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 Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91832  Higher Certificate in Management 
ORIGINATOR
Milpark Education (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
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
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 Higher Certificate in Management is an entry-level, post-school Higher Education qualification designed to equip the student with the skills necessary to function in the varied management contexts relevant to South African businesses. The qualification would be suitable for:
  • A school-leaver who wishes to enter a junior position in administration.
    Or
  • A person who has achieved another qualification in an applied area of practice or a non-vocational area and seeks a more business-oriented qualification.
    Or
  • An employed person wishing to enhance, develop or formalise own skills and knowledge with a qualification in this area.

    The qualification is designed to produce persons able to work in the varied management functions needed by most, if not all, businesses.

    In line with the requirements of the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF), the qualification is "primarily vocational or industry oriented" and provides a sound basis for qualifying learners wishing to proceed with further studies. The qualification will thus provide a "basic level of higher education knowledge" and ensure that the qualifying student is able to "[apply] such knowledge and competence in an occupation or role in the workplace" (HEQF).

    Rationale:
    The current skills deficit across all sectors means that there is a premium placed on staff that is qualified and able to perform across the key areas of management and administration (whether of processes, people or information). The current skills shortage requires also that employees be equipped with the skills and knowledge of several areas key to the transformation of the South African economy and that they are able to contribute to the positive performance of their employing institution.

    The Higher Certificate in Management addresses needs at a number of critical levels by promoting the development of knowledge and skills in the areas of management, human resources, management accounting, project management and corporate citizenship. The qualification therefore plays a significant part in the development of potential and existing junior managers and successful completion of a management qualification enhances the learner's likelihood of being employed and ensures career progression possibilities.

    The qualification builds the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required by persons at introductory level studies. At the same time, the qualification prepares qualifying learners for further learning in the same or related areas of study, thus laying a firm foundation for lifelong learning and career development. The qualification is designed to enable learners to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required to operate confidently in, and respond to, the challenges of the South African socio-economic context. In this regard, it clearly addresses existing and potential skills gaps.

    The qualification maintains institutional focus on meeting the needs of many sectors for business education and management. Management needs - general, people, financial, project - are generic across sectors however and it is into this gap that the qualification fits. Furthermore, it is essential that the institution develops qualifications that continue to meet the national requirements for qualifications, designed and developed for registration on the South African NQF. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the applicants are competent in the language of instruction (English at NQF Level 4) and the theoretical, practical knowledge and understanding accomplished at that level.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning may be applied for students to gain access to the qualification. Knowledge and experience acquired through non-formal and informal learning may be assessed though the RPL process.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The minimum level of learning required is:
  • A National Senior Certificate, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
  • A National Certificate Vocational, at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of six modules, each worth 20 Credits.
    Five of the modules are compulsory and one more module must be chosen from the given list of Elective modules to complete and be awarded the qualification.
    The minimum total number of credits required to achieve the qualification is 120.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • The Management Environment.
  • Managing People.
  • Introduction to Management Accounting.
  • Integrated Business Project.
  • Fundamentals of Business Economics.

    Electives Modules: (Choose one):
  • Monitoring and Evaluation for Managers.
  • Principles of Marketing Management.
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Global Corporate Citizenship I. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling.
    2. Implement basic human resource best practice within a work environment.
    3. Use accounting information to make informed business decisions.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental project management concepts, tools and techniques.
    5. Apply a working knowledge of the integration of concepts relating to the management environment, people and finance to prepare a management report.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
    1.1 The nature of how management theory has evolved is described.
    1.2 Management within a changing environment with emphasis on levels and types of management is demonstrated.
    1.3 Planning as key management function which includes the nature, types, processes and planning tools required is discussed.
    1.4 An understanding of organising as key management function, with reference to organisational and job design, authority and delegation, change and diversity, is expressed.
    1.5 An understanding of leading as a key management function, the nature thereof and how it applies to individuals, teams, communication and interpersonal relations is demonstrated.
    1.6 Controlling as a key management function, its process, areas of application, and levels, is demonstrated.
    1.7 An understanding of ethics, social responsibility and corporate governance as contemporary management issues is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    2.1 The foundational principles of human resource management (HRM) within the work context are interpreted.
    2.2 The systems approach to HRM and how this relates to the work environment are explained.
    2.3 Analytical and diagnostic approaches to decision-making are applied.
    2.4 Human resources planning, including the full value chain, is explained.
    2.5 The implications of legislation applicable to training are explained.
    2.6 Appropriate and effective training and development processes are identified and implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
    3.1 The fundamentals of business are applied.
    3.2 Basics of budgeting are followed.
    3.3 The basics of the business start-up budget are applied.
    3.4 The basics of the corporate budget are applied.
    3.5 A basic budget is drawn up.
    3.6 The types of managerial accounting are explained.
  • Range of accounting types: Cost accounting/activity-based costing; Lean accounting; Resource consumption accounting; Throughput accounting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
    4.1 Project Management as a contemporary management approach with unique benefits, in comparison to traditional management approaches, is applied.
    4.2 The project cycle and the applications of project management knowledge areas and process groups at different stages of project management are explained.
    4.3 The four major project constraints and the interdependencies among them are identified.
    4.4 Interpersonal skills necessary to function effectively in a project team environment are identified and discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
    5.1 The systematic research approach is applied.
    5.2 Fundamentals of a basic organisational assessment are used.
    5.3 A report is written.
    5.4 The objectives of the 10th principle and how to deal with corruption in every aspect of operations are implemented.
    5.5 The three environmental principles are implemented.
    5.6 Human rights and business are integrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including learners, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the learner's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

    Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in the case studies. Self- and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of proposals and financial plans. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Bournemouth Business School International (BBSI) is an Approved Training Centre for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) in the United Kingdom (UK).

    The BBSI offers a University Foundation Fast-Track Higher Certificate that is meant to assist learners with the basics of management that will also allow them to be able to enrol with an institution of higher learning for a Degree course. All BBSI university foundation courses are recognised by Bournemouth University. Successful completion of either the Higher Certificate or Diploma foundation courses meets the requirements for access to a wide range of UK university undergraduate courses.

    The qualification consists of the following modules:
  • Personal Development as a First-Line Manager.
  • Recruitment Selection.
  • Developing Individuals and Teams.
  • Improving Team Performance.
  • Managing and Communicating Information.
  • Meeting Stakeholder Needs.
  • Resource Planning.
  • Maintaining Quality Standards.

    The New Zealand Institute of Management offers a Certificate in Management which is a major foundation management course in New Zealand and is currently provided through some 40 tertiary institutions and 70 secondary schools. The Certificate in Management is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Learners choose four modules from list A and another four from list B.

    List A:
  • Employment Relations.
  • Introduction to Marketing.
  • Human Resource I: People at Work.
  • Introduction to Management.
  • Workplace Communication.
  • Enterprise Research Project.

    List B:
  • Applied Economics.
  • Introduction to Financial Service.
  • Introduction to Accounting.
  • Human Resource II: Personnel Practice.
  • Introduction to Law.
  • Introduction to Computing.
  • Business Statistics.
  • Quality Management.
  • Business Computing.
  • Information Systems.
  • Problem Solving and Decision Making.
  • Leadership Managing Small Project.
  • Principles of Small Business Management.
  • Law and Small Business.

    Conclusion:
    In comparison to the international qualifications indicated, the Higher Certificate in Management clearly meets the requirements of the international arena. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications at NQF Level 5:
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management.
  • Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with the following qualifications at NQF Level 6:
  • Diploma in Administrative Management.
  • Diploma in Human Resource Management.
  • Diploma in Management. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal moderation of all assessment is carried out by the academic staff of the institution. Internal moderators are qualified at least one NQF level higher than that of the qualification being moderated. External moderation of assessment is performed by suitably qualified persons across the country. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Any assessor must be a recognised expert in own relevant discipline or sub-field at a higher NQF level than that of the modules being assessed. The assessor should be currently teaching or have three years' experience of teaching in the Higher Education milieu, or be recognised by academic peers as an authority in the particular discipline. 

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

    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. Milpark Education (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.