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: 

Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
123433  Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship 
ORIGINATOR
Sol Plaatje 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
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic 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
Registered  EXCO 0729/25  2025-02-04  2028-02-04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-02-04   2032-02-04  

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 purpose of the Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship is to provide the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and small business management, thereby making them more entrepreneurial and employable. The qualification further provides learners with the fundamental entrepreneurship concepts and principles and small business management and the application in real-life contexts and situations.

The qualification is intended for learners who would like to equip themselves with the skills of being self-employed instead of being dependent on a job. The qualification will thus stimulate venture creation. Furthermore, the qualification is designed to recognise the competence, knowledge and skills required for people to plan and coordinate entrepreneurial business administration functions and operations and provide business administration services in a wide range of business and organisational contexts. This qualification can provide opportunities and assist individuals to make a new beginning by starting their own businesses.

This qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to assume the responsibility, risk and rewards of starting and operating their own business. The qualification offers learners the opportunity to improve their business management skills. Finally, this qualification will prepare learners who do not comply with the minimum statutory or institutional admission requirements, for access to Diploma and Degree studies in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply fundamental knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, and small business management.
  • Discuss the main issues, concepts, and tools of a modern dynamic entrepreneurial and business environment.
  • Produce and communicate information coherently and reliably in both written and spoken language.
  • Explain the business organisation as a system within the wider context of society and the business world.
  • Apply knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, small business management, general management economics and basic bookkeeping.

    Rationale:
    Entrepreneurship is the keystone to economic growth and success of developing countries in today's time. However, in a competitive and complex business environment it needs more than just passion alone. In South Africa, it is estimated that over 90% of all businesses are in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) sector. The qualification is to provide learning opportunities for understanding the various aspects of entrepreneurship, along with the key functional skills required to practice it.

    The ever-increasing unemployment rate, the high rate of business failure and the creation of the Small Business Development Ministry provide a unique opportunity for the development and offering of this qualification. The qualification will address the Sustainable Development Goals such as Zero poverty, Quality education and innovation. The qualification will further raise the levels of employment, eliminate poverty and reduce inequality in response to the National Development Plan 2030

    As part of the institution's response to the socio-economic challenges of the country and particularly the Northern Cape Province, this qualification will assist in creating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that will contribute positively to the Northern Cape economy and the country. The qualification will provide learners with the necessary knowledge, competence and skills to work (including as lead entrepreneur) in the broad field of entrepreneurship. On successful completion, this qualification will give candidates opportunities to drive economic growth in a business environment.

    The qualification was developed in response to the growing need to provide learners with the necessary skills; or to further enhance their existing skills in establishing their own businesses thereby assisting in improving the economic landscape of the Northern Cape and South Africa. This qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to assume the responsibility, risk and rewards of starting and operating their own business. The qualification offers learners the opportunity to improve their business management skills.

    The qualification will benefit the low skilled business owners and prospective entrepreneurs in the Northern Cape who may need entrepreneurial skills and who do not meet the entry requirements of the Entrepreneurship. It will assist learners with business ideas but limited entrepreneurial skills required to execute them. The qualification will provide access to bachelor's degrees to learners who do not meet the entry requirements It will provide an opportunity for graduates from other universities and disciplines to gain basic entrepreneurial competencies and skills without having to complete another degree. The qualification will promote entrepreneurship among the entire South African community. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's RPL policy will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advance standing within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL access:
  • RPL is applicable to applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements into the qualification
  • 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.
  • Up to 10% of the intake in any year may be approved through the recognition of prior learning, whether as the result of formal or non-formal learning (incorporating experiential learning) at Level 4, or a demonstrated functional equivalent. Mature age matriculants and applicants with level 4 qualifications may be approved for entry by the Registrar.

    RPL for credits:
    RPL can only be applied where applicable to a specific discipline or programme offered at the institution.
  • Learning from other qualifications will be treated under the credit accumulation and transfer policy and are subject to the admission and selection criteria for the specific programme.
  • RPL cannot be applied to more than 50% of a qualification.
  • No credits are granted but access to a qualification may be granted.
  • RPL will not be awarded for a whole qualification but will consider the 50% rule.

    Applicants seeking access to higher education without a formal school leaving certificate or equivalent must be referred to the relevant Programme Head. The Programme Head will decide in consultation with the relevant sub-committee of the department to the Registrar. There must be an assessment focusing on whether the applicant could reasonably be expected to complete the qualification in question.

    Appeals against RPL decisions will be made to the Registrar and responded to by the relevant Head of Department in writing. The Registrar will be the final arbiter in the decision making. All learners admitted via RPL must be flagged in the ITS system as such and a record of such admissions and the learners' progress thereof must be maintained and monitored.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • 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 modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Entrepreneurship, 14 Credits.
  • Business Marketing, 12 Credits.
  • Small Business Management, 14 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Enterprise Development, 14 Credits.
  • Small Business Finance, 14 Credits.
  • Business Statistics, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Accounting 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Core Curriculum 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Core Curriculum 1B, 8 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate and apply fundamental knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, and small business management.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the main issues, concepts, and tools of a modern dynamic entrepreneurial and business environment.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to produce and communicate information coherently and reliably in both written and spoken language.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to explain the business organisation as a system within the wider context of society and the business world.
    5. Apply knowledge of entrepreneurial, small business operations, small business management, general management economics and basic bookkeeping. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain concepts, terms, rules and principles of business are explained using practical examples.
  • Explain and discuss the different functions of management.
  • Apply Mathematical knowledge and carry out calculations in a business environment.
  • Appropriately and ethically carry out all business dealings in a legal environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Explain and manage conflict and the importance of deadlines in a workplace through effective communication.
  • Demonstrate time management and decision making in the office environment
  • Verify abilities for constructive office organisation, effective office filing and troubleshooting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply communication tools in a business environment to communicate coherently with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Appropriately apply basic conventions of professional discourse in writing and orally.
  • Apply presentation skills using appropriate technology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain the core functions of different functional departments of a business organisation.
  • Discuss the business environment of a specific business to demonstrate deeper understanding of how the environment influences the business.
  • Highlight the nature of the modern dynamic office environment in terms of the demands placed on it.
  • Apply the tools of the modern office environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify the different source documents required in the bookkeeping department and explain where they are located and how they are used.
  • Appy the rules of double entry.
  • Apply subsidiary journals, the general ledger and bookkeeping practices to the different inventory systems and for creditors.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    The following will be applicable and applied in a continuous and integrated manner while addressing the following:
    Formative Assessment:
  • Formative Assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management
  • Formative assessment by means of which the achievements of learners can be recognised, discussed and appropriate follow-up steps planned.
  • These will include assignments, class tests, small group activities, case studies and presentations.
  • Formative Assessment will constitute 60%,

    Practice Assessment:
  • Practice assessment which intends to develop mastery of skills, concepts or analytical techniques.
  • This will include an integrated capstone project.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Summative assessment to record and provide feedback on the overarching performance of a student in a systematic manner.
  • This will be achieved through the writing of exams at the end of the semester/year.
  • The exams will be subjected to internal and external moderation.
  • Summative Assessment (final examination 40%). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is not comparable to any similar qualification offered internationally as most universities offer only diplomas and bachelor's degrees at entry level. This Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship has been developed for the South African context of entrepreneurship, small business operations, small business management although drawing on themes from International Qualifications. It also equips such learners with competencies required for self-employment/employment at entry level in entrepreneurship and financial management.

    The qualification has been compared to the following international sources, where the outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time have been highlighted:

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: University of Pittsburgh
    Qualification Title: Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Credits: 15 credits
    Purpose.
    The Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a unique opportunity for Business learners who wish to explore the interface between innovation and entrepreneurship as an enhancement to their business major. Entrepreneurship is the process by which the innovation is commercialized and begins generating profitable returns for the organization.

    The required experiential learning component will allow learners a hands-on opportunity to gain experience in the process of innovation and entrepreneurship in a wide variety of settings from traditional organizations to start-ups, to non-profits pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours.

    The qualification is designed as an enhancement to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree program, not as a detached curriculum. It builds upon the BSBA core curriculum and assumes that the student is earning a major in accounting, business information systems, finance, global management, human resources management, marketing, or supply chain management. Accordingly, enrolment is open only to learners in the BSBA program offered by the College of Business Administration. Enrolment is also available to learners pursuing a double degree through the College of Business Administration (BSBA) and either the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences (BS or BA) or the School of Information Sciences (BSIS).

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of both required and elective coursework focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Elective coursework allows learners to tailor their program to their specific business major and to one of three "tracks" including: corporate (innovation and development inside the organization), traditional (business ownership), and social impact (social entrepreneurship). The qualification culminates in an experience-based learning component (EBL). Learners can complete the EBL component by selecting an entrepreneurship project course, an entrepreneurship internship, or a global entrepreneurship experience.

    Learners are also strongly encouraged to participate in related non-credit entrepreneurship immersion experiences such as competitions and student organizations.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • The Entrepreneurship Process comparable to Entrepreneurship
  • Corporate Entrepreneurship comparable to Entrepreneurship.

    Elective Modules (Select one of the following):
  • Social Entrepreneurship comparable to Entrepreneurship
  • Commercializing New Technologies
  • Product Development comparable to Enterprise Development
  • Entrepreneurship, and Innovation comparable to Entrepreneurship
    And
    Elective Modules (Select one from the following):
    Note: This module should correspond to elective choices within the learner's business major and may also be counted towards the completion of the business major.
  • Accounting Information Systems
  • Investment Management
  • Advertising and Sales Promotion
  • Human Resources Staffing
  • Electronic Commerce
  • Managing Global Supply Chains
  • Project Management
  • Business Law
  • Social Entrepreneurship - Engineering for Humanity
  • Social Entrepreneurship in South Africa
    And
    Elective Modules (Select one of the following):
  • Projects in Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurial Internship
  • Global Entrepreneurship Experience

    Similarities:
  • The University of Pittsburgh (UP) and the South African (SA) qualifications are designed to provide learners with an exposure to entrepreneurship to either start and build a successful business or drive innovation inside a traditional organization.
  • Both qualifications serve a bridge to access the Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship.
  • Learners completing the UP and SA qualifications will better understand business operations and framework, how small and private businesses differ from large corporations, and how to determine market potential for new products.
  • Both qualifications culminate into a Project in Entrepreneurship

    Differences:
  • The Up qualification has 15 credit points whereas the SA qualification has 120 credits.
  • The Up qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules whereas the SA qualification consists of compulsory modules and no electives.

    Country: Namibia
    Institution: Namibian College of Open Learning
    Qualification Title: Certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship
    NQF Level: NQF Level 5
    Duration: This is a one and half-year (18 months distance education study programme)
    Entry Requirements:
  • Grade 12 Certificate (20 points in six modules)
  • E symbol in English
  • One-year relevant working experience
    Or
  • Grade 10 Certificate (25 points in six modules)
  • E symbol in English
  • 3 years relevant working experience
  • Grade 10 Certificate holders are only considered if they have the required working experience in the Business and Entrepreneurship environment.

    Purpose:
    This aim of the qualification is to provide entrepreneurial skills to school -leavers who are seeking academic qualifications for employment and midcareer professionals who wish to change their current career status and become an entrepreneur. The qualification targets those who are currently entrepreneurs but without formal qualifications in their field. An entrepreneur is an individual who takes the risk to start their own business based on an idea they have or a product they have created while assuming most of the risks and reaping most of the rewards of the business.

    This qualification is designed to:
  • Address the lack of entrepreneurship skills in the host countries
  • Support the creation and growth of sustainable small businesses by doing proper market research, business plans, product development, marketing and financial management.

    Qualification structure:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • English For General Communication.
  • Introduction to Computer.
  • Introduction to Entrepreneurship comparable to Entrepreneurship
  • Introduction to Accounting comparable to Financial Accounting.
  • The Business Environment comparable to Enterprise Development.
  • Principles of Marketing comparable to Business Marketing.
  • Business Plan Development comparable to Enterprise Development.
  • Final Project for Certificate.

    Assessment:
  • Two assignments per module.
  • Assignments will contribute 50% towards the final mark.
  • An admission mark of 50% through assignment marks is required to sit for the examination in each module.
  • One three-hour examination paper per module (exam mark will contribute 50% towards the final mark).
  • End of semester examination.

    Similarities:
  • The Namibian College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) qualification is offered over one and half-year (18 months distance education) similar to the one-year full time study in the South African (SA) qualification.
  • Both qualifications are registered at NQF Level 5.
  • The NAMCOL and the SA qualification require applicants who completed the Year 12 qualification or equivalent.
  • Both qualifications will address the shortage of entrepreneurship skills in the Southern African countries and support the creation and growth of sustainable small businesses

    Difference:
  • Formative assessment constitutes 50% and summative constitutes 50% in the NAMCOL qualification whereas the formative assessment constitutes 60% and summative assessment constitutes 40% in the SA qualification. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management Practice, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Business Principles and Practice, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Business Studies, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Entrepreneurship, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Small Business Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Innovation, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Operations, NQF Level 7.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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. Sol Plaatje 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.