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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Information Technology Honours in Information Systems

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115603	Bachelor of Information Technology Honours in Information Systems
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours Degree	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 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 1141/23	2019-12-17	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2028-06-30

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 Bachelor of Information Technology Honours in Information Systems will enable learners to have a broad business understanding and a real-world perspective of Information Systems enablers in organisations and understand the strategic significance of Information Systems. The learner will gain strong analytical and critical thinking skills to be able to apply both traditional and old concepts and skills. The learner will design and implement information technology solutions that enhance organisational performance. The learner will exhibit strong ethical principles and have excellent interpersonal communication and team skills. The learner will also gain skills in statistical and mathematical models to be used in analysing data. The learner will understand that systems consist of people, hardware, software and data.

Rationale:
The current Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) Degree is restructured into a three year BIT (Information Systems) degree, followed by a BIT Hons (Information Systems) degree, in line with the new Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework (HEQSF) requirements. We already present the Master of Information Technology (MIT) (coursework and a 50% mini-dissertation), MIT (Information Systems) - full research masters and PhD (Information Systems) degrees. To establish a proper learning path in Information Systems, it is proposed to add the three year BIT and BIT Hons with Information Systems as descriptor.

The institution attracts learners who completed their bachelor Degrees at other universities in South Africa. Information Systems bachelor Degrees can be BSc, BA, BCom, BIT and BBusSc Degrees. The BIT Hons (IS) allows learner with any bachelor Degree in Information Systems.

Learners who have completed this Degree will typically be employed as ICT project managers, Business Analysts, Business Intelligence specialists, Enterprise Architects.
Information Systems is classified as a scarce skill. The BIT Hons (IS) will address the shortage of ICT skills.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The minimum admission requirements specify credit transfer arrangements. No further Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available.

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

Bachelor of Information Technology, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Informatics, NQF Level 7.
Or

Bachelor of Information Systems, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 45 Credits:

Research methodology, 15 Credits.

Research paper, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, 75 Credits (Choose/Select Five):

INF713 Special topic, 15 Credits.

INF716 Special topic, 15 Credits.

Enterprise architecture, 15 Credits.

Advanced database systems, 15 Credits.

Managing information systems projects, 15 Credits.

Information systems development methodologies, 15 Credits.

Mobile business applications, 15 Credits.

Knowledge acquisition and sharing, 15 Credits.

IT Law, 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Demonstrate a broad business understanding and real-world perspective to be Information Systems enablers in organisations and understand the strategic significance of Information Systems.

Demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills to apply both traditional and old concepts and skills.

Design and implement information technology solutions that enhance organisational performance.

Exhibit strong ethical principles and have excellent interpersonal communication and team skills.

Demonstrate skills in statistical and mathematical models to be used in analysing data.

Understand that systems consist of people, hardware, software and data.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the planning, analysis, design, implementation and management of computerised information systems.

Implement a database application by converting a detailed design into a working database and data warehouse, as well as applying data mining techniques.

Understand the importance of managing project execution, estimate and schedule tasks as well as how to build and maintain healthy relationships during any project life cycle.

Demonstrate an awareness of the social, ethical and global implications of Information technology.

Communicate (verbally and in writing) a critical, analytical and logical argument on selected topics around the adoption, use and management of information systems in organisations.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment opportunities are considered as an integral part of facilitating learning. Assessment is seen as central to the learning and teaching process, providing both formative and summative assessment opportunities as well as requiring an element of holistic, integrated assessment in line with the overall purpose of the qualification. Integration is encouraged at three levels: within a constituent module, between modules, and across the qualification as a whole and portfolios and other final examination assignments, demonstrating proof of professional development by offering evidence and reflective insights of their learning. Reflections on learning assist learners in self-assessment of own learning - promoting deep learning and constructivism.

Integrated assessment enables learners to demonstrate that they can integrate knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that match the purpose of the qualification. Assessment is most effective when it reflects an understanding of learning as multi-dimensional, integrated and revealed in performance over time and incorporates SAQA's critical outcomes.

Applied competence is the central purpose of the integrated assessment. The focus is on learners' ability to apply their theoretical knowledge and understanding in solving educational problems, discussing educational issues.

Assessors use a range of strategies that are informed by and related to the purpose of the qualification and the NQF level at which the qualification is registered.
The Department of Informatics adheres to the assessment procedures as prescribed by the university and implements these procedures as follow for the undergraduate courses:

The examination schedule per course is compiled in accordance with the Examination Regulations of the Faculty, as well as the General Examination regulations of the University.

Minimum examination mark: In order to pass a course a learner must obtain an examination mark of at least 40% and a final mark of at least 50%.

Admission to examination: In order to be admitted to the final examination in a course, a semester/year mark of at least 40% is required, with the exception of first year courses on the first semester level, where a semester mark of at least 30% is required. In addition, all other examination admission requirements must be complied with, as applicable to the specific course.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The institution forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly. The institution's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook.

Most international universities do not offer honours Degrees, but four-year bachelor Degrees. In Australia, the Degrees always include at least one six-month job placement (industry based learning). The University of Technology in Sydney, presents a BIT three-year degree with two six-month placements. The BIT degree at the University of New South Wales, also include a six-month job placement but stretches over four years.

In the Netherlands the degree is referred to as a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (B.ICT) and stretches over 4 years. Subjects include Informatics, Computer Engineering, Information Science or Software Engineering.

The South African institution compares favourably with the above qualifications in relation to the modules, structure and duration.

In Australia, there are four Bachelor degrees that show similarities:

Bachelor of Business Information Systems (La Trobe University, Melbourne).

Bachelor of Business Information Systems (University of Wollongong).

Bachelor of Information Technology (Information Systems Development) (University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.

Bachelor of Information Technology (Information Systems) (Queensland University of Technology).

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Information Technology Studies, NQF Level 9.

Master of Information Technology in Information Systems, NQF Level 9.

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.	University of Pretoria