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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109769  Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Durban 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
Higher Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
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  EXCO 0821/24  2019-07-25  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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:
This qualification is designed to enhance the employability of learners by equipping them with basic hospitality knowledge and skills, which will enable them to occupy junior/entry-level positions in both the private and the public sectors.

The qualification also prepares learners for employment in entry-level or support positions in a wide variety of sectors within the hospitality industry, inter alia, accommodation establishments, food service providers, events and conferencing, transport catering, and welfare catering. Typical jobs that learners should be able to occupy after completing the qualification include: chefs, waiters, receptionists, reservationists, guest relations officers, finance clerks, bartenders, and sales and marketing assistants.

Rationale:
A skills audit by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, released in 2014, indicates that the hospitality sector will require thousands of additional employees. Hence, the acquisition of hospitality management skills is very important for the South African economy, in terms of direct and indirect employment, and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product Gross domestic product (GDP).

Additionally, the hospitality/tourism industry has a tremendous multiplier effect over other economic sectors, especially as the sector in South Africa is forecast to grow even larger. Based on the afore-mentioned, the institution decided to offer a Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies with a view to contributing to addressing the current and future demand for knowledgeable and skilled hospitality personnel.

Upon completion of the Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies, learners will be able to articulate into Diploma in Hospitality Management, or into other related Advanced Certificate and Diploma qualifications offered by other institutions of higher learning. The qualification was also designed to facilitate vertical articulation into the Diploma in Hospitality Management. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience). Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting extensive work-based learning.

The relevant learning outcomes, and credits/exemption may be granted for some modules in the qualification, and/or admission may be granted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC).
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V)) at Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules: 88 Credits:
  • Business Communication and Information Literacy, 16 Credits.
  • Quantitative Approaches to Management Sciences, 8 Credits.
  • Hospitality Information Technology, 16 Credits.
  • Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
  • Hygiene and Safety, 12 Credits.
  • Accounting Principles for Hospitality, 16 Credits.
  • Service Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality, 8 Credits.

    Elective Modules: 32 Credits (Choose two modules):
  • Introduction to Food and Beverage Service, 16 Credits.
  • Culinary Skills, 16 Credits.
  • Hospitality House-keeping and Maintenance Operations, 16 Credits.
  • Hospitality Front Office Operations, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the key concepts, terms, principles, and practices within the field of hospitality and leisure studies.
    2. Apply hospitality-related knowledge and skills to identify and resolve basic problems in a hospitality establishment.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to cost and prepare basic meals and beverages.
    4. Communicate basic hospitality-related information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure and style. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the key concepts, terms, principles, and practices within the field of Hospitality.
  • Explain the concept of service quality in the Hospitality industry.
  • Demonstrate the basic underlying concepts and practical application of the fundamentals of hospitality finance.
  • Describe the importance of hygiene and safety in a hospitality establishment.
  • Discuss the nature and role of the house-keeping and maintenance functions.
  • Perform basic front-office operations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and resolve basic guest-related problems and complaints such as:
  • house-keeping, maintenance issues and front-office problems.
  • Demonstrate basic Information Technology (IT) knowledge and skills pertinent to the hospitality industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Perform basic recipe costing.
  • Prepare and present basic meals.
  • Observe quality control measures in the kitchen.
  • Correctly prepare and present beverages.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Describe and apply appropriate strategies to communicate with relevant stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate computer literacy and proficiency.
  • Use appropriate style and language to communicate coherently and concisely with a hospitality establishment's stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate interpersonal skills to work effectively as part of a team to achieve a common outcome.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Foundational/fundamental knowledge will be applied and assessed in some of the core modules. The assessments will include tests, assignments, and practicals in the kitchen and restaurant. Aspects of the "Hygiene and Safety" module will be assessed in practical modules, such as "Culinary Skills" and "Introduction to Food and Beverage Service". 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies was compared with similar qualifications offered by the following institutions:

    The European School of Economics (Florence, Italy):
    This school offers a Professional Programme in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which is offered over one year, and includes modules in hospitality information systems; basic accounting; and food hygiene and safety, which are similar to the modules in the Higher Certificate (Hospitality and Leisure Studies), namely: Hospitality Information Technology; Accounting Principles for Hospitality, and Hygiene and Safety.

    The Michigan State University (Michigan City, United States of America (USA):
    The University offers a Management Certificate in the Business of Hospitality. The curriculum covers the following components of hospitality management: financial planning, marketing, human resources, operations, information systems, quality service, accounting, facilities, food services management, and leadership. Similar modules included in the Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies are: Accounting Principles for Hospitality; Service Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality, and Culinary Skills.

    Cornell University (New York, USA):
    The University offers a Certificate in Hospitality Management, and the curriculum includes modules on financial management, foodservice management, house-keeping, and front-office management, which are similar to the modules in the Higher Certificate (Hospitality and Leisure Studies).

    Wavecrest College of Hospitality (Nigeria):
    The University offers a one-year Certificate in Hospitality Operations, which is designed to develop knowledge and skills in food and beverage, housekeeping and reception operations - all of which are included in the HCert (Hospitality and Leisure Studies).

    An evaluation of the qualifications offered by the institutions above, informed the curriculum design of the Higher Certificate in Hospitality and Leisure Studies, in terms of including some modules, like Accounting Principles for Hospitality, and Hygiene and Safety, and Hospitality Front Office Operations. However, it was deemed necessary to include Business Communication and Information Literacy, and Quantitative Approaches to Management Sciences, to better prepare learners for the world of work. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Culinary Skills, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Hospitality Management, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Durban 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.