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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Office Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88901  Higher Certificate in Office Administration 
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
Higher Certificate  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Office Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  130  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 the Higher Certificate: Office Administration is to prepare learners for a career in business or to access higher levels of business management study. This qualification primarily prepares the learner with basic business and office administration skills at the operational level and with the basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual tools for further higher education studies in the chosen field of study.

This qualification signifies that the learner is capable of applying operational knowledge and competence in the role of an entry level junior business administrator. This Higher Certificate qualification reinforces the learner's technical knowledge and competence with the inclusion of work integrated learning.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended to provide learners with access to the labour market. It will provide learners with the necessary skills to enter the job market and generate economic growth in their personal lives and their households. Hence, the qualification will have relevance for all learners.

The providing institution is compatible with current priorities of government to increase post school learner access and success in higher education. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that the learner is competent in the language of instruction (English) at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to grant learners:
  • Credits towards the qualification.
  • Who do not met the minimum entry requirements access to the qualification.

    Any learner wishing to be assessed for RPL may arrange to do so.
    For Recognition of Prior Learning the learner will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence of relevant experience, in a prescribed format, to be assessed for formal recognition.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Any learner will be allowed into the programme if he/she has a:
  • National Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4.
  • Further Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All 13 modules have 10 Credits each and are compulsory:
  • Office Administration 101.
  • Office Communication 101.
  • Accounting 101.
  • Business Law.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Business Computing.
  • Office Administration 102.
  • Office Communication 102.
  • Accounting 102.
  • Public Relations.
  • Administrative Practice.
  • Human Relations.
  • Work Integrated Learning. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of general office administrative practices and principles.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal environment for sound business practices.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant business related laws and policies.
    4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts related to communications in the office environment.
    5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of accounting policies and practices and the importance of accounting in the office environment.
    6. Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of marketing management and its importance to business development.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of concepts related to business computing practices.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of an administration employee in an organisation.
  • Apply knowledge of goal setting to manage administrative functions.
  • Explain the role of information systems in the office.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how the mailing system operates in an organisation.
  • Demonstrate competence as a receptionist as an integral part of office administration.
  • Demonstrate a broad understanding of the organisation's filing systems, policies and procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Relate the purpose and the functions of the relevant law.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of the relevant legal principles for the business.
  • Explain how and when a contract is created and the rules that apply to all contracts.
  • Demonstrate the difference between void and voidable contracts.
  • Describe contracts in restraint of trade.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the nature, sources and classification of the law.
  • Describe the law of purchase and sale.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the law governing credit agreements.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of the law of employment.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law of partnership.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the law governing securities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate understanding of the nature and the role of oral, graphic, written and visual communication in the work environment.
  • Produce examples of good written communication in the workplace.
  • Write notices, agendas, minutes and business reports.
  • Respond to written communication in the workplace.
  • Describe the communication barriers in the cultural context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Define accounting and explain the need for accounting.
  • Define and apply the principles of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
  • Draw up a trial balance and explain the function of the trial balance.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Distinguish between a specific marketing orientation and other management orientations.
  • Identify the elements of the marketing environment and illustrate its dynamics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of marketing communication.
  • Differentiate between market segments and apply a segmentation process.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of consumer behaviour.
  • Demonstrate the ability to relate pricing issues to marketing decisions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of marketing communication.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Differentiate between various Business Information Systems.
  • Use computer systems terminology fluently, including its application in describing and analysing business situations.
  • Identify and briefly describe the functions of the two basic kinds of software.
  • Define general data management concepts and terms, highlighting the advantages of the database approach to data management.
  • Briefly describe how the Internet works, including alternatives for connecting to it and the role of Internet service providers.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment at this level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across modules to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification.

    During integrated assessments the assessor will make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Input to completing the Integrated Assessment typically makes use of combinations of the following assessment methods:
  • Time-constrained written examinations.
  • Coursework Evaluations.
  • Continuous Evaluation.
  • Practical Evaluation.

    Work Integrated Learning assessments also provide for integrated assessments of the various disciplines that comprise the curriculum of this qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to the ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) international qualification offered in the following countries: United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malawi, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, Swaziland, India and Ghana.

    The Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria of this qualification match those of the qualifications offered in each of the above-mentioned countries. The degree of difficulty and notional learning time are also comparable to the offerings in those countries.

    The Higher Certificate in Office Administration, Level 5 can be said to be internationally comparable in terms of broad content. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with the Diploma: Office Administration, NQF Level 6 offered at PC Training and elsewhere. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Moderation of learners' achievements and overall award of the qualification at the exit level will be based on the well established procedures of using external examiners (external to the provider) from accredited Institutions.
  • 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, to ensure that the quality of NQF standards is maintained nationally. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors must be in possession of a cognate qualification at least one NQF Level higher than the level of this qualification. 

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