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: 

Advanced Certificate in Systems Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
85167  Advanced Certificate in Systems Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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
Advanced Certificate  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  Level 6  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The Advanced Certificate: Systems Engineering, NQF Level 6, provides a combination of computer and networking skills, equipping the learner with a wide scope of Information Technology-related competence and a sound functional introduction to the IT environment. On completion of the Advanced Certificate in System Engineering, the learner will be able to function competently as an IT maintenance planner.

The qualification will contribute towards the intended outcomes by enabling a qualifying learner to:
  • Build and upgrade computer systems.
  • Respond to incidents, organisational priorities and team building requirements.
  • Trace and correct technical problems.
  • Operate and maintain popular operating systems.
  • Manage operational networks.

    This qualification is primarily vocational and industry oriented. The qualification provides learners with basic knowledge and cognitive and conceptual tools for further higher education studies in the chosen field of System Engineering and IT.

    Students completing System Engineering qualification will be able to enter the field of Computer Engineering in the public or private sector as computer technicians, network administrators, data processors and PC support staff.

    Rationale:

    The Advanced Certificate: Systems Engineering, NQF Level 6 qualification reflects the workplace needs of the Information Technology Industry as expressed by its stakeholders for entry level IT engineers and administrators.

    The statistics of the National Scarce Skills list for South Africa published by the Department of Labour identifies the need for more people in the country with IT engineering skills. The qualification provides the learner with the flexibility to seek employment in the Telecommunications, Information Technology and Electronic Industries and other industries where IT is a key component, such as the Financial Services Industry. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners who register for this Certificate have knowledge of IT and the IT industry at NQF Level 5.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to:
  • Grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum criteria for admission.
  • Grant credits towards the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The Qualification is open to learners in possession of a cognate Higher Certificate in Information Technology that grants entry to this Advanced Certificate programme. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The following NQF Level 6 modules are compulsory:
  • Computer Architecture 10 Credits.
  • Digital Electronics 10 Credits.
  • Data Communication and Computer Networks 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Object Oriented Programming (Java) 15 Credits.
  • Software Engineering 10 Credits.
  • Network Security 10 Credits.
  • Advanced Server Technologies 15 Credits.
  • Internet Security 10 Credits.
  • IT Project Management 10 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning 15 Credits.

    Total; 120 credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of basic digital circuits.

    2. Demonstrate an understanding of Data Protocols principles and applications.

    3. Design and set up a computer/network architecture.

    4. Understand the fundamentals of security in Information Technology.

    5. Demonstrate the ability and skill to identify various factors impacting on the planning and design of a project plan for implementation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conversions between different number bases are carried out in order to design digital systems.
  • Multiplication and division of binary numbers is carried out in order to design digital systems.
  • Basic logic gates are represented symbolically and interpreted in terms of their equivalent circuits.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Synchronous and asynchronous data communication is described in terms of the characteristics of each form of data communication.
  • The description reflects the current types of networks completely and accurately as indicated by the industry.
  • Network connections are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Clear understanding and application of concepts in computer architecture and systems are demonstrated.
  • An existing system is evaluated and recommendations on improvements are made.
  • Different network media are used to connect systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Computer security is understood and explained in terms of risks and safe guards.
  • The way in which a system can be secured is demonstrated.
  • A computer system is analysed from a security point of view and recommendations made as to how the system's security can be improved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Project management principles are applied to produce a project plan and implementation schedule for project development.
  • Project management principles are applied to identify risks and constraints in the process of project implementation.
  • A project is closed out using project management principles and procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at this level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas and actions across modules to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. The learner will demonstrate the relevance of the various modules in achieving outcomes of the programme.

    Integrated Assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance, and also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision making that underpins the demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be more theoretical in nature.

    During Integrated Assessments the assessor will make use of formative and summative assessment methods and will assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Integrated Assessment typically utilises combinations of the following assessment methods:
  • Time-constrained written examinations.
  • Programme Evaluations.
  • Continuous Evaluation.
  • Practical Evaluation.

    Work Integrated Learning assessments and Work Readiness Programmes provide for Integrated Assessments of the various disciplines that make up the curriculum of this qualification. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and its learning outcomes have been evaluated against, and are comparable to, core knowledge and specialised knowledge found in the following international qualifications:

    India:
  • TATA: InfoTech Qualification for Software Developers.

    United Kingdom:
  • City and Guilds: Certificate and Diploma for Software Developers and IT Technicians.
  • NCC Education: International Certificate and Diploma in Computer Studies for IT Professionals.
  • Ravensbourne College: Diploma in Computer Studies.

    United States of America:
  • Microsoft: MCSD certification.

    This qualification is comparable with the qualifications listed above, because project management is included in the Advanced Certificate in Systems Engineering, Level 6, but not in the other qualifications. 

  • ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal as well as vertical articulation within the institution or to other institutions which may present similar qualifications, subject to the approval of those institutions.

    This qualification may articulate horizontally with any cognate qualification at NQF Level 6.

    This qualification may articulate vertically with any cognate Bachelor's degree at NQF Level 7. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Moderation will include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification.
  • Moderation of assessment can be institutional and work based.
  • External moderation will be undertaken as required. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    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. Richfield Graduate Institute Of Technology (Pty) Ltd. (previously known as PC Training And Business College (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.