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: 

Diploma in Information Technology in Support Services 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115641  Diploma in Information Technology in Support Services 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  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  360  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

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 
A qualifying learner at this level is competent in the development of IT systems in a distributed computing environment, after specialising in the following field:

Support Services:
Identifies the various types of end users and explore their possible needs. These needs include support in the use of existing software packages, basic maintenance of computers and equipment, and support for the development of end users' own computer applications. Support services will also include management of information centres. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification will implement RPL.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate without endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the qualification, as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved, either through education and training in a single provider's learning programme, or through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner should have the ability to:
    1. Analyse and design software solutions to industry related Information Technology problems.
    2. Utilise the required technical skills to effectively implement the designed solutions in a distributed IT environment.
    3. Utilise the required technical skills to design and implement solutions in data communications, networks and the internet environment.
    4. Demonstrate the effective utilisation of business and management skills to bridge the gap between the IT discipline and the business functional areas in industry.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to use hardware to its full potential by understanding the technical operation of hardware and to control it on a low level.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to provide support services. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Modern analysis and design techniques and methodologies are applied in the development of IT software systems.
  • Multi-platform environments are integrated effectively.
  • Effectively design database structures to support IT business systems.
  • Provide solutions for specific business situations.

    2. User interface design principles are applied.
  • To implement designed IT solutions, the appropriate software programming languages and development environments are applied.
  • Software solutions are implemented in a client/server environment.
  • Multi-platform environments are integrated.

    3. Local area Networks are successfully implemented in a multi-platform environment.

    4. Business skills are effectively utilised in the application of technical skills in a IT business environment.
  • Management Techniques are applied to utilise IT resources effectively.

    5. Computer hardware is manipulated and described.
  • Digital electronics are used to implement basic computer functions.
  • Solutions for technical problems are provided.

    6. Manage a call centre effectively.
  • Effectively analyse different human computer interfaces.
  • Understand basic PC maintenance.

    Integrated assessment:
  • Written examination.
  • Continuous evaluation.
  • Integrated assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    SERTEC
    ETQA 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The current regulations for Technikons as stipulated by SERTEC are applicable. 

    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.