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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Business Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94578  Advanced Diploma in Business Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 Diploma  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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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 provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop software solutions to solve business problems effectively using the latest technologies. The Advanced Diploma in Information Technology (IT) is designed to produce a diplomat with the theoretical and practical skill set to apply the latest technologies and tools when developing an optimal software solution for business. This programme will strengthen and deepen the student's knowledge and develop the student's applied competence in analysing, interpreting and understanding information systems development processes, principles and methods. It further develops the intellectual independence, research and professional skills of the student. The qualification prepares students to meaningfully contribute to organisations' information systems development, acquisition, utilisation and quality thereof.

Rationale:
The rationale for the development of this programme is to replace the current Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology. This qualification will enable students doing the current Diploma in Business Information Technology to further their studies as they cannot advance to the Bachelor Technology in Information Technology.

There is a need in the market for well-trained developers. This is confirmed by the scarce skills list of the Department of Labour as well as the Industry Advisory Board. The need is for developers that can analyse a problem and suggest and develop a software solution. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be done according to National and University of Johannesburg policies.

The University of Johannesburg accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of the academic programme and as an initiative to support transformation of the education and training system in South Africa. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and University accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned to University programmes to promote lifelong learning. This is reflected in the vision and mission of the University.

Entry Requirements:
Any appropriate Bachelor's Degree or 3 year Diploma in Information Technology. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification consists of 7 compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules:
  • Advanced Programming, 15 Credits.
  • Software requirements, 15 Credits.
  • Human Computer Interface, 15 Credits.
  • Software Testing, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Database, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Business Analysis, 15 Credits.
  • Software Project, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Design and construct efficient software solutions for complex business problems.
    2. Apply user interface design concepts to design effective and efficient user interfaces for various platforms.
    3. Test the behaviour of applications and systems on a finite set of test cases, suitably selected from the usually infinite executions domain, against the expected behaviour.
    4. Design and implement modern database and data management systems, efficient query processing and indexing techniques for spatial, temporal and multimedia databases.
    5. Apply the software requirement process to advanced business problems ensuring efficient solutions.
    6. Elicit requirements effectively for complex business problems to bridge the gap between IT and business enabling business to gain competitive advantage with the solution.
    7. Identify, design, develop and implement a software solution for a complex business problem applying new technologies, software paradigms and platforms. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • An effective, efficient and relevant software solution for a business problem using good programming and construction principles is designed.
  • Effective software architecture for a specific business problem or scenario is produced.
  • Software maintenance plan is designed and recommended.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Scenarios to select an appropriate user interface are analysed.
  • Appropriate user interfaces are designed and developed.
  • Usability engineering lifecycle module is applied.
  • User interfaces are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Software fundamentals to be tested are identified.
  • Test level are applied and developed.
  • Related test measures are developed.
  • Software quality principles in the software testing process are included.
  • An application is tested to determine if it meets the expected behaviour.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A working definition for business intelligence in general and various classifications of business intelligence are provided.
  • Proficiency with the ETL process, using it to extract operational data, transform and cleanse this data, and load it into a data warehouse or data mart is demonstrated.
  • A working knowledge of the difference in structure between relational databases and multidimensional warehouse architectures show an understanding of the relationship between facts tables and dimension tables, as well as an understanding of basic star and snowflake schemas is demonstrated.
  • Online analytical processing (OLAP) models are designed.
  • Multidimensional cubes that are capable of providing summary information as well as drilling down for detailed data are built.
  • An understanding of variety of data mining models and structures: Inductive Decision Trees, nave Bayes algorithm, clustering algorithms, neutral networks, and time sequences is demonstrated.
  • The appropriate types of models for various categories of business-related problems are identified.
  • An understanding of how BI practices and tools support and impact decision making, planning, and business processes within an organisation is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • A SR model to implement or change a solution is proposed.
  • SR tools and models when developing a solution for a scenario are applied.
  • A relevant assessment model and associated methods when designing a solution are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Different requirements for a specific scenario are identified.
  • Different elicitation techniques to elicit requirements are applied.
  • Requirements to ensure the completeness and correctness of the requirement set are analysed.
  • The elicited requirements are validated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Software configuration management principles to solution are applied.
  • Project management principles to manage the development process are applied.
  • Skills acquired by developing an integrated solution for a complex business problem are integrated and applied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and summative assessments are done on a regular basis. Guidelines in learning guides are clear and unambiguous. Learning guides are available via uLink and as a hard copy if requested. Feedback is given regularly and timeously. Moderators give valuable inputs and feedback is received from several organisations. Subject Heads give guidance in terms of course content and mentor junior staff.

    At least one teaching evaluation, according to University of Johannesburg policy, is conducted by the Centre for Professional Academic Staff Development. The results of the teaching evaluation are used to determine professional development needs.
    An outcomes-based education (OBE) approach is used. Research being conducted in the department is worked into the modules to ensure that content stays relevant and current. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was developed cognisant of the fact that it must be qualitatively sound and internationally comparable. Bachelor of Science Honours and Business Information Technology offered at Birmingham City University in the UK is a close comparable qualification. Though a four year undergraduate degree programme, its fourth year modules do to some extent mirror the contents of the modules of the Advanced Diploma in Business Information Technology.

    Conclusion:
    The Advanced Diploma in Business Information Technology is designed curriculum-wise to meet advanced IT needs locally. There was also a strong academic drive to ensure its recognition internationally by conducting comparability studies with international qualifications of similar content and focus. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical articulation continues as the student pursues further studies at NQF Level 8 in the IT field. Honours Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas in IT will be inclined to accept holders of this qualification subject to meeting some faculty-set admission requirements and this qualification horizontally, articulates with NQF Level 7 qualifications majoring in IT studies. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.