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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Advanced Certificate in Journalism in Print and Digital Media 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96730  Advanced Certificate in Journalism in Print and Digital Media 
ORIGINATOR
City Varsity (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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
57224  Certificate: Journalism for Print and Digital Media  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Provides learner with necessary skills to enter journalism profession and/or to use freelance opportunities.

Rationale for the qualification:
To teach a new generation of South African journalists. There is an emphasis on sound ethical standards and technical skills. The course therefore strives to foster technically skilled ethical journalists who will act as watch dogs for the South African society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The competency criteria are the following: sound knowledge of English (medium of instruction), basic understanding of and interest in the media industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
If the student does not have a Matric and is over the age of 25 with some work experience - preferably in the media industry - such a student may be accepted upon evaluation of an appropriate level of English (language medium of instruction). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Fundamental:

Component 1: Competences relating to general communication and media theory.

The focus of this component is to prepare the individual learner for a broad understanding of the industry, including; an understanding of: Communication Theory, Media Law, Creative Writing, Media Ethics, Public Relations (corporate communication) and an acceptable level of media related general knowledge.

1.1 Demonstrate competence in basic theory of communication and mass communication theory.
Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of communication theory.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of mass communication theory.

    1.2 Demonstrate competence in basic general knowledge.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate an adequate knowledge of news events.

    1.3 Demonstrate competence in basic media research.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Perform a basic research task related to the media.
  • Demonstrate appreciation and understanding of the value of media research for the industry.

    1.4 Demonstrate competence in basic law, legal systems and the constitution and laws affecting the media.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the media laws that affect journalists in their duties.

    1.5 Demonstrate competence in ethics, including ethical reporting and code of ethics.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the code of conduct for journalists (SA and international).
  • Constitute sound ethical decisions.
  • Be knowledgeable of the need for ethical considerations in the journalism industry.

    1.6 Demonstrate competence in corporate communication and public relations.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of public relations.
  • Demonstrate an ability to write press releases.
  • Demonstrate an ability to create a press kit.

    1.7 Demonstrate competence in Creative writing: novels and short stories, writing and analysis.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate short story writing using characterisation, plot development, dialogue and writing tools such as metaphors.

    Component 2: Competences relating to general Desk Top Publishing skills.

    The focus of this component is to prepare the individual learner for a broad understanding of the practical and theoretical components of desk top publishing, including the practical application of software (QuarkXpress, PhotoShop and Freehand).

    2.1 Demonstrate competence in layout and design.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the basic principle of layout and design for the print media.

    2.2 Demonstrate competence in basic desk top publishing software packages (incl. Basic Freehand 9, QuarkXPress 6, Photoshop 6.6).
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate ability to lay out a basic magazine or newspaper in QuarkXPress.
  • Demonstrate ability to scan in photos, adapt them (resize re-colour and import) in PhotoShop.
  • Demonstrate ability to create basic illustrations, banners etc., in Freehand.

    Core:

    Component 3: Competences relating to the general praxis and applied theory elements of the journalism industry (for print~, radio~, television~ and new media journalism).

    The focus of this component is to prepare the individual learner for a focussed understanding of the field of journalism through various specializations within the industry.

    3.1 Demonstrate competence in print journalism, incl. news writing for print media (different styles and topics), sub-editing and history and function of journalism.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of print media history.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that affect print journalism.
  • Demonstrate writing skills for various print genres.
  • Demonstrate sub-editing and headline writing skills.
  • Demonstrate ability to research and write a variety of print journalism articles, for newspapers and for magazines.

    3.2 Demonstrate competence in radio journalism, incl. writing style and presentation of programme material, production of radio news and features, basic digital sound editing, radio presentation and pronunciation and history and function of radio news
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate ability to write voicers and radio scripts.
  • Demonstrate ability to research, compile and produce radio news stories and features.
  • Demonstrate ability to tape sound and performing interviews.
  • Demonstrate ability to create mini radio features.
  • Demonstrate ability to create one major radio feature.
  • Demonstrate ability to perform basic digital sound editing.
  • Demonstrate ability to present effectively.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the factors that affect radio journalism (ownership, broadcasting regulations, benefits of the radio medium).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history of radio journalism.

    3.3 Demonstrate competence in television journalism, incl. news writing for television, television presentation and interviewing, history and function of television journalism, bulletin compiling, broadcast restrictions and regulations, news documentaries and digital editing (Adobe Premiere).
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate an ability to interview on camera.
  • Demonstrate an ability to present scripts on camera.
  • Demonstrate an ability to structure and write a news bulletin script.
  • Demonstrate an ability to produce a short TV documentary.
  • Demonstrate an ability to research for a short TV documentary.
  • Demonstrate an ability to interview for a short TV documentary.
  • Demonstrate organizational skills to produce a short TV documentary.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of news values and basic camera techniques involved.
  • Demonstrate an ability to perform basic digital video editing. demonstrate ability to compile video footage.
  • Exhibit an understanding of the theoretical components of television journalism (History and Function of television journalism).

    3.4 Demonstrate competence in new media journalism, incl. writing for the web, search engines and basic HTML and web page creation.
    Competence is evident when candidates are able to:
  • Demonstrate an ability to build and maintain a website (HTML).
  • Create material for the website.
  • Update the website regularly.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history and future of the internet as a news medium (including technicalities and legalities).

    Types of tests, practicals and assignments:

    Tests - evaluate knowledge of theoretical components, evaluate practical components in an examination condition (certify the student understand the practical applications of the course units).

    Practicals - students work on projects that simulate the work of industry professionals. For example for Print Journalism: feature article projects: the students are required to conduct real interviews, create a publishable article and submit it to a publication.

    Assignments: regular assignments are used to establish learning opportunities for both theoretical and practical components; for example essay questions on ownership of the media in South Africa or sub-editing sessions. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment:
    Integrated assessment provides learners with an opportunity to display an ability to integrate practical performance, concepts and theory across unit standards to achieve competence in relation to this qualification. For example: Students will need to use Learning Components that have taken place in the first semester of Print Journalism for the Web Journalism Unit in the second semester. With respect to: Writing skills, headlines, captions etc. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Middlesex University (UK), Rhodes University (SA), Macleay College (AUS), The Journalism School (UK on-line) and Nevada University (USA).

    The course compares favourably with the other available courses with respect to content and structure. Some of the courses (degrees) are run over three years, yet many of the elements are covered in the City Varsity 1 year certificate programme. For example; Media Law which is only in the third year of the Rhodes University programme. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    No internal or external articulation possibilities exist. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    External moderation is conducted at the end of the year by industry professionals. They assess the major practical projects and the end of year exams.

    External moderators and assessors must be in possession of:
  • An applicable qualification, at least one level higher than the level within which the assessment is taking place, and must have the necessary minimum industry experience as determined by the Head of department in consultation with the Governing Body. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification replaces 48454: Certificate: Journalism for Print and Digital Media, NQF Level 4, 120 credits. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. City Varsity (Pty) Ltd 
    2. City Varsity - Cape Town 


    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.