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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86886  Higher Certificate in Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
The Independent Institute of 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
Higher Certificate  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  123  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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 purpose of this qualification is to qualify learners to enter a career in Journalism. This qualification provides a learner with the opportunity to examine the origins of journalism, conduct basic research, compile material, do creative writing and develop editing skills. This qualification is designed to develop practical journalistic skills and theoretical journalistic knowledge. The theoretical component comprises the fundamental knowledge required by someone working in the sector and the practical component consists of the modules such as Sub-editing, Introduction to Personal Computing, Journalism Practice and News Writing Fundamentals. Theoretical knowledge is developed through English Language Skills, Introduction to Journalism, South African Media Landscapes and Applied Communication Skills.

This qualification prepares the learner to take up a position at the level of Production Assistant, Junior Researcher, Copy tester, Sub-editor, Freelance Writer, Reporter, Scriptwriter, Junior Desktop Publisher and Editorial Assistant. It will also benefit those already in the field at a junior level to upgrade their theoretical and practical knowledge and skills.

Rationale:

Journalists, writers and editors are listed as scarce skills in the Department of Labour's Scarce Skills List. This qualification responds to the needs of the country. It is designed as an industry oriented entry-level qualification to higher education.

The Higher Certificate: Journalism will provide learners with introductory knowledge and practical techniques to follow a career in journalism and journalism-related fields. The qualification is also suitable for learners already in the industry but without a formal higher education qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that the learner registering for this qualification is:
  • Competent in the language of instruction.
  • Competent in English NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Learners can achieve this qualification in part or wholly through recognition of prior learning. The IIE Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and the IIE Academic Credit Policy guide this process:
  • Learners may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for subjects already passed in-house or from other recognised institutions.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning for informal and non-formal learning-Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the Recognition of Prior Learning process.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Admission requirements are one of the following:
  • Senior Certificate (SC) issued prior to 2008.
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), as certified by Umalusi.
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV).
  • Learners over the age of 23 at registration, with three years` work experience and proven ability in communicative skills. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All ten Modules at NQF Level 5, totalling 123 Credits, are compulsory:
  • English Language Skills, 10 Credits.
  • Introduction to Journalism, 10 Credits.
  • South African Media Landscapes, 10 Credits.
  • Sub-editing, 24 Credits.
  • Intro to Personal Computing, 5 Credits.
  • South African Media Law and Ethics, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills, 12 Credits.
  • Journalism Practice, 15 Credits.
  • Newswriting Fundamentals, 12 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate basic understanding and knowledge of the structures in and the bodies of the South African journalism industry.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evolution of the media industry in South Africa.
    3. Communicate effectively and professionally displaying the skills needed in the media industry.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics and legal framework within the journalism industry.
    5. Select and use technologies and other methods of presentation for communication in the journalism industry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Describe and apply basic knowledge of the structures in and the bodies of the South African journalism industry.
  • Describe the key players and stakeholders in the media industry in South Africa.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Interpret and discuss the history of South African media.
  • Discuss the current role played by the media in South Africa.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply key principles of inter-personal communication in the journalism industry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of presentation and the basics of business communications.
  • Write articles in different formats and for different mediums.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply fundamental journalistic ethics and principles to given case studies.
  • Write a range of articles in a variety of formats for various mediums.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal guidelines for the practicing journalist by using case law.
  • Create a portfolio of work that can be taken to prospective employers.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Use a personal computer and information technology in a modern business environment to accomplish business objectives.
  • Use modern communication technology for business purposes.
  • Use technology to perform basic research.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Formative Assessment:

    Formative Assessment is administered so that the learner's progress is monitored. The scheme of work includes assignments based on the learning material and learners are regularly given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:

    Summative Assessment assesses learning at each level of the qualification to ensure that the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification are achieved. Such assessments determine the learner's ability to incorporate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects or equivalent assessment such as a portfolio of evidence that represent a selection of the outcomes are also used. Summative assessment also tests the learner's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of the module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares well with qualifications from the following countries:
  • United Kingdom.
  • United States of America.
  • Australia.

    In the United Kingdom a comparable qualification is the following:
  • Glyndwr University in Wales - Certificate in Journalism (NCTJ accredited).

    It has great similarity to the IIE qualification. Focus is on a balance between theory and practice and is of one year duration. Both qualifications have identical content through modules such as:
  • Media law and ethics (equivalent would be South African Media Law and Ethics module).
  • Newswriting (Equivalent would be Newswriting Fundamentals module).
  • Print, broadcast and online media studies (in the IIE Higher Certificate Journalisms in the Journalism Practice module).

    In the United States of America the following qualification compares:

    The State University at Buffalo - Journalism Certificate.

    This Certificate provides the course content that is close to that of the IIE Higher Certificate: Journalism with the emphasis on a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical skills with hands on work experience. The content is paralleled between the two certificates through the following modules:
  • Ethics in Journalism (equivalent would be South African media Law and Ethics module).
  • Communication Ethics (equivalent would be South African media Law and Ethics module).
  • Principles of Communication (equivalent would be Applied Communication Skills module).
  • New Journalism (covered in Journalism Practice).
  • Writing Workshop (equivalent would be Newswriting Fundamentals).
  • Writing Internship (equivalent would be Newswriting Fundamentals).
  • English (Equivalent would be English Language Skills).

    In Australia a comparable qualification is the Open Universities Australia Certificate of Journalism (online course) hosted by Griffith University. Course duration is highly flexible as this is a distance learning qualification.

    The IIE HCJ has a related core of content with this certificate. The content includes:
  • News writing and ethics (equivalent would be South African Media Law and Ethics and Newswriting modules).
  • Media law (equivalent would be South African Media Law and Ethics module).
  • Styles and genres of journalism (covered in Journalism Practice and Newswriting modules).
  • New communication technologies (covered in Journalism Practice module).
  • Creative and professional writing (covered in Journalism Practice and Newswriting module). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    The qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate qualification at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:

    The Higher Certificate: Journalism articulates vertically with any Advanced Certificate or Diploma in Journalism at NQF Level 6. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The IIE ensures the quality of its qualifications through a stringent process of internal and external control as set out in the IIE Assessment Policy.
  • All exit level modules are externally moderated while all others are internally moderated.
  • The IIE which is a multi site provider has a sophisticated system of internal and external moderation to ensure quality. Feedback from moderators is used to improve the quality of assessment, material and learner support as well as to ensure fairness and validity in any particular examination cycle. External moderation is also used to ensure that the quality of the qualification content and its assessment is comparable to that offered by other providers.

    The moderator must have:
  • A relevant qualification one level higher than the qualification being moderated.
  • For practical subjects, relevant and extensive industry/educational experience in the specific field of study.
  • For theoretical subjects, relevant educational experience and a qualification higher than the qualification being moderated. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Assessors and moderators must hold a qualification at least one level higher than the qualification being assessed or moderated.
  • Moderators are also required to have more than two years' teaching experience.
  • Assessors with less than two years' experience have their assessment work moderated by a peer. 
    		•

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

    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. The Independent Institute of 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.