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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Informatics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111463  Advanced Diploma in Informatics 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
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  2019-09-03  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 this Advanced Diploma in Informatics is to equip learner with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a business analyst, a database administrator or an Information Technology (IT) project manager that is in demand in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. This qualification provides the required knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills to critically analyse and propose appropriate solutions to a multi-disciplinary range of problems. More specifically, the qualification provides an opportunity to conduct research and stimulate innovation.

Qualifying learners will be able to provide the needed knowledge and skills to align business processes, provide system management solutions, to design solutions for IT problems based on research, and to apply project management methodologies in the design of business solutions within any organisation.

Rationale:
This qualification was designed based on feedback, where industry stated the required skills and knowledge, as well as review of other global institutions of higher learning confirming the required knowledge and skills.

This qualification equips a learner with the fundamental knowledge and skills of a Business Analysis, a Database administrator and an IT Project Manager, with the ability to further their abilities to research, identify, analyse, design, propose expansion and manage an IT project, thus improving the efficiency of the organisation. Emphasis is also on providing adequate theoretical and practical knowledge on analysis and presenting solutions to organisations.

The qualifying learner would be able to assist any organisation (local or globally) to assess their current situation, manage the IT project and propose solutions which shall enhance the organisation's economic and social stance. This qualification aims to provide the necessary skills and depth of knowledge to ensure that learners fulfil the relevant employment markets needs and consist of a combination of learning outcomes that have the defined purpose of capacitating the learner with workplace applicable competencies.
The learning outcomes of this qualification will allow articulation into the Postgraduate Diploma in Informatics, which will further equip learners with the required knowledge to engage in innovative research and development. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution provides for learners to enter the qualification main stream by undergoing the RPL process. RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission to this qualification. RPL may also be used to obtain credits for some modules.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Informatics, Level 6 with 360 Credits.
    Or
  • National Diploma in Information Technology, Level 6 with 360 Credits.
    Or
  • Bachelor in Information Systems, Level 7 with 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Principles of Research, 15 Credits.
  • Strategic Information Systems, 15 Credits.
  • Information Systems Architecture, 15 Credits.
  • Business Analysis and Application, 15 Credits.
  • Information and Technology Management, 15 Credits.
  • Knowledge Management, 15 Credits.
  • Information Technology Project Management, 15 Credits.
  • Information System Research, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Align business and selected system models and applications to an Information Technology (IT) information system.
    2. Select and examine the principles, tools and techniques that are used in information systems management solutions.
    3. Apply the principles and practices of knowledge management within an organisation.
    4. Apply fundamental research methodologies and techniques to analyse and design solutions for IT problems.
    5. Apply IT project management methodologies within a project or an organisation.
    6. Interpret strategic Information systems and databases within an organisation.
    7. Design and apply information, business, system application, technical architectural domain within information system enterprise architecture.
    8. Apply strategies to align the design of the system with the organisation.
    9. Produce a researched orientated solution based on industry expectations.
    10. Present information on the overall knowledge acquired throughout the program. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Business and selected system models and applications are identified and explained for an IT information system.
  • Business and selected system models and applications is applied to an IT information system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and examine information system principles, tools and techniques in order to manage solutions.
  • Select the appropriate information system principles, tools and techniques is to manage solutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • List and explain knowledge management principles and practices used in an organisation.
  • Examine knowledge management principles and practices used in an organisation.
  • Justify the most appropriate knowledge management principles and practices used in an organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify and explain fundamental research methodologies and techniques for analysing and designing solutions for IT problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and discuss advanced IT project management methodologies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Identify various strategic information systems and databases within an organisation.
  • Apply various strategic information systems and databases within an organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Explain information, business, system application and technical architectural domain.
  • Apply an information system enterprise architecture.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Explain strategies to align the design of the system with the organisation.
  • Identify the alignment between system and organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Identify and research a solution for industry expectation.
  • Produce a solution for industry expectation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Recap all knowledge throughout the qualification.
  • Create and present this knowledge.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The institutional assessment policy is applied by creating each module to have at least two (formal) assessments, assignments, projects and class tests (the quantity of the assignments, projects and class tests varies per module). Once a predicate mark has been achieved, the learners will write the one examination (summative assessment) per module. The combination of predicate and examination mark (divided by two), will provide the final mark for the learner per module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Advanced Diploma in Informatics was compared with international universities from United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). There were not many countries nor international or local universities that offer Advanced Diploma in Informatics or Advanced Diploma in Business Computing. However, majority universities displayed their Bachelor of Science, in place of the Advanced Diploma.

    Country: United Kingdom.

    The University of Central Lancashire has similar modules: database management, Project Management and Project.

    Birkbeck University of London offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Information Systems and Management.

    Country: United States of America.

    The Berkeley College has a similar qualification with similar modules such as project management, business organisation and management, system analysis and design and projects.

    The Penn State Berk has three qualifications that covers more modules. They also have project management, business, organisation, design, requirements, object orientated design and analysis. However, they have a lot of mathematics, statistics and calculus. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal vertical and articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Socio-informatics, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Informatics, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Information Systems, 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 


    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.