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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120723  Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
EDUVOS (Pty) Ltd (Previously Pearson Institute of Higher Education (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
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
Registered  EXCO 0512/22  2022-11-22  2025-11-21 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-11-21   2029-11-21  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
84566  Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Technology  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The primary Purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to register and practise as autonomous and socially responsible Information Technology (IT) professionals, in accordance with the regulations and standards as set down by the Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA) and Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA). Furthermore the graduate should be equipped with advanced research and academic knowledge and technical skills that have applicability in the field of IT. The broad objective of the qualification is to provide a solid knowledge-base of database administration and mining, project management, business analysis and objects, research methodology, professional practice in Information Technology, and programming.

Rationale:

The primary aim of the qualification is to provide responsible Honours level learners with an advanced level of understanding of specialised academic related topics in Information Technology, grounded in a fundamental body of computing and Information Systems (IS) knowledge; who are well trained and competitive in the job market and who are motivated to continue learning and further the development of their skills throughout their professional careers.

Towards this end, the qualification:
  • Emphasises the ethical responsibility of IT professionals to:
    > Be knowledgeable and up-to-date in their understanding of data administration, software development, project management, and research on new or evolving technologies and techniques.
    > Continually improve and re-examine their knowledge of information technology issues among industry clientele.
    > Know their limitations and seek consultation, supervision or referral as appropriate.
  • Focuses on improving and expanding knowledge and skills. The qualification emphasises the importance of research, continuing education and informed interpretation of new findings and approaches. All modules stress the value of critical thinking, reflection, intellectually independent scholarship and the appreciation for staying current with professional research and thoughtfully evaluating its relevance and general applicability.
  • Prepares learners academically for the highly competitive job market. Through the stringent academic qualification and research experience graduates of the qualification will be highly competitive in the job market.
  • Encourages interaction between members of industry and faculty in related academic areas such as Software Development, Project Management, Data Administration and Data Mining, Business Oriented Service Architecture, and Soft Skills Development in IT.
  • Encourages graduates to grow into individuals who embody the ethical dimensions of justice and beneficence and to conduct themselves in a way that befits good citizenship and fosters the greater good of the profession and South Africa in particular, and Southern Africa and the rest of Africa in general. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in IT software and hardware and have knowledge of IT at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The principles of Recognition of Prior Learning are subscribed to, and will be implemented in a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access, will, however, be offset against the provision so that this is not to the detriment of the potential learner and that his/her chances to succeed are reasonable.

    Through evaluation by a specifically constituted Recognition of Prior Learning committee, learners' competencies will be assessed to determine whether they are eligible for access to, advanced placement in, or have provided evidence that the stated competence of the qualification has been achieved through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes.

    Learners may also be given credit through Recognition of Prior Learning for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The admission criteria are:
  • A Bachelor of Science: Informatics, Bachelor of Science: Internet Communication, or Bachelor of Science Computer Science Degree from MGI.
    Or
  • A Bachelor of Science: Information Technology or Bachelor of Science: Information Systems Degree or relevant Bachelor of Science: Information and Communication Technology Degree from any other registered tertiary education institution.

    Mature Age applicants or applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or with previous tertiary experience will be considered individually by the Faculty Head, through a process of Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises seven compulsory core modules. These are:
  • Information Systems IVA - Project Management Methodologies, 14 credits.
  • Software Development IVA - Advanced PDA Java Software Development, 13 credits.
  • Computer Science IVA - Business-Objects Service-Oriented Architecture, 25 credits.
  • Database IVA - Data Administration and Data Mining, 14 credits.
  • Soft Skills Development for the IT Professional, 14 credits.
  • Research Methodology, 15 credits.
  • Research Project, 30 credits.

    Individual learners are required to develop a research proposal for approval by the Faculty. Before the Bachelor of Science Honours: Information Technology Degree will be awarded learners will be required to conduct relevant research and produce a research report which meets the criteria outlined by the Faculty. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to perform effectively in a career in the field of Information Technology.

    2. Demonstrate an appropriate knowledge base as preparation for further learning.

    3. Conduct research on a relevant topic in IT.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems, creatively and responsibly in fields related to Information Technology and Information Systems.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks growing out of the fields related to Information Technology and Information Systems.
  • Manage and organise own activities and life responsibly and effectively, including own studies and career.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information as required in pursuit of the qualification.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation, in sustained discourse.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader business community.
  • Plan and execute a research project using acceptable scientific methodologies and to show a complex level of engagement of their results with professional literature in the field. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The first set of Associated Assessment Criteria apply to the first two Exit Level Outcomes and are applied in an integrated manner through the modules, and the second set applies to the Research Exit Level Outcome.

    Set One:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles involved in project management methodologies.
  • Distinguish between the different project management methodologies and how each of those methodologies can be applied in an organisation or corporate environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of project management methodologies and how the methodologies differ from each other.
  • Demonstrate understanding of platform components.
  • Demonstrate understanding and use of current relevant Application Programming Interface (API) documentation, making use of relevant application software.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of Small Mobile Device Technologies and Consumer Embedded Device Technologies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Fundamentals of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and apply Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) principles to present platform components and environment.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the Consumer environment and of Middleware.
  • Integrate the assembly environment and demonstrate knowledge of Asset management.
  • Develop a Service infrastructure and monitor Applications.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of web service protocols.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of data mining.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the use of Decision Support Systems in an organisation and how those systems can help an organisation gain a strategic advantage.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the differences in database design for a Data Warehouse.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the principles involved in soft skills and be able to implement them successfully.
  • Distinguish between the different types of soft skills and how each of those soft skills can be applied in an organisation or corporate environment.

    Set Two:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the research process in practice and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
  • Search electronic databases for information and construct an own research question, and through analysis of the problem and the evaluation of previous research construct a feasible research proposal.
  • Write a literature review according to academic writing criteria and demonstrate understanding of ethics in business research.
  • Explain the use of various data collection methods, develop a sample plan, construct an own questionnaire, demonstrate understanding of different levels of measurement and scales and analyse data statistically.
  • Write up and present research outcomes.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Midrand Graduate Institute practices an integrated system of assessment, in terms of which learners are assessed on an on-going basis. Both formative and summative assessment methods are used. Learners are required to complete class tests, assignments (including practical work and projects) and examinations, the results of which count towards the final mark for each module. The components of the final mark are determined separately for each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared with quality qualifications offered internationally. Given that it incorporates the latest trends, developments and knowledge in a rapidly changing and advancing field, it compares favourably with similar qualifications offered at:
  • Bond University, Australia.
  • National institute of Industrial Engineering India; Post Graduate Diploma in IT Management.
  • University of Sydney:
    > Cambridge University, Delegacy of Local Exams (UK).
    > University of Southern Queensland (Australia).
    > University of Wellington (New Zealand).

    The qualification conforms with the general requirements for an Honours Degree in that it contains advanced specialist knowledge and a research component involving a mini-dissertation. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate qualification at NQF Level 8.

    This Qualification articulates vertically with the Master of Science: Information Technology, NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal Moderation:

    The lecturer/s responsible for a particular module is/are appointed as internal examiner/s for that module. Internal examiners are responsible for marking of all assessments related to the module for which they are responsible.

    External Moderation:

    All final assessments at all levels of the curriculum are moderated by academic staff of public higher education institutions or by appropriately qualified industry practitioners.

    An external examiner is appointed in respect of each module.
    All external examiners must have the following attributes:
  • Appropriate academic qualifications and/or practical experience.
  • Subject expertise in the field in question.
  • Previous experience as an external examiner in an equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. EDUVOS (Pty) Ltd (Previously Pearson Institute of Higher Education (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.