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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101144  Diploma in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful learner a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Information Technology (IT). The qualification will be treated according to the policies and procedures of the institution regarding assessment, moderation (including external moderation), monitoring of learner progress in the qualification, provision for learner disputes regarding assessment results and Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL).

Rationale:
The intended purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the creation and customisation of total integrated Information Technology(IT) solutions to business problems and management of relevant systems. This includes analysis of business systems which provides support regarding appropriate technology. Learners are expected to comprehend the following:
  • Software Development Communication Networks Web and Application Development.
  • Systems and -Technology Management.
  • Intelligent industrial Systems.
  • Support Services.
  • Technical Applications.
  • Hardware and Computer Architecture. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
    The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where credits were not awarded.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior Certificate National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling at 368 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 114 Credits:
  • Information Technology(IT) Skills: Legal Aspects 1, 8 Credits.
  • System Software 1.1, 10 Credits.
  • Programming Logic 1.1, 12 Credits.
  • System Software 1.2, 10 Credits.
  • Development Software 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.2, 8 Credits.
  • Development Software 1.1, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship 1 (Applied Science), 12 Credits.
  • Information Systems 1.1, 10 Credits.
  • Accounting 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.1, 8 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 175 Credits:
  • Information Systems 1.2, 15 Credits.
  • Programming Logic 1.2, 12 Credits.
  • Web Management 2.1, 10 Credits.
  • Information Systems 2.1, 15 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 2.1 (Theory), 7 Credits.
  • Information Systems 2.2, 15 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 2.2 (Theory), 7 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.1, 8 Credits.
  • Development Software 2.1, 15 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.2, 8 Credits.
  • Development Software 2.2, 15 Credits.
  • Web Management 2.2, 10 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 2.2 (Practical), 7 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 2.1 (Practical), 7 Credits.
  • System Software 2.2, 12 Credits.
  • System Software 2.1, 12 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6, 10 Credits (Choose 1):
  • Information Systems 3.1, 10 Credits.
  • Development Software 3.1, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 54 Credits:
  • Business Analysis 3.2, 40 Credits.
  • Business Analysis 3.1, 14 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 7, 15 (Choose 1):
  • Information Systems 3.2, 15 Credits.
  • Development Software 3.2, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse and design software solutions to industry related information.
    2. Analyse and design software solutions to information technology problems. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Utilise the required technical skills to effectively implement the designed solutions in a distributed Information Technology(IT) environment.
  • Utilise the required technical skill to design and implement solutions in data communications, networks and the internet environment.
  • Utilise business and management skills to bridge the gap between the IT discipline and the business functional areas in industry.
  • Use hardware to its full potential by understanding the technical operation of hardware and to control it on a low level.
  • Provide support services.
  • Create and modify general computer applications software or specialised utility programs for stand-alone and distributed environments including the web environment.
  • Analyse user needs and produce a suitable specification for a system, covering a medium sized business problem.
  • Develop computer programs to demonstrate the ability to store, locate and retrieve information from different data sources.
  • Deploy a suitable, secure software solution based on a given scenario.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of systems architectures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply modern analysis, design techniques and methodologies in the development of IT software systems.
  • Integrate multi-platform environments effectively.
  • Design database structures to support Information Technology(IT) business systems effectively.
  • Provide solutions for specific business situations.
  • Apply user interface design principles.
  • Apply the appropriate software programming languages and development environments to implement the designed IT solutions.
  • Implement software solutions in a client/server environment.
  • Integrate multi-platform environments.
  • Implement local area Networks implemented in a multi-platform environment successfully.
  • Design and implement internet solutions in a client-server environment.
  • Utilise business skills effectively in the application of technical skills in an IT business environment.
  • Apply management techniques in utilising IT resources effectively.
  • Analyse different human computer interfaces effectively.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence.
  • All teaching and learning activities in the qualification are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the qualification.
  • The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading.
  • Timely feedback to learners, forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum.
  • Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar international qualifications, but individual institutions have unique offerings which may/may not articulate with this qualification entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy-depending on the institution. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This allows qualification for horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Computer Systems Engineering, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Information Technology, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.