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
123966  Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship 
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  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
Reregistered  EXCO 0429/25  2025-02-04  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
101750  Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification will help to address the need for entrepreneurs and small business managers.

A large demand for entrepreneurial and small businesses exists in South Africa, in particular considering the scale of unemployment experienced. Graduates will be able to identify and evaluate financing, investor and funding options, partnership models, operational requirements, target markets, product and service demands, perform competitor analysis, infrastructure requirements and processes that are critical for the successful running of businesses or business projects. They will have a good grasp of the project administration processes, human resource management and marketing principles that will underpin business success, and have the ability to coordinate the implementation and rollout of small and medium-sized business ventures.

Creative thinking will be integrated throughout the qualification to prepare learners to acknowledge and challenge conventional systems solution approaches and to help solve problems innovatively and responsibly - both collaboratively in teams and independently. Practical application that simulates workplace learning will be integrated into all core modules as exercises, assignments or portfolios that include case studies and business simulation projects.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to identify business opportunities and assess the viability thereof. They will be equipped with key business and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to create business ventures and manage and grow small businesses and establish start-up ventures and business projects. Key business concepts included in this qualification include: management principles, human resource management, using technology in business, project administration, finance and marketing. These key skills have been identified by industry experts and academics as the most relevant and important for a qualification of this nature.

Learning and application of knowledge supported with modules selected to enhance, contextualise and supplement the core learning and to support the achievement of outcomes effectively. Appropriate overlap and cross-referencing across topics and modules provide an interconnected, cohesive learning experience which will require students to demonstrate the impact of their marketing activities on the growth and sustainability of an organisation.

Rationale:
The Higher Certificate in Entrepreneurship will provide learners with an industry-focused vocational skillset that focuses on entrepreneurship and small business management. Learners will be introduced to critical aspects of small business management and entrepreneurship to enable them to successfully start and grow a small business or to operate as an entrepreneur. They will be able to identify business opportunities, assess the viability of each and systematically work through the required processes to bring the business to operation.

Career opportunities for graduates of this degree have been identified in entry-level positions such as:
  • Entrepreneur.
  • Small business manager/owner.
  • Project administrator.

    This qualification will adequately prepare graduates to enrol for further studies at Higher Education institutions, for examination, Bachelor of Commerce. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners can achieve this qualification in part through Recognition of Prior Learning. The RPL recognises and makes provision for relevant, demonstrated experience through formal and informal learning. Learners may apply for credits for subjects successfully completed. The RPL Policy directs the rules and processes in this regard.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Senior Certificate (SC) with an appropriate level of achievement in the English Language.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 125 Credits.
    Modules:
  • Business Communication, 10 Credits.
  • Business Management Principles, 15 Credits.
  • Business Mathematics, 10 Credits.
  • Creative Thinking, 10 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management Principles, 10 Credits.
  • Project Management Administration, 10 Credits.
  • Business Information Systems, 10 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, 25 Credits.
  • Finance for Small Business, 15 Credits.
  • Marketing Practice, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate professionally and effectively in a business environment.
    2. Identify business opportunities, develop and present a complete business plan with a viability study to establish, manage and grow one of these opportunities as a new business venture.
    3. Develop a marketing plan for a new business venture.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to manage key aspects of a small business in terms of its finances, human resources and infrastructure.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to use information systems and technology effectively in a business. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Communicate information professionally in verbal and written format in a business.
  • Communicate professionally in a collaborative forum.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify a variety of sources relevant to the identification of new business opportunities.
  • Evaluate potential new business opportunities and prepare a viability study for selected opportunities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify a target market for a specific business venture.
  • Identify and evaluate the most appropriate approaches and promotional activities to reach a specific target market.
  • Define the integration of digital marketing methods and strategies into conventional marketing plans.
  • Identify the critical factors related to successful digital marketing campaigns.
  • Develop a marketing plan to promote and grow a new business venture.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify business functions, processes and operations critical to business success.
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage people in a small business to maximise production and promote harmony in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret and manage a small business's finances.
  • Identify a variety of approaches to fund and finance a business venture successfully and effectively.
  • Identify the infrastructure and resources required for different business ventures, and factors critical to the management thereof.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify good practice principles for using information and communication technologies effectively in business.
  • Use relevant business and office software packages, and web-based applications to meet business objectives and targets.
  • Create electronic presentations and spreadsheets using appropriate software.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Best assessment practices are consistently applied in all assessments (formative and summative) as a matter of course.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment is incorporated into all qualifications and serves the purpose of guiding, directing and measuring effectiveness of learning and teaching. Through relevant feedback, learners will receive guidance and direction to help improve their focus to maximise academic success. Various instruments are used, relevant to the subject area - this may include: assignments, activities, projects, case studies or portfolios.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment is conducted in the form of a final examination, invigilated under examination conditions. It serves to judge accomplishment of learning in context of the Exit Level Outcomes and specific module objectives. Summative assessments aim to include, as far as possible, the integrated skills, competencies and knowledge in the context of the qualification as a whole - there will thus typically be a certain level of cross-referencing between subjects and topics across the qualification. Instruments will be used for summative assessment may include one or more of the following, depending on the subject content: examinations, projects, reports and portfolio of evidence. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Comparison was made with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate offered by Stanford University, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management from Berkeley University, and Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from Kogod School of business in Washington DC.

    Stanford's qualification offers a choice of 8 modules which cover: design thinking, innovation, social marketing, business models, finance, marketing and negotiation. Berkeley's main topics include: entrepreneurship, opportunity recognition, finance, new venture planning and management, marketing and a range of related electives. Kogod's qualification includes entrepreneurship and innovation, new venture planning, and electives such as business management strategic alliances and management topics.

    Compared to the three qualifications above, this qualification is in line with what appears to be the most recognised topics in demand by qualifications of this nature. The structure of the qualification accommodates the key concepts covered in the foreign qualifications either as full modules or are incorporated into the various modules as chapters. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation possibilities:
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Students will receive credit for relevant subjects completed successfully, should they wish to transfer into another qualification that may become accredited, depending on the similarities between the subjects in terms of: NQF level, subject content, outcomes and assessment criteria. They will also be able to apply for credits for subjects completed, should they wish to transfer to another institution within the HEQSF, depending on that institution's policy and rules in this regard.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Business Management or Entrepreneurship, Level 6.
  • Certain degree programmes in the field of management or entrepreneurship, level 7. 
    		•

    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. 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.