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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Project Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119967  Higher Certificate in Project Management 
ORIGINATOR
Academic Institute of Excellence (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Project Management 
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 0333/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

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 Project Management will provide learners with an industry-focused vocational skillset that focuses on the set of tools and techniques used for the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closing of projects, which are applicable across a range of various problem domains. The qualification will enhance work readiness and provide entry into the field. A Project Manager applies knowledge of project management to achieve project objectives in a specific field of application.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Identify a project to address specific project objectives and analyse potential risks and hazards presented in a construction project, design and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Plan and prepare the delivery of project management principles to effectively identify, implement, and monitor various resources in a construction project.
  • Execute and control the delivery of a project management plan, and implement the processes involved in constituting, managing, and resourcing an effective project team to ensure successful project execution.
  • Manage the project close-out process.
  • Apply project management principles and tools in a specific area of specialisation.
  • Implement the processes involved in constituting, managing, and resourcing an effective project team to ensure successful project execution.
  • Communicate effectively with project team members, and stakeholders within the business environment.
  • Gain an understanding of the pillars of a business and how these relate to operations management and the achievement of an organisation's strategic goals.

    A qualifying learner will be able to communicate effectively with project team members and stakeholders; understand the role of the project management function in ensuring projects are delivered on time, on schedule, and within budget; and be able to apply various project management tools and techniques as relevant to a given project domain.

    Rationale:
    The current demand for project managers is high with The Project Management Institute (PMIŽ) expecting 22 million new project management job openings through 2027 across a variety of industries in the public sector. Africa's market of middle-class consumers is also expected to soar to 1.1 billion by 2060, which deems the need for increased services and development projects.

    In South Africa, project management within the field of operations, construction and information technology management can realise the need for better service delivery by maximising current resource potential to ensure fewer funds are expensed on project overruns, prevent unrealistic asset acquisition through strategic execution of the physical infrastructure via resourceful vendors, as well as enhance the existing digital platforms organisations operate within to minimise human inputs, increasing the capacity of the current workforce.

    The qualification is diverse in its content and style and is academically challenging through the inclusion of identified critical skills requirements linked to core Project Management skills within the three major occupational growth areas, namely operations and finance, infrastructure, and information technology, recognised locally as well as internationally, as being major enablers and drivers of focussed economic growth worldwide. It intends to strike a balance in the qualification of both the conceptual (knowledge) and contextual (practical) aspects of the learning experience. Project Managers however can work in a variety of fields, from Information and Communication Technology, Human Resources, Advertising, Marketing, Construction and more.

    The qualification is intended to be an entry-level qualification aligned to International Project Management Standards (PMI) as well as to Project Management South Africa (PMSA).
    Project Managers are the people in charge of a specific project or projects within a company or a government entity and any small- or large-scale development project requires high-quality project management skills.
    Improved service delivery and economic growth in South Africa are dependent on the quality of project management skills available in the country. Project management is a cross-cutting function, needed in all social and economic sectors.

    The area-specific specialisation of the qualification allows the qualification to further affiliate with or be endorsed by the following institutes:
  • SACPCMP (South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions) has acknowledged the qualification for endorsement.
  • This qualification is also aimed at contributing towards the skills development of project management practitioners in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in alignment with the requirements of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA). Furthermore, this qualification will, in part, contribute to the requirements set by IITPSA for ICT practitioners to obtain professional recognition as Certified Members of ITPSA (CMIITPSA).

    Career opportunities exist in various entry-level positions:
  • Project Support Officer.
  • Project Administrator.
  • Junior Project Manager.
  • Junior Construction Site Manager.
  • Junior Plant and Fleet Manager. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, totalling 135 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5,90 Credits:
  • Digital Literacy, 10 Credits.
  • Business Communication, 10 Credits.
  • Business Mathematics, 10 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Project Management, 10 Credits.
  • Project Scope and Time Management, 10 Credits.
  • Project Human Resource Management, 10 Credits.
  • Project Cost and Procurement Management, 10 Credits.
  • Project Quality Management,10 Credits.
  • WIL Project, 10 Credits.

    Specialisations:
    Elective Modules, Level 5, 45 Credits:
  • Operation Management, 15 Credits.
  • Supply chain Management, 15 Credits.
  • Risk Management, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Elective Modules, Level 5, 45 Credits:
  • Construction Scheduling and Resource Management, 15 Credits.
  • Construction OHS Management, 15 Credits.
  • Construction Finance and Administration, 15 Credits.
    Or
    Elective Modules, Level 5, 45 Credits:
  • IT Service Management, 15 Credits.
  • Business Information System,15 Credits.
  • IT System Development, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.Demonstrate the ability to communicate professionally and effectively in a business environment.
    2.Apply end-user applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations in a business setting.
    3.Demonstrate the ability to apply relevant mathematical and statistical methods to perform business calculations, and to analyse, report and represent numerical data and information.
    4.Implement the processes involved in constituting, managing, and resourcing an effective project team to ensure successful project execution.
    5.Apply project management principles to the management of various aspects of projects, including scope, budget, and time constraints.
    6.Apply organisational design and performance issues and the strategies, models and approaches used by organisations in the management of their operations.
    7.Identify risks that apply to a project and analyse threats and opportunities to develop responses that mitigate the risks. (Operation management).
    8.Apply functions such as planning, purchasing, inventory control, transportation and warehousing. (Operation management).
    9.Apply project management principles to effectively identify, implement, and monitor various resources in a construction project.
    10.Apply different types of Business Information Systems and the application of information technology in business.
    11.Apply the principles, tools and approaches of software engineering related to building high-quality and reliable software on time and on budget.
    12. Apply the considerations related to the development and management of IT services and service desk functions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Communicate professionally in verbal and written format in each business context.
  • Apply Information Technology tools and applications are utilised to communicate effectively.
  • Apply technical information and solutions presented to a specified target audience using appropriate methods and tools.
  • Apply problem-solving skills to determine effective communication approaches suitable to a given context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply end-user applications in business contexts to produce and present documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations to meet specified requirements.
  • Develop a working team to complete a project and present a solution to a given business problem that integrates the use of end-user applications.
  • Outline solution improvement or enhancement of business processes using common end-user applications.
  • Provide Online research to gather information required for the completion of academic and technical reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Data is summarised to allow for effective reporting and visualised using graphs.
  • Develop graphs and models that use probabilities to make predictions and study problems.
  • Calculate various aspects of costs and revenue relevant to specified workplace settings that are accurately measured and estimated.
  • Apply simple and compound interest are calculated to various financial scenarios.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Conduct stakeholder analysis for a given project scenario.
  • Explain HR considerations for constituting and managing effective project teams.
  • Identify team management and managerial functions that can be related to a project scenario
  • Resource equipment needed for a given project.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify and analyse the relevant scope of projects documented, to stakeholders to a given project.
  • Identify time constraints and dependencies used to plan project schedules and milestones.
  • Analyse project costs to prepare budgets and forecasts.
  • Develop a project plan to meet the requirements of a given scenario, including stakeholders and resource requirements.
  • Present project updates and solutions using specified tools to a specified target audience
  • Describe and develop a portfolio of the project and the component of the solution.
    Working as part of a team to complete a project in the learner's relevant area of specialisation, the team and collaboration are managed efficiently and effectively, and all team members contribute to the success of the project.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Identify pillars of a business and how these relate to operations management and the achievement of an organisation's strategic goals.
  • Analyse and identify a quantitative approach for decision-making for improvement in specified operations scenarios.
  • Identify project management methodologies relevant to a given project for the execution of operational plans.
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Explain risk and compliance issues related to projects and organisations.
  • Outline project risk management plan is developed for a given project scenario.
  • Identify and interpret relevant legislation and regulations to determine compliance requirements impacting the team, department, or division.
  • Identify and develop areas of non-compliance and mitigation measures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Describe and compare various resources involved in a construction project.
  • Assess the coordination of tasks and procurement using construction planning methods that are carried out.
  • Explain the best practice guidelines for the acquisition, storage, and dispensation of fuel on a construction site.
  • Explore various tools to monitor track and control work progress.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Define and interpret the functional process of the supply chain in the business environment.
  • Identify and explain the impact of issues and opportunities affecting the supply chain in relevance to a given business scenario
    > Interpret and illustrate how the utilisation of systems and processes can significantly influence the selection of suppliers in the supply chain management environment.
  • Identify and illustrate the impact of major issues and challenges within logistics management.
  • Devise and articulate approaches in addressing major logistics issues and challenges.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Use different computer systems and their application in organisations and society.
  • Describe a range of IT components related to hardware, software, data, networking, and the cloud.
  • Describe and compare the different types of computer systems used in business.
  • Explain and compare different approaches to systems development.
  • Explain how relevant information systems are selected for given a specific scenario given their suitability in the given scenario.
    > Identify security and ethical concerns related to the use of information systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Explain and apply agile and traditional approaches for information systems development for given scenarios.
  • Identify and explain the key stages of software development lifecycles.
  • Explain and apply requirements gathering, analysis and design processes in the development of interfaces, components, and processes.
  • Explain implementation, testing and maintenance considerations related to information systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • Explain the characteristics of IT Service Management and service lifecycles
  • Recommend service design, operation, and improvement approaches according to the needs of a given scenario
  • Analyse stakeholder, finance, and capacity issues in relation to the provisioning of IT services
  • Describe concepts related to IT service desks and incident management
  • Describe the management of applications and technical resources as it relates to providing IT services.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Formative Assessments:
  • There is continuous formative assessment to ensure that learners receive feedback on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes.
  • Formative assessments are conducted on a regular basis using tests, observation, portfolio reviews and presentations to monitor learner progress.

    Formative assessment can be applied through various approaches:
  • Written assignments.
  • Practical assignments.
  • Projects.
  • Presentations.
  • Written class tests.
  • Practical class tests.
  • Portfolios.

    Summative Assessments:
    Summative assessment concerned with the evaluation of learning achievements relative to exit levels of the qualification includes overall integrated assessment, which evaluates the learners' ability to combine the various components and modules of the broader scope of knowledge skills and competencies represented by the exit level outcomes leading to the qualification.

    Summative assessment can be applied through the following approaches:
  • Written examinations.
  • Practical examinations.
  • Project portfolios.
  • Project presentations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom (UK)
    Institution: Brentwood Open Learning College
    Qualification Title: Project Management Qualification.

    Modules:
  • Overview of Project Management
  • Project Life Cycle
  • Project Integration Management
  • Project Scope Management
  • Project Time Management
  • Project Cost Management
  • Project Quality Management
  • Project Human Resource Management

    The UK qualification is offered online and covers professional human resource management, project time management, cost control, accurate estimation of project costs and a wide variety of essential project management tools.

    Successful candidates will find themselves armed with the highly sought-after skills and knowledge required to take control of demanding business projects at any level.

    Similarities:
    Both the UK and SA qualifications have the following similar modules.
  • Overview of Project Management:
  • Project Time Management
  • Project Human Resource Management
  • Project Procurement Management

    Differences:
  • The UK qualification only offers compulsory modules, whereas the SA qualification offers both compulsory and elective modules to allow learners the opportunity to choose an area of specialisation.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution: College of Contract Management (UK).
    Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma - Construction Civil Management (Level 5 similar to the SA qualification).
    Duration Two years
    Modules include:
  • Health, Safety and Environment.
  • Tendering and Procurement (similar to the SA qualification).
  • Contract Administration.
  • Cost Management (similar to the SA qualification).
    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications have the procurement and cost management modules.
  • Although the UK qualification is an advanced Diploma it is at the same level as the SA qualification.

    Differences:
  • The UK qualification is facilitated as a 2-year qualification (6 modules per year), and the SA qualification is offered in 1 year.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: Curtin University.
    Qualification Title: Project Management Qualification.
    This is a one-year full-time qualification with 200 Credits.
    Curtin's project management offers a broad approach to project management, learners can apply their learning to a wide range of industries, including construction, engineering, education, health, commerce, information technology, and research and development.

    Exit Level Outcome:
  • Describe and apply the principles, concepts, tools, techniques, and processes of project management.
  • Think critically and reflectively to analyse project management problems and issues and generate practical effective solutions to facilitate project success.
  • Source, critically evaluate and synthesise information to support comprehension and decision-making in a project environment.
  • Communicate effectively graphically, orally, and in writing, with academic, professional and community stakeholders.
  • Use appropriate technologies for the facilitation of project management processes.
  • Use a range of strategies that will enable continued learning.
  • Appreciate the cultural diversity of the wider community and its impacts on project management.
  • Conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner; demonstrate skills in leadership, self-motivation and working in teams.

    Modules offered at Curtin:
  • Procurement (similar to the SA qualification).
  • Project accounts.
  • Risk identification.
  • Risks quantification/analysis.
  • Risk response.
  • Risk monitoring and control (Similar to the SA qualification).
  • TQM:
  • Quality assurance.
  • Quality control and quality improvements. (Similar to the SA qualification).

    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications are offered in one year.
  • In both qualifications learners are expected to communicate professionally and effectively in the business environment.

    Differences:
  • The Curtin qualification has a weighting of 200 credits, whereas the SA qualification has a weighing of 120 credits. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management in Project Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Occupational Certificate: Project Management, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    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. Academic Institute of Excellence (Pty) Ltd 


    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.