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:

Advanced Diploma in Information Technology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111272	Advanced Diploma in Information Technology
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma	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	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-09-09	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:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Information Technology (AdvDip IT) is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to design, develop and maintain software solutions to solve business and industry needs effectively using the latest technology. The qualification is designed to produce a graduate with the theoretical and practical skill set to apply the latest technologies and tools in designing and developing optimal software solutions for business and industry needs. This qualification will strengthen and deepen the learner's theoretical knowledge and develop the learner's applied competence in analysing, interpreting and understanding information systems development processes, principles and methods.

Furthermore, the qualification is designed to start preparing learners for postgraduate study through deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices in the Information Technology (IT) academic disciplines and fields, as well as the development of their ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practice-related problems and tasks through the selection and use of appropriate methods and techniques.

A qualifying learner will be competent in applying design, development, implementation and / or maintenance strategies and techniques in the development of Information Technology solutions as well as to effectively manage and administer an Information Technological environment.

Rationale:
The National Development Plan 2030 states that South Africa can benefit from rapid growth in developing countries that leads to increased demand for commodities and the expansion of consumer markets. At the same time, these trends pose challenges for middle-income countries as a result of greater competition in manufacturing and certain IT-enabled services.

The qualification will be in line with the stipulations of Government Gazette No. 36797, dated 30 August 2013, and with the institution's commitment to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Act (Act No. 67 of 2008)'s objective to "facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education and training career paths".

The world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. It is vitally important that the University adjust its current qualifications accordingly, to ensure that learners are trained in these cutting-edge technologies.

In addition, the 2012 Free State, South Africa Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) programme emphasised that universities and other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can fulfil a key role in human capital development and innovation systems in their cities and regions.

The 2012 Higher Education in Regional and City Development, Free State South Africa, OECD, further emphasises that the key challenges for the Free State and its higher education and training institutions are:

Developing a more inclusive labour market and education system.

Creating an economy that can absorb both highly skilled and low-skilled people.

Addressing the long-term challenges of poverty, inequity and poor health; and.

Turning the potential of the higher education sector into an active asset for regional development.

Furthermore, there is a high demand, both nationally and internationally, for qualified IT Experts. Today, every business makes use of computer hardware and software-a statement that is confirmed by the Scarce Skills List of the Department of Labour (DoL), as well as the Industry Advisory Board. Quality IT professionals are also included in the list of critical skills shortages contained in the National Development Plan 2030 (South African National Planning Commission (NPC), 2013). This qualification will address this critical skills shortage.

This qualification will enable learners doing the current Diploma in Information Technology to further their studies. The qualification will also articulate to the Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology before exiting in preparation for employment in the business and industry sector.

There is a need in the market for well-trained IT System developers. This is confirmed by the scarce skills list of the Department of Labour as well as the Industry Advisory Board. The need is for developers that can analyse a problem and suggest and develop a software solution.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Department of Information Technology is committed to social transformation and redressing the inequalities of the past, as stipulated in the institution's mission and vision. It aims to be an accessible Centre of excellence by providing an opportunity to previously disadvantaged learners in the Information Technology environment. The institution embraces the "Access with success plan" as its commitment to realising the university's endeavours of widening the access of learners to higher education.

RPL facilitates and promotes access to the qualification; learners will be selected based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Selection of such learners will be in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution. RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The learners are required to complete an RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the RPL Committee for assessment. The RPL committee will assess the learner's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

There are two forms of RPL, namely RPL for access and for credit.

RPL concerns the evidence-based knowledge and learning that learners have acquired, whether by having completed formal education, or through experience. At all times, the question will be at which are the skills. Assessment of the skills is in the context of the exit-level abilities required by the qualification, modules, or the status for which the learners apply, and will not merely be on the applicant's recorded experience. RPL will thus take place in terms of applied competencies demonstrated by the learners in their applications, taking into consideration the Exit Level Outcomes that have to be obtained using the selected learning programme.

In this qualification, RPL will be provided for entrance requirements or for credits.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 138 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 66 Credits:

Research Methodology - Information Technology (IT) Project, 30 Credits.

Software Engineering & Design, 18 Credits.

Software Development, 18 Credits.

Elective Modules, 72 Credits (Select Four):

Information Security, 18 Credits.

Database Systems, 18 Credits.

Computer Servers' Administration, 18 Credits.

Operating Systems, 18 Credits.

User Interfaces Design, 18 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply appropriate techniques and strategies for managing an information security programme.
2. Design and construct modern database systems for business problems, through the understanding and practical application of end users' requirements.
3. Apply techniques in the planning, scheduling, controlling and monitoring of an information technology project. Identify, design, develop and implement a software solution for a complex business problem applying new technologies, software paradigms and platforms
4. Run a highly efficient and modern data-centre, with expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualisation, storage, directory services and networking.
5. Demonstrate adequate understanding of fundamental principles and functions of an operating system and install, configure and administer an operating system or components to support an organisation's Information Technology (IT) infrastructure.
6. Identify, design and develop all requirements, analysis and design documents for a complex business problem.
7. Design, construct and apply efficient game design concepts and philosophies to develop two-dimensional games for deployment and publishing across multiple platforms.
8. Design, construct and apply efficient user interfaces for varying Operating System and application/web platforms through the understanding and practical application of user interface/human computer interaction principles.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Explain the importance of information security and the management.

Demonstrate an understanding of risk management.

Demonstrate an understanding of security technology, in terms of firewalls and Virtual Private Network (VPNs).

Demonstrate an understanding of intrusion detection, access control, and other security tools that includes cryptography.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify and describe server technologies to access data stored in a database.

Identify and describe relational structures.

Define and describe relational structures.

Use client tools are effectively to access a relational database.

Use server technologies are effectively to access data stored in a database.

Use logical and physical database models to design, develop and implement databases for specific user requirements.

Identify appropriate types of models for various categories of business-related problems.

Demonstrate an understanding of using advance Structured Query Language (SQL) commands to create and modify a database.

Use advance SQL commands to analyse data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply and develop detailed work breakdown structures and baseline schedules for an Information Technology (IT) project using examples provided, demonstrating that relevant knowledge and skills.

Investigate, select and apply appropriate project monitoring strategies to examples provided, in order to demonstrate understanding of the control and monitor of an IT project.

Produce progress report documents according to agreed parameters and timeframes.

Demonstrate an understanding and usage of the current modelling language.

Identify, design, apply, develop and implement an intuitive, effective and efficient software solution for a complex business problem through the application of industry specific technologies, accepted software paradigms and known platforms.

Understand and apply the software project management concepts, such as effective time management, feasibility studies (economic, operational and technical), teamwork etc. with the aim to ensure that performance requirements and deliverables are met, is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Demonstrate and identify Server Software suitable for a modern data centre of a Business or Industry.

Install Server Software and demonstrate configuration of the Server.

Design and implement Server infrastructure.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Discuss necessary operating system components and functions.

Demonstrate preparing a computer for use as a server.

Demonstrate installing an operating system and validating the installation as successful.

Make a distinction between server and client services.

Demonstrate Configuring and Testing for validity of, Common network services (TCP/IP), print, file, DHCP, DNS, FTP, HTTP, mail, SNMP, telnet.

Explain the benefits of using scripts to automate operating systems tasks.

Describe virtualisation advantages and issues.

Demonstrate the ability to install two virtual machines on a system, using a current virtualisation software.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Demonstrate and understand the scope of software engineering.

Understand and apply the different Software Process Models in different project environments.

Understand and apply the Unified Process model.

Apply execution based and none execution based testing techniques to create high quality software artefacts.

Apply cohesion and coupling best practices and principles to create reusable object oriented designs.

Explain and apply the steps in the Requirements Workflow of the Unified process.

Explain and apply the steps in the Analysis Workflow of the Unified process.

Explain and apply the steps in the Design Workflow of the Unified process.

Explain and apply the steps in the Implementation Workflow of the Unified process.

Explain and apply the role of a developer during post-delivery maintenance.

Use the current modelling language to create all requirements, analysis and design documents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Describe the main genres of computer games and differentiate between types of gameplay and the types of users.

Apply game design concepts, to design games that are aimed at the mobile market by implementing design philosophies to ensure gameplay that is accessible, while keeping gameplay sessions relatively short, but engaging.

Design and develop a game framework that abstracts the communication with the underlying operating system for the primary modules: Window Management, User Input, File Input/Output, Graphics and Audio.

Design and develop two-dimensional games using the construct2 system environment for use across multiple platform.

Deploy and publish developed two-dimensional games to different platforms mobile store.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Design effective, efficient, user friendly and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces for interactive application software / web-based products.

Understand different users and how to contextually design user interfaces with the aim to maximise the operationalisation and usefulness of related software functionality.

Design interactive products as to support the manner in which people communicate and interact in different contexts.

Discuss and apply components and related process of interaction design, to the user experience in terms of usability goals.

Integrated Assessment:
Provision is made for integrated assessment in its entirety. The underpinning principle for the achievement of integrated assessment is ensuring that all work and assessments are directed at enabling learners to commence with situations and required decisions in an end-user support environment. Both formative and summative forms of assessment practices are accommodated.

Furthermore, as the qualification is practice-oriented, the theory acquired is put into practice. This synergy between theory and practice are achieved through:

Addressing a number of Exit Level Outcomes together.

Clustering a number of Associated Assessment Criteria together.

Promoting and raising awareness of the connections and relationships between the knowledge, processes and skills inside the different modules; and.

Using a combination of several different assessment methods, instruments and tools to achieve outcome(s).

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Comprehensive comparison was conducted to inform the content and structure of the qualification. For example, guidelines developed by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) were used to inform the content of the said qualification. Comparison on this qualification was conducted internationally specifically with universities in New Zealand (NZ) and Australia:

New Zealand:
At Whitireia Tertiary Institute of Technology a Graduate Diploma is offered and has the following purpose and outcomes, which compare favourably with this Advanced Diploma in Information Technology. The Graduate Diploma qualifies individuals with specialised and technical knowledge and skills within a professional context.

Outcomes:

Demonstrate specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in one or more fields of work or study.

Analyse and generate solutions to unfamiliar and sometimes complex problems.

Select, adapt and apply a range of processes relevant to the field of work or study.

Demonstrate advanced generic skills and/or specialist knowledge and skills in a professional context or field of study.

At Whitireia tertiary institute of technology the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology is a one-year full-time qualification with a minimum of 120 Credits. The qualification is also at Level 7 of the New Zealand's Qualification Framework. The qualification specialises in programming, networks, mobile applications, databases, servers and websites. The purpose, outcome and as well as the level on the qualification framework of the qualification are similar to this qualification.

New Zealand:
At Hawke's Bay: Eastern Institute of Technology a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology is offered. It is a one-year full-time qualification with a minimum of 120 Credits. The qualification is also at Level 7 of the New Zealand's Qualification Framework. The qualification has been designed to enable graduates to pursue a career in the computing industry. The qualification corresponds with the AdvDip IT as it prepares learners to enter the workplace as a System Analyst, Business Analyst and IT Project Manager. The purpose as well as the level on the qualification framework of the qualification is similar to this qualification.

Australia:
Charles Sturt University (CSU).
The purpose of the Bachelor Degree qualification type is to qualify individuals who will be able to apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in a range of contexts to undertake professional work and as a pathway for further learning.

Bachelor Degree qualifications are located at Level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Bachelor Degree qualifications must be designed and accredited to enable graduates to demonstrate the learning outcomes expressed as knowledge, skills and the application of knowledge and skills specified in the Level 7 criteria and the Bachelor Degree descriptor.

Australia: The Graduate Diploma in Information Technology is offered at Charles Sturt University (CSU) The entry requirements is a Diploma and one to three year's relevant experience. Finishing the Graduate Diploma will give learner's access to a Master's of Information Technology. The content of the qualification corresponds with the content of this qualification. Core subject are Computer Organisation and Architecture, Database Systems and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Project Management that correspond with modules in this qualification. The purpose as well as the level on the qualification framework of the qualification is similar to this qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor's Degrees in Information Technology/Software Development/Software Engineering, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma's in Information Technology/Software Development/Software Engineering, NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 8.

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.

NONE