programme at Level 6.
Diagonal
A student with an appropriate Diploma can be admitted to Level 6 study in a cognate Bachelor’s Degree programme. If the student changes track, s/he may be required to attain additional credits in the Articulation Column.
Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for a Bachelor’s programme at Level 6 in the same discipline or field.
6.2.5 General Diploma
Type Specifications
NQF Level: 6
General Track
Minimum total credits: 240
Minimum credits at Level 6: 90
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Dip (Social Studies)
Dip (Social Studies: Community Development)Purpose and Characteristics
This qualification is offered in the General Track. It is typically a two-year full-time qualification (requiring a minimum of 240 credits). It is usually offered as an exit qualification from a General degree programme. Programmes leading to this qualification tend to offer a broad, generic curriculum that aims to equip learners with a strong foundation in academic and generic skills for a wide range of employment possibilities. Diplomas offered in the General Track should be designed deliberately to produce employable graduates. Diplomates should be fully competent in the capabilities described for Level 6, which means that they should possess a sound knowledge base in a particular field/discipline and be able to apply their knowledge and skills to career or professional contexts. They should also be equipped for further, more specialised and intensive learning at Level 7. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 6 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement or Exemption (or equivalent). In future, a relevant Further Education and Training Certificate or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
Not applicable, although credits from relevant Level 5 qualifications may be recognised and transferred.
Articulation
Early exit
A student who drops out of this programme having attained a minimum of 120 credits may be awarded a Foundation Certificate, provided that the learning outcomes have been attained.
Horizontal
Credits attained for this qualification may be recognised and transferred to a cognate Diploma programme at Level 6.
Diagonal
A student with an appropriate Diploma can be admitted to Level 7 study in a cognate Bachelor’s Degree programme. If the student changes track, s/he may be required to attain additional credits in the Articulation Column.
Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for a Bachelor’s programme at Level 6 in the same discipline or field.
6.2.6 Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree[2]
Type Specifications
NQF Level: 7
Career-focused Track
Minimum total credits: 360
Minimum credits at Level 7: 120Designators
Bachelor’s Degrees in the Career-focused Track may not use the designators reserved for the General Track, i.e. of Arts, of Science, of Social Science and of Commerce. Instead, they should derive their designation from their area of focus, e.g. Bachelor of Development Studies, Bachelor of Biotechnology, Bachelor of Agriculture, etc. Provided accreditation is granted, the use of designators for Career-focused Bachelor’s degrees is open-ended.
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one
Abbreviations
BDevtStuds, BBiotech, BAgric
BDevtStuds (Demography), BAgric (Rural Resource Management)
Purpose and Characteristics
Requiring a minimum of 360 credits, this is normally a 3 year full-time programme. The purpose of the Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree is to develop graduates who, in addition to demonstrating focused knowledge and skills required in a particular field, have also gained experience in applying such knowledge and skills in a workplace context. A depth and specialisation of knowledge, together with practical skills and experience in the workplace, enables graduates to enter a number of career paths and to apply their learning to particular employment contexts from the outset. Career-focused Bachelor’s degrees also prepare learners for further in-depth study at Level 8. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 7 in contextualised form. Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement or Exemption, or equivalent, for universities, and a Senior Certificate for technikons. In future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
The curriculum for a Career-focused Bachelor’s is usually designed as a 360-credit unit, but in some programmes a relevant Diploma or Certificate will enable mid-stream entry. Articulation
Early exit
In some cases, a student may exit this programme with a Diploma, provided 240 credits (with 90 at Level 6) have been attained, or with a Certificate, provided 120 credits (with 72 at Level 5) have been attained.
Horizontal
Entry to an appropriate Graduate Certificate which would allow access to the General Track thereafter.
Diagonal
Entry to a Postgraduate Certificate at Level 8: PG1 gives access to a range of options at Level 8 thereafter.
Vertical
Entry to a relevant Advanced Bachelor’s Degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme at Level 8: PG1 in the Career-focused Track.
6.2.7 General Bachelor’s Degree
Type Specifications
NQF Level: 6
General Track
Minimum total credits: 360
Minimum credits at Level 7: 120Designators
The General Bachelor’s Degree is offered only in the General Track, and to indicate this, providers must use one of the following designators in the qualification’s title: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce. Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one
Abbreviations
BA, BSc, BSocSci, BCom
BSc (Life Sciences), BA (Applied Linguistics)
Purpose and Characteristics
Requiring a minimum of 360 credits, this is normally a 3-year full-time programme. The purpose of the General Bachelor’s Degree is to develop graduates who have benefited from a well-rounded, broad education and who can fully demonstrate the capabilities described in the Level 7 descriptor, including the demonstration of initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context. A Bachelor’s Degree programme in the General Track consists of at least one major or cumulative specialisation, and some exposure to other disciplines. This means that graduates should have studied at least one discipline/field progressively throughout the programme to the point where they have attained some depth of knowledge and expertise in the area, as well as gaining a broad comparative knowledge. Graduates should be proficient in a range of generic and academic skills, as outlined in the Level 7 descriptor, which should be assessed integrally with the content of the major(s). General Bachelor’s graduates should thus be prepared for either further disciplinary study at Level 8: PG1, or for flexible employment in a wide range of careers. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 7 in contextualised form.Admission Requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement or Exemption, or equivalent. In future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
A student with a relevant Diploma from a cognate subject area may be admitted mid-stream into a Bachelor’s Degree programme.
Articulation
Early exit:
Some General Bachelor’s programmes will offer a Diploma as a 240-credit exit point at Level 6. Horizontal
Completion of an appropriate Graduate Certificate allows access to Level 8: PG1 programmes in the Career-focused Track thereafter.
Diagonal
Entry to a Postgraduate Certificate or appropriate Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8: PG1 allows access to the Career-focused Track thereafter.
Vertical
Entry to a Bachelor’s Honours Degree, usually in the area of specialisation or in the discipline taken as a major; or entry to a related Postgraduate Diploma in a new area of study in either track.
6.2.8 Graduate Certificate
Type specifications
NQF Level 7
Articulation Column
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 7: 72
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Grad Cert (Higher Education)
Grad Cert (Art: Graphic Design)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Graduate Certificate is a 120-credit qualification in the Articulation Column. The programme leading to this qualification is usually a focused, introductory programme, designed to allow graduates to pursue study in a new area at Level 7. These often serve as initial qualifications for learners wanting to move into a new programme, track, profession or area of specialisation. A typical example would be a graduate with a BSc wishing to become a Science teacher, who registers for a Graduate Certificate in Education in order to attain a license to practise as a schoolteacher. Thus a key purpose of the Graduate Certificate is to enable graduates to change track and/or to prepare them to function competently in a new vocation or profession. A second purpose for these qualifications is to offer short in-service, or continuing professional development courses, such as those currently encouraged by the Department of Labour’s National Skills Development programme. A further purpose served by these qualifications in the Articulation Column is the facilitation of the recognition of prior learning. It is against the learning outcomes of these qualifications, rather than the larger, more knowledge-based qualifications, that prior learning is likely to be assessed, allowing non-traditional learners access to the higher education system. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 7 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit:
Not applicable
Horizontal
A Graduate Certificate allows a student to move across from Level 7 on the General Track into the Career-focused Track and vice versa.
Diagonal
A Graduate Certificate will normally meet the entry requirements for a related programme at Level 8: PG1.
Vertical
Not applicable
6.2.9 Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degrees Type Specifications.
NQF Level: 8: PG1
Career-focused Track only
Minimum total credits: 480
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 120
Designators
Advanced Bachelor’s Degrees sit only in the Career-focused Track and so may not use the designators reserved for the General Track, i.e. of Arts, of Science, of Social Science and of Commerce. Instead, they derive their designation from their professional or career focus, e.g. Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Industrial Chemistry, Bachelor of Journalism, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, etc. Provided accreditation is granted, the use of designators for Career-focused Bachelor’s degrees is open-ended. Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one
Abbreviations
BEng, BEd, LLB, BIndChem, BJourn, MBChB
BEng (Mechanical), BEd (Curriculum). BTech (Biotechnology)
Purpose and Characteristics
Advanced Bachelor’s Degrees in the Career-focused Track require at least 480 credits, with a minimum of 120 at Level 8: PG1, normally a minimum of 4 years’ full-time study. However, some professions such as Medicine and Architecture require a longer period of study, which is reflected in an increase in the number of credits required at Level 8: PG1, e.g. the MBChB requires a minimum total of between 600 and 720 credits, with 240 to 360 at Level 8: PG1. This qualification type includes, but is not limited to, most of the professional Bachelor’s Degrees that are recognised by a professional or statutory body, usually as a license to practice a particular profession. It also includes the Bachelor of Technology and a range of other career-focused 480 credit degrees that are more focused and tightly structured than the Bachelor’s Degrees in the General Track, but are not necessarily endorsed by a professional body.[3] However, Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s degrees are usually designed in consultation with employer/professional bodies and demand from graduates a thorough grounding in the knowledge and skills of the profession or career concerned, and also an ability to apply these to professional or career contexts. Many of the programmes leading to this qualification require a practicum or work-based component. The Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree differs from the Bachelor’s Honours Degree in the General Track, in that the research focus is applied rather than theoretical or disciplinary. This means that in terms of attaining the research-related capabilities listed in the Level 8: PG1 descriptor, students are typically required to undertake and produce a professional project and report, rather than a research paper. However, the Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree graduate should command an adequate theoretical knowledge base to enable him/her to continue his/her professional development and/or to pursue Master’s Level 8 studies. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement or Exemption, or equivalent, for university entrance, and Senior Certificate for technikon entrance. In future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
In some cases, a student with a relevant Career-focused Diploma or Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree may be admitted mid-stream into an Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s degree programme.
Articulation
Early exit
Where these exit-points are designed into the programme, a student may exit with a Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree, provided 360 credits (with 120 at Level 7) have been attained, or with a Diploma, provided 240 credits (with 90 at Level 6) have been attained.
Horizontal
Meets the entry requirements for a Postgraduate Certificate and a Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8: PG1.
Diagonal
Meets the entry requirements for the Master’s Certificate, the completion of which allows access to Level 8 programmes in the General Track.
Vertical
Provided programme specific entry requirements are met, entry to a relevant Master’s Degree at Level 8 in the Career-focused Track. 6.2.9b Bachelor of Technology
Note: The Bachelor of Technology is not a qualification type in its own right, it is rather a designated variant of the Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree. It is included here as an example of a designated variant.Specifications
NQF Level: 8: PG1
Career-focused Track
Minimum total credits: 480
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 120
Designators of Technology
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
BTech (Tourism Management)
BTech (Engineering: Electrical)
Purpose and Characteristics
Requiring a minimum of 480 credits, this is normally a four year full-time programme, developed in response to specific professional and labour market needs; it is generally developed in partnership with relevant professional bodies or industry. The purpose of this qualification is to develop graduates who, in addition to acquiring specialised knowledge and skills required in a particular field, have also gained experience in applying such knowledge and skills in a workplace context. The Bachelor of Technology typically consists of two majors that represent progressive and cumulative specialisation in a particular field. It also develops in graduates generic, higher order transferable skills, preparing learners for employment in a particular vocation, profession or career, with an emphasis on managerial skills, creative technology applications, original thinking and judgement. The inclusion of an applied research component enables the graduate to contribute to the development of the career field. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this designated variant will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
Currently a Senior Certificate. In future, a relevant FETC or equivalent, such as an appropriate Bridging or Foundation Certificate.
Mid-stream
Relevant Career-focused Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Articulation Certificates may provide mid-stream entry, but this will depend on the nature of the target programme.
Articulation
Early exit
The curriculum for a Bachelor of Technology is usually designed as a 480-credit unit, but it may be designed to provide for exit qualifications at Certificate (120 credits), Diploma (240 credits) and Career-focused Bachelor’s
Degree (360 credits) exit-points. Not all Bachelor of Technology degrees will offer these exit-points, which are context-specific to each programme.
Horizontal
Meets the entry requirements for a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8: PG1.
Diagonal
Entry to a related Master’s Certificate, Master’s Diploma, Professional Master’s or Structured Master’s Degree.
Vertical
Meets entry requirements for a Master of Technology Degree programme (either the Research or Structured form) at Level 8 in the Career-focused Track.
6.2.10 Bachelor Honours Degree
Type Specifications.
NQF Level: 8: PG1
General Track only
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 120
Designators
The Bachelor Honours Degree is offered only in the General Track, and to indicate this, providers must use one of the following designators in the qualification’s title: Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Social Science Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Commerce Honours. Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one
Abbreviations
BAHons, BScHons, BSocSciHons, BComHons
BScHons (Life Sciences), BAHons (Applied Linguistics)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Bachelor Honours Degree is offered only in the General Track and requires a cumulative total minimum of 480 credits with a minimum of 120 credits at Level 8: PG1. This qualification typically follows a General Bachelor’s Degree, and serves to consolidate and deepen the student’s expertise in a particular discipline, and to develop his/her research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline. In some cases, a Bachelor Honours Degree carries recognition by an appropriate professional or statutory body. Traditionally, the Honours Degree has been recognised as meeting the entry requirements and research preparation requirements for Research Master’s studies. All Bachelor Honours Degree programmes should include conducting and reporting research or scholarship under supervision, usually worth 20-30 credits. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form.
Admission Requirements
Entry
An appropriate General Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Certificate and, in exceptional cases, an appropriate or Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit:
Not applicable
Horizontal
Entry to a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma
Diagonal
Meets the entry requirements for a Master’s Certificate or Master’s Diploma in other fields. Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for an appropriate Research or Structured Master’s Degree. In exceptional cases, high achieving students may be permitted to proceed directly to doctoral study, provided they first complete the research training offered in an appropriate Master’s Certificate or Master’s Diploma.6.2.11 Career-focused Postgraduate Diploma
Type Specifications.
NQF Level: 8: PG1
Career-focused Track only
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 120
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
PG Dip (Taxation)
PG Dip (Communication: Digital Media)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Career-focused Postgraduate Diploma is offered in the Career-focused Track and requires a total minimum of 120 credits, with a minimum of 120 at Level 8: PG1. This qualification follows a Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree, but unlike the Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree, it is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification, allowing entry to students from a range of relevant Bachelor’s Degrees. The Career-focused Postgraduate Diploma usually provides an intensive, focused and applied specialisation, which either meets the requirements of a specific niche in the labour market, or provides access to further postgraduate study at Level 8. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form.
Admission Requirements
Entry
An appropriate Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Certificate and, in exceptional cases, an appropriate or General Bachelor’s Degree
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit:
Not applicable
Horizontal
Entry to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or related Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree
Diagonal
Meets the entry requirements for a Master’s Certificate or Master’s Diploma in other fields. Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for an appropriate Research, Structured or Professional Master’s Degree.6.2.12 General Postgraduate Diploma
Type Specifications.
NQF Level: 8: PG1
General Track only
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 120
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
PG Dip (Cultural Studies)
PG Dip (Applied Linguistics)
Purpose and Characteristics
The General Postgraduate Diploma is offered in the General Track and requires a total minimum of 120 credits with a minimum of 120 at Level 8: PG1. This qualification is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification, following a General Bachelor’s Degree, but unlike the Bachelor’s Honours Degree which requires sustained specialisation in a particular discipline, it allows entry to students from a range of relevant undergraduate Bachelor’s Degrees. In the General Track, the Postgraduate Diploma usually provides learners with a particular focus and a more specialised knowledge base than that gained in the General Bachelor’s Degree. It also prepares learners for continued postgraduate study at Level 8. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form.
Admission Requirements
Entry
An appropriate General Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Certificate and, in exceptional cases, an appropriate Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit:
Not applicable
Horizontal
Entry to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or related Honours Bachelor’s Degree Diagonal
Meets the entry requirements for a Master’s Certificate or Master’s Diploma in other fields. Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for an appropriate Research, Structured or Professional Master’s Degree.6.2.13 Postgraduate Certificate
Type specifications
NQF Level: 8: PG1
Articulation Column
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG1: 72
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
PG Cert
PG Cert (Social Science Research Methods), PG Cert (Applied Linguistics: Translation), PG Cert (Information Management: E-Commerce)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Postgraduate Certificate is a 120-credit qualification at Level 8: PG1 in the Articulation Column. Programmes offering these qualifications usually provide the student with a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in an area of specialisation. Such programmes serve a number of different purposes: they offer a specialized package for graduates wishing to change track into a particular profession or career, or to gain admission to a Master’s programme in a different field from that of their undergraduate degree; they offer qualifications in continuing professional development now encouraged by the Department of Labour’s National Skills Development Plan; opportunities for the recognition of prior learning and an opportunity for focused research training. The latter is critical in meeting the National Plan’s goals of increased postgraduate outputs, as the Postgraduate Certificate provides a curriculum space for non-traditional or under-prepared students to meet the entry requirements for research degrees at Level 8 and to prepare themselves to succeed at postgraduate studies. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG1 in contextualised form, probably with an emphasis on competences b), c) and e).
Admission requirements
Entry
A Bachelor’s Degree, a Graduate Certificate or any Level 8: PG1 qualification
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
Entry to a related programme at Level 8: PG1, allowing a change of direction
Diagonal
Meets the ntry requirements for related programmes at Level 8.
Vertical
Not applicable
6.2.14 Master’s Certificate
Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG2
Articulation Column
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG2: 72
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
Master’s Cert (Agricultural Instrumentation) Master’s Cert (Labour Law) Purpose and Characteristics
The Master’s Certificate is a 120-credit qualification at Level 8: PG2 in the Articulation Column. Programmes leading to this qualification provide an opportunity to offer a short, focused study at an advanced level in a discrete area of specialisation, usually for the purposes of continuous professional development or up-grading, e.g. to up-date practising professionals on the implications of new legislation or new technologies. The qualification may also be used to enhance Level 8: PG1 qualifications in order to meet the entry requirements of a target Level 8 programme. Thus the Master’s Certificate will normally be used as a specialised ‘stand-alone’ qualification, or as focused preparation for Level 8 studies. Research preparation will normally have been done at Level 8: PG1 and, where necessary, enhanced through the completion of a Postgraduate Certificate. However, the Master’s Certificate can also be used to offer additional, more specialised research training. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG2 in contextualised form, probably with an emphasis on competences b), c) and e).Admission requirements
Entry
Any Level 8: PG1 qualification
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
Entry to a related programme at Level 8, allowing a change of direction
Diagonal
Meets the entry requirements for related programmes at Level 8.
Vertical
Not applicable
6.2.15 Master’s DiplomaType specifications
NQF Level 8: PG2
General and Career-focused tracks
Minimum total credits: 120
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG2: 120
Designators
Not applicable
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum two
Abbreviations
M Dip (Organisational & Management Systems)
M Dip (Historical Studies)
M Dip (Agriculture: Rural Resource Management)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Master’s Diploma is a 120-credit qualification at Level 8: PG2, offered in both tracks. It may serve as a ‘stand-alone’ qualification which provides advanced continuous development, upgrading and reflection for professionals, without requiring a sustained research project. Alternatively, it may be designed as an exit-point from a Structured Master’s Degree, awarded to a student who completes a minimum of 120 credits’ coursework, but fails to complete the research component. This qualification builds on prior Level 8: PG1 qualifications and so demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The learning outcomes specified for specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG2 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
An appropriate Level 8: PG1 qualification or a Master’s Certificate Mid-stream
In exceptional cases credits from a Master’s Certificate may be transferred to a Master’s Diploma. Articulation
Early exit
If the learning outcomes are met and 72 credits attained, a Master’s Certificate may be awarded.
Horizontal
Meets the entry requirements for admission to a related Master’s programme.
Diagonal
Entry to the research component of a related Structured Master’s programme
Vertical
Entry to the research component of the same Structured Master’s programme
6.2.16 Professional Master’s Degree
Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG2
Career-focused Track only
Minimum total credits: 180
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG2: 180
Designators
Provided accreditation is granted, the use of designators in the Career-focused Track is open-ended; designators are derived from the area of professional focus or specialisation
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one
Abbreviations
MEd, MBA, MAcc, MMed, LLM
MAcc (Taxation), LLM (Business Law)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Professional Master’s Degree exists only in the Career-focused Track. It requires at least 180 credits at Level 8: PG2 and normally requires two year’s part-time study. Many Professional Master’s degrees are recognised by a professional or statutory body as a license to practise in a particular specialisation, or as a qualification for a managerial position in the profession. The purpose of this qualification is to provide advanced, specialised, professional training for already practising professionals. Programmes leading to this qualification do not require a sustained research output, but rather a series of demanding assignments and projects related to the student’s professional/work context. The research required is therefore of an applied or praxis nature, rather than purely theoretical or disciplinary. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG2 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
A relevant Level 8: PG1 qualification, usually an Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree and a relevant Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate Mid-stream
Not normally applicable; in exceptional cases, credits from a relevant Master’s Diploma may be transferred towards this degree.Articulation
Early exit
Where an exit-point is catered for, a Master’s Diploma or Master’s Certificate may be awarded, provided a minimum of 120 credits have been attained and the relevant learning outcomes achieved.
Horizontal
Entry to a related Master’s programme
Diagonal
Entry to the research component of a related Structured Master’s Degree may be permitted. Vertical
Meets the entry requirements for a Professional Doctorate in the Career-focused Track, but not necessarily for a PhD.
6.2.17 Structured Master’s Degree Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG3
General and Career-focused Tracks
Minimum total credits: 180
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG3: 60
Designators
In the General Track only the following designators are permissible: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Social Science, Master of Commerce
In the Career-focused Track a range of professional or career-related designators, including the Master of Technology, are in use and further usage is open-ended, subject to accreditation.
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one. It is common practice for Structured Master’s Degrees to use a qualifier to signify the area of specialisation, whilst Research Masters tend not to use a qualifier, as the area of specialisation is often too specific to be meaningful to the general public. Providers should use a qualifier with the Structured Master’s as a means of distinguishing between a Research and Structured Master’s Degree.
Abbreviations
MA (Politics, Philosophy & Economics), MTech (Chemical Engineering), MEng (Chemical), MTh (Biblical Studies)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Structured Master’s Degree requires 180 credits at Level 8 and can be achieved in one year’s full-time study, although it is more often achieved in two years’ part-time study. It sits in both the General and the Career-focused Tracks. The Master of Technology is a designated variant of the Structured Master’s in the Career-focused Track. A Structured Master’s Degree requires a minimum of 60 credits research, written up in a research dissertation or thesis (at Level 8: PG3), with the remaining minimum 120 credits earned through the completion of advanced coursework (at Level 8: PG2). It thus provides the opportunity to study a range of themes in a discipline, field or interdisciplinary area by means of a structured taught curriculum and formally organized tuition. The Structured Master’s usually prepares graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment. It also prepares students for further study in their area of specialisation at Level 8: PG4. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG3 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
An appropriate Level 8: PG1 qualification, usually a relevant Bachelor’s Honours Degree, Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or, in some cases, a Postgraduate Certificate Mid-stream
An appropriate Master’s Diploma may be recognised and accredited on a Structured Master’s programme.Articulation
Early exit
A student who completes at least 120 credits of coursework on a Structured Master’s programme may exit with a Master’s Diploma at Level 8: PG2.
Horizontal
A related Master’s programme
Diagonal
At the discretion of the provider, a student may be permitted to change track or area of specialisation and register for a Doctorate in a different field, but this will normally be permitted only after the completion of an appropriate Master’s Certificate.
Vertical
Entry to a relevant Doctor’s Degree at Level 8: PG4 6.2.18 Research Master’s Degree Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG3
General and Career-focused Tracks
Minimum total credits: 180
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG3: 120
Designators
In the General Track only the following designators are permissible: Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Social Science, Master of Commerce
In the Career-focused Track a range of professional or career-related designators are in use, including the Master of Technology, and further usage is open-ended, subject to accreditation.
Qualifiers
It is advisable not to use a qualifier for a Research Master’s because the area of specialisation is often too specific to be meaningful to the general public. Providers should not use a qualifier for a Research Master’s Degree as a means of distinguishing it from a Structured Master’s Degree. Abbreviations
MA, MSc, MTech, MArch, MEd, MEng, LLM
Purpose and Characteristics
The Research Master’s Degree sits in both the General and the Career-focused tracks. It requires a minimum of 180 credits, of which a minimum of 120 must be earned at Level 8: PG3 through the completion of a single, in-depth research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation. The remaining 60 credits may be earned through extending the length of the thesis or dissertation, or through the completion of coursework or research training modules. The purpose of the Research Master’s is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. Graduates from the Research Master’s should be able to undertake rigorous research and to communicate the results by means of a thesis or dissertation which meets internationally acceptable standards. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG3 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
An appropriate Level 8: PG1 qualification, usually a relevant Bachelor’s Honours Degree in the General Track and an Advanced Career-focused Bachelor’s degree in the Career-focused Track. Alternatively, an appropriate Postgraduate Certificate may be recognised as meeting the entry requirements.
Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
A related Level 8: PG3 programme
Diagonal
At the discretion of the provider, a student may be permitted to change track or area of specialisation and register for a Doctorate in a different field, but this will normally be permitted only after the completion of an appropriate Master’s Certificate.
Vertical
Entry to a PhD or related Doctor’s Degree at Level 8: PG4 6.2.19 Professional Doctor’s Degree Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG4
Career-focused Track only
Minimum total credits: 360
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG4: 360
Designators
In the Career-focused Track a range of professional or career-related designators are in use and further usage is open-ended, subject to accreditation.
Qualifiers
Optional and open-ended, maximum one; it is common practice for Professional Doctorates to use a qualifier to signify the area of specialisation, and providers are encouraged to do so in order to distinguish the Professional Doctorate from the Doctor of Philosophy.
Abbreviations
DPsych (Clinical), DCom (Accounting), DEd (Educational Management), LLD (Constitutional Law)
Purpose and Characteristics
The Professional Doctor’s Degree exists only in the Career-focused Track. It requires 360 credits at Level 8: PG4, with a minimum of 180 credits earned through the completion of one or more research reports or dissertations which are of a quality that satisfy peer-review and merit publication in reputable international scientific/academic/professional journals. The purpose of this qualification is to provide high-level advanced, specialised, professional training for already practising professionals. The research required is of an applied or praxis nature, rather than purely theoretical or disciplinary. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG4 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
An appropriate Master’s Degree, usually a Professional or Structured Master’s Degree Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
A related Doctor’s Degree Diagonal
Not applicable
Vertical
Senior Doctorate
6.2.20 Doctor of Philosophy
Type specifications
NQF Level 8: PG4
General and Career-focused Tracks
Minimum total credits: 360
Minimum credits at Level 8: PG4: 360
Designators
The designator of Philosophy is used in both the General and the Career-focused Track.
Qualifiers
Doctor’s of Philosophy tend not to use a qualifier, as the area of specialisation is often too specific to be meaningful to the general public; providers should not use a qualifier for the PhD as a means of distinguishing it from the Professional Doctorate.
Abbreviations
PhD or DPhil in either track
Purpose and Characteristics
The Doctor of Philosophy is the traditional doctoral degree consisting in toto of research at the most advanced academic level, with the research results being presented in a doctoral thesis/dissertation with a minimum credit value of 360 at Level 8: PG4. This degree usually requires a minimum of three years’ full-time study to complete. The Degree can be earned in either the General or the Career-focused Track and the nature of the research undertaken will differ accordingly, with pure or discipline-based research being undertaken in the former, and applied research being undertaken in the latter. A key characteristic of this qualification is the requirement that a significant, original and substantial contribution be made at the frontiers of a discipline or field, and that a high level of research capability be demonstrated through peer-reviewed publication of international standard. A graduate should be able to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned. The learning outcomes specified for designated variants and specialisations of this qualification type will meet the competences described in the descriptor for Level 8: PG4 in contextualised form.
Admission requirements
Entry
An appropriate Master’s Degree Mid-stream
Not applicable
Articulation
Early exit
Not applicable
Horizontal
A related Doctor’s Degree Diagonal
Not applicable
Vertical
Senior Doctorate
[1] This principle applies to all qualifications serving as exit points from higher qualifications.
[2] It is proposed that the current 3 year Diplomas offered by technikons be re-named Career-focused Bachelor’s Degrees.
[3] Many of the ‘named programmes and qualifications’ recently designed in response to the White Paper fall into this category.