SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111954	Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Mathematical Sciences
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	2019-09-03	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 Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics will enable learners with a NQF Level 4 Mathematics to improve their reading and writing in academic, business and Standard English language, their computational skills mathematical skills and statistical skills, with an introduction to scientific field knowledge in higher education. Upon qualifying learners will be able to register for higher qualifications within South Africa and throughout the world. Qualifying learners will be employable in appropriate statistical and mathematical environments as support staff to specialists in the field.

The Higher Certificate will enable the qualifying learners to acquire knowledge of statistics as well as practical skills in data management and data exploration.

Rationale:
The qualification addresses the acknowledged shortage of knowledge and skills capacity in South Africa in the fields of mathematics and statistics. In particular, statistics practitioners with competence in collecting and analysing data and with an understanding of the statistical methods, at different levels of expertise, are needed in all areas of society. Mathematics is also a key part of science and engineering disciplines, and inadequate mathematical background prevents many learners form qualifying for study in these fields. This Higher Certificate is a foundation qualification and addresses this shortage in two different ways.

The typical learners for this qualification that will enrol are those with a National Senior Certificate, Senior Certificate or the National Certificate Vocational. Or those learners who are interested in Mathematics, Science or Statistics careers but with no access to higher education in these fields because they do not satisfy the Mathematics requirement.

The qualification will offer learners alternative pathways for access to Diplomas or Bachelor's within the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology, thus widening access into higher education. The qualification aims to equip learners with knowledge, skills and attitudes to undertake studies at higher NQF levels, especially those requiring Mathematical sciences and Statistics. The introduction of a Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics will, therefore, allow learners to reach their full potential of advancement through formal higher education, via distance education. A learner having gained this qualification would be able to advance to higher qualifications in tertiary institutions in any South African Institution of Higher learning.

The Higher Certificate will also give learners theoretical knowledge and practical skills in Statistics. They will be able to manage, explore, describe, analyse and report on data, using the relevant software, and will have experience in conducting statistical investigations. They will be employable as entry-level statisticians in various sectors. The key benefit of competent mathematics and statistic learners is that they will be able to solve mathematical or statistical problems within their field of employment.

The qualification will equip them to operate as entry-level statisticians in the academic, government, financial, or industry sectors.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning will take place following the institution's policy and guidelines. For this qualification, recognition takes place where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF Level and, in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

According to the institutional RPL policy, a learner may obtain access to this qualification via the RPL route. Learners need to provide evidence that their existing qualifications or relevant work or research experience in the field have led to learning which meets the formal admission requirements. Depending on the evidence provided, the outcome may be direct access or conditional access to the qualification.

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

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
Or

Senior Certificate without endorsement.
Or

National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 120 Credits:

English Proficiency for University Studies, 12 Credits.

Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions, 12 Credits.

Fundamental Mathematics, 12 Credits.

Pre-Calculus A, 12 Credits.

Pre-Calculus B, 12 Credits.

Statistics for Beginners, 12 Credits.

Basic Statistical Computing, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Research Skills, 24 Credits.

Elementary Quantitative Methods, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Write and communicate clearly in the academic setting, in particular within the Mathematics and Statistics disciplines.
2. Apply theory, principles and techniques in Mathematics and Statistics fields in solving routine and applied problems and in project investigations.
3. Perform mathematical and statistical calculations manually, using a calculator and using appropriate software.
4. Develop a set of professional ethics and values regarding the data analysis in the field of Statistical Sciences.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Communicate clearly in a correct academic style.

Use mathematical and statistical terminology and notations correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply the theory, principles and techniques correctly and appropriately.

Produce a report of a project according to accepted standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Ensure calculations are correct and accurate.

Use software appropriately and critically and illustrate an understanding of its shortcomings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Exhibit a professional attitude in all tasks.

Integrated Assessment:
In this qualification, the quality assurance process will demonstrate that an effective integrated assessment strategy is used. Clearly identified components of assessment will address summative assessment of the Exit Level Outcomes. Evidence will be derived from major work or multiple instances of limited scale work. The qualification is designed in a modular format. The learners will be assessed in the various modules via a combination of the following: summative examinations, assignments, projects and portfolios of evidence of learning growth.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Within the Higher Education sector, the concept of Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics is new in South Africa. A learner having gained this qualification would be able to advance toward higher qualifications in tertiary institutions in any South African institution of higher learning.

The qualification is comparable internationally to the Certificate in Higher Education Degrees in the United Kingdom (UK), which consists of 120 Credits (1 year of full time study). Another similar qualification is the Associate Degree in the United States of America (USA), Canada, Australia and elsewhere, which however is usually of two-year duration. Both these types of qualifications share a similar approach of providing both a pathway to undergraduate Degrees as well as some vocational applicability.

In particular, the Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics compares well with, for instance, the following international qualifications:

Certificate of Higher Education in Mathematical Sciences at the Open University, UK. The key feature of this qualification is to introduce learners to key topics in mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. This qualification also seeks to build a solid foundation on which learners may continue to a higher qualification. The Certificate of Higher Education in Mathematical Sciences is particularly similar to this qualification which aims to give learners a firm foundation to enable them to pursue further qualifications. Similarities in the modules, for example, essentials of mathematics and introduction to statistics are offered by Open University and which are similar to the fundamentals of mathematics as well as Basic Statistical Computing in this qualification.

At Birkbeck, University of London offers a Certificate in Higher Education in Physics and Mathematics. This qualification compares to the Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics as one of the outcomes of both qualifications is to enhance the learners' problem solving abilities. Both qualifications offer three mathematics modules that build a solid foundation for learners. Additionally, both qualifications comprise a research module which exposes learners to research skills in the field of mathematics. Lastly, the mode of delivery is similar as they make use of a distance-learning and blended-learning approach.

Associate Degree in Science at Durham Technical Community College, USA provides learners with the opportunity to achieve competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and the necessary computer use. This qualification is comparable to the Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics, The Associate Degree in Science has modules such as English Proficiency for university studies and mathematics as well as statistical computing embedded into the qualification.

Associate of Science, Okanagan College, Canada. One of the outcomes for the Higher Certificate in Mathematics and Statistics is that learners will write and communicate clearly in the academic setting, in particular within the Mathematics and Statistics disciplines. This outcome is similar to that of the Associate of Science Degree. The curriculum of both qualifications is similar in that they both offer an English module to facilitate or develop written communication skills of learners. Both qualifications offer mathematics modules that are compulsory and has elements of statistics.

Essentially, all these qualifications offer a theoretical and practical introduction to mathematical or science modules. The qualifications also enable learners to develop higher education study skills. These qualifications enable learners to access undergraduate Degrees in mathematical or science related subjects.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Certificate: Banking, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Statistics, NQF Level 7.

Diploma in Mathematical Sciences, NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Engineering, NQF Level 6.

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.

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