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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Business Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
124609  Higher Certificate in Business Practice 
ORIGINATOR
SACOB South African College of Business (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
Registered  EXCO 0633/25  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 purpose of the Higher Certificate in Business Practice qualification is to ensure that learners who complete the qualification are equipped with a well-rounded, introductory-understanding of the sub-discipline of business practice and attendant theories, principles and concepts, and that they are prepared with associated practical competencies, which reflect embodied epistemological and ontological transformations realised as part of a fit-for-purpose learning experience. This qualification aims to empower learners to demonstrate problem-solving capabilities, accountability, and conduct appropriate to professional and academic contexts at NQF level 5.

The qualification aims to facilitate entry into the business practice and associated fields of practice, such as project management, business management, entrepreneurship and business administration at the entry level. Learners who complete the qualification should first embody (as competencies) basic applied competence in the contemporary business context, to the extent that they can demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, modern business management and administration practice, as well as e-commerce.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an informed understanding of entrepreneurs' social and economic role, and demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the key considerations for establishing new businesses.
  • Demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the bookkeeping, accounting and financial principles and practices used in contemporary business.
  • Demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the management of business projects throughout the project management life cycle.
  • Demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the legal framework within which South African businesses operate.
  • Demonstrate the professional skills that are required for successful integration into contemporary and future vocational contexts.

    The qualification outcomes of this qualification intend to facilitate the acquisition of competencies in the core literacies that are necessary to function optimally in an academic context. As such, learners who complete the qualification must demonstrate applied competence in the literacies required for successful entry-level integration into Higher Education and work-related contexts.

    The qualification aims to facilitate vertical and horizontal access to alternative academic pathways. The qualification allows vertical articulation, for learners to progress to a cognate Diploma or Bachelors qualification of their choice, as the admission requirement. Such cognate qualifications potentially include an Advanced Certificate or Diploma in Business Management, or a Bachelor of Business Administration.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is predominantly framed from a vocational perspective with an emphasis on industry (CHE, 2013: 27). The institution seeks to contribute to meeting the demand for entry-level business practitioners in the South African labour market. The qualification also recognises the dual role and purpose of a higher certificate. The entry-level academic qualification will prepare learners for further higher education study.

    The qualification seeks to create entry-level, industry access points for general business practitioners. In addition, the qualification also aims to induct learners into the softer skills and values that are accentuated in the discourse around the fourth and even fifth industrial revolutions. The skills and values feature strongly in the 21st-century context, but they resonate even more powerfully in the context of a global pandemic and will likely continue to be sought-after graduate attributes post-COVID-19.

    With reference to available career opportunities in the field, a competent workforce is evidently in high demand in the contemporary South African business sector. For example, Career Junction delineates current, promising career sectors such as information technology, business and management, sales, finance, and administration, office and support. Moreover, according to Career Junction, some of the most in-demand competencies relate to departmental management, which constitutes an area of practice that may appeal to learners as they continue to advance their careers.

    Additionally, according to Career Junction's Paul Byrne, projections relating to job opportunities in the business management sector appear to be promising. Even though some of the careers mentioned in this interview relate to intermediate or senior level job opportunities, we argue that a successful candidate who complete the Higher Certificate in Business Practice may gain access to entry level positions as generalists, and may then potentially elevate their professional practice, and advance their careers to gain access to intermediate or senior positions in the field.

    Career Junction's recent career forecasts are confirmed by the National List of Occupations in Higher Demand, published by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This publication corroborates the demand for practitioners in business practice, and lists Retail General Manager, Management Consultant, Qualification or Project Manager and Sales Manager as sought-after occupations. A basic job search on the Internet yields many potential entry-level career options for successful candidates, including the following examples:
  • Office Administrator
  • Trainee Manager
  • Project Administrator
  • Junior Project Manager Trainee
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Sales and Office Administrator
  • Department Manager
  • Store Manager
  • Retail Supervisor

    The qualification balances an array of knowledge types, which, collectively, contribute to the overarching body of knowledge in the field, at NQF 5, in the context of a Higher Certificate. Therefore, the qualification seeks to equip learners with skills and knowledge to secure successful career opportunities, to understand and manage their own lifelong learning journey, and to ultimately embody integrity and accountability in their future contributions to South African society and the economy alike. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    RPL access to the qualification will be operationalised according to the institution's RPL policy and procedures, which align with the CHE's (2016) current policy for RPL.

    RPL for access or credit/exemption is realised by recognising learning previously obtained through various alternative learning interventions, formal and informal education and training, on-the-job training, formal and informal coaching and mentoring, self-study, experience, and in-house training.

    The institution also considers adequate maturity levels and the knowledge and skills gained through relevant working experience to assess a learner's ability to meet the entry requirements for a qualification. Provision is made for a small number of learners (ten per cent maximum) to be admitted to the qualification through RPL.

    In addition to RPL for access/admission to the qualification, RPL candidates who can demonstrate proficiency in any module in the qualification may be granted exemption/credit according to the 50/50 rule. This may occur upon applying to the RPL facilitator and after the successful submission of competence or assessment outputs consistent with the institution's RPL policy and practices (as aligned to the CHE policy on RPL, 2016).

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, Level 4, granting access to higher certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational), 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 National Qualifications Framework Level 5, totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits
  • Academic, Digital and Computer Literacy, 15 Credits.
  • E-Commerce, 15 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship, 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Business Management and Administration, 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Commercial Law, 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Financial Concepts, 15 Credits.
  • Professional Skills for the 21st Century, 15 Credits.
  • Project Management Basics, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of and basic applied competence in contemporary business management, administration practice, and e-commerce.
    2. Demonstrate an informed understanding of entrepreneurs' social and economic roles and basic applied competence in the key considerations for establishing new businesses.
    3. Demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the bookkeeping, accounting and financial principles and practices used in contemporary business.
    4. Demonstrate an informed understanding of basic techniques applied in the management of business projects throughout the project management life cycle
    5. Demonstrate an informed understanding of, and basic applied competence in, the legal framework within which South African businesses operate
    6. Demonstrate the professional skills required for successful integration into contemporary and future vocational contexts.
    7. Demonstrate applied competence in the literacies required for successful entry-level integration into Higher Education and work-related contexts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Describe the role of business organisations in generating products and services from limited resources to meet the needs and wants of consumers.
  • Apply knowledge of the various business functions and their significance to contemporary scenarios.
  • Illustrate an understanding of the relationships between the core areas of business management and the core areas of e-commerce and apply knowledge in this regard in familiar settings.
  • Prepare basic documentation that will assist in the administration of selected business functions in familiar contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Describe the role of entrepreneurs as problem-solvers in social and economic contexts.
  • Explain how processes and practices in relation to entrepreneurship are interconnected with business processes and practices, and apply knowledge in familiar contexts.
  • Apply knowledge in relation to the establishment of new enterprises to familiar settings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Describe the basic structure and elements of financial statements.
  • Explain how different financial transactions are recorded in the accounts books and how they affect the financial position and or performance of the business.
  • Use the key financial ratios to interpret the financial results of a business.
  • Explain how VAT is administered and accounted for in the books of account.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain the project life cycle as it applies to projects in a business context.
  • Apply procedures, techniques and methods involved in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing projects in familiar business settings.
  • Prepare basic documentation that will assist in the administration of projects in familiar business contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Describe the legislation that regulates contracts of sale and lease, as well as credit agreements, in South Africa, and apply this knowledge to familiar scenarios.
  • Explain the labour law framework within which businesses conduct their practices in the South African context and apply knowledge in this regard in familiar contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Illustrate awareness of interpersonal and intercultural communication in contemporary and future workplace contexts.
  • Conceptualise and construct the written and online collateral required to access future professional opportunities.
  • Conceptualise and build adequate business documentation in various formats relevant to familiar scenarios.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Describe the literacies required for successful study in the contemporary Higher Education context and apply this knowledge in searching and generating academic collateral and resolving problems.
  • Describe the basic academic research process.
  • Construct an academic text under relevant academic and grammatical conventions.
  • Apply knowledge of computer applications to the selection, navigation and utilisation of appropriate, recognised word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software as well as electronic mail and Internet search engines in appropriate academic and professional contexts.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated assessment is essential to ensuring that the purpose of the qualification is achieved in relation to the occupational focus carried by the qualifier, and in terms of its propositional and declarative knowledge requirements, vocational relevance and reflexive competency. Successful learners will undertake an extensive process of assessment that progressively develops their integrated competency to a point where learners are able to demonstrate that they can operate effectively in an entry-level occupational position in the target field of practice specified by the qualification title across a range of modalities of assessment.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment integrates the cycle of teaching and learning and assessment. Digital Course Books and Moodle learning collateral contain self-assessment quizzes. The scheme of work includes formal formative assessments in the form of written assignments conceptualised around case study material, based on the learning material, and learners are graded and provided with written feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work, and it is limited in the number of outcomes assessed.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessments occur in the form of summative portfolios of evidence or summative written assignments conceptualised around case study material or summative written assignments which assess a representative selection of the outcomes that are practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge in order to achieve the stated exit level outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: Open Polytechnic (OP)
    Qualification title: Certificate in Business (Small Business)
    Credits: 60
    NZQF Level 4.

    Entry requirements
  • 40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits.
    Or
  • Relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2 or above.
    Or
  • A recognised equivalent.

    Qualification structure:
  • Business Planning.
  • Business Relationships and Technology, comparable to Academic, Digital and Computer Literacy.
  • Business Marketing and Human Resources.
  • Business Finance and Improvement, comparable to Introduction to Financial Concepts.

    Qualification Outcome:
  • Develop a business plan for a small business, which is suitable for external stakeholders, and which addresses management of finances, HR, marketing, technology, relationships with stakeholders, sources of information and support.
  • Operate and manage a small business to improve business performance and meet stakeholder requirements.
  • Behave professionally and ethically and in a socially and culturally responsible manner, and apply personal and interpersonal skills to manage a small business.

    Similarities:
  • Open Polytechnic (OP) and South African (SA) qualifications offer comparable modules like Business Finance and Improvement, as well as Business Relationships and Technology.
  • Both OP and SA qualifications have comparable outcomes that equip learners to create a business plan, act in a professional and ethical manner, and be socially and culturally responsible.

    Difference:
  • Open Polytechnic (OP) qualifications consist of 60 credits, whereas the South (SA) requires at least 120 credits.
  • OP qualification is at NZQF Level 4, while the SA qualification is at NQF Level 5.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: Swinburne University of Technology (SUT)
    Qualification title: Bachelor of Business: Business Administration.
    Duration: Three years full-time.

    Entry requirements
  • Year 12 or equivalent.
    Or
  • An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course.
    Or
  • Applicants who have not met the entry criteria through their academic studies can have their work experience considered.

    Qualification structure:
  • Business for Sustainability, Social Change and Impact.
  • Managing Workplace Relations.
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Big Data Management.
  • Law of Commerce, comparable to Introduction to Commercial Law.
  • Knowledge Management and Analytics.
  • Strategic Planning.
  • Project Management Essentials, comparable to Project Management Basics.

    Qualification outcomes:
    Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Business, students will be able to:
  • Apply and integrate business-relevant knowledge, theories, concepts, technologies, practices and processes.
  • Obtain, analyse and interpret relevant information and data to make informed business decisions.
  • Formulate innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems.
  • Use legal, ethical, and social frameworks to support diversity and equity regarding gender, Indigeneity, and multiculturalism when developing authentic business content.
  • Effectively communicate business arguments and reasoning to a range of audiences.

    Similarities:
  • Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) and South African (SA) qualifications require learners who have completed year 12, vocational education and training (VET) studies, and relevant work experience.
  • SUT and SA qualifications share similar qualification outcomes in which, after completion, the learner will be able to apply and integrate business-relevant knowledge, theories, concepts, technologies, practices and processes.
  • SUT and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Project Management Essentials and Law of Commerce.

    Difference:
  • Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) qualification is offered for three years full-time, while the South African SA qualification is offered for one year full-time. 
    		•

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

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

    Diagonal Articulation
  • Higher Occupational Certificate: Business Development Officer, Level 5
  • Occupational Certificate: Small Business Consultant, Level 5. 
    		•

    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. SACOB South African College of Business (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.