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: 

Diploma in Building 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96851  Diploma in Building 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Building Construction 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
After completing the course, students specialise in their construction management or quantity surveying. The course provides essential skills and knowledge needed in the construction of housing, schools, community facilities and other building projects. The Diploma will allow a candidate to register as a candidate Quantity Surveyor or Construction Manager.

The qualification is to build the knowledge, understanding and skills required for the learner's progression towards becoming competent registered practicing Quantity Surveyors/Construction Manager. This will empower the candidate to demonstrate his/her ability to apply his/her acquired knowledge, understanding, skills, attitude and values in the built environment industry in South Africa. The qualification is also structured to add value to the diplomat in terms of personal enrichment, as well as status and recognition. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning processes. Only formal learning is recognised. Credits achieved by RPL must not exceed 50% of the total Credits and will not include credits at exit level.

Entry Requirement:
  • Attend a Bridging Course and obtain a minimum of 40% for Mathematics, Physics and Communication.
    Or
  • The candidate must hold a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with level 4 ratings for Mathematics, Physics and English.
    Or
  • The candidate must hold a National Senior Certificate/Standard 10, Matric or equivalent with minimum E (HG) for Mathematics and Science and a minimum E (SG) for English.
    Or
  • Appropriate N3 with a minimum 50% for Mathematics plus E (SG) for English.

    NCV Requirements:
    National Certificate Vocational Level 4 minimum of 50% pass in the following:
    Subjects: 3 fundamentals:
  • English, Maths and Physical Science and a minimum of 60%.
    3 Compulsory:
  • Drawing, Setting out, Quantities and Costing.
  • Construction Management.
  • Civil and Construction Technology. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 4, 5, and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

    Modules at Level 4, 120 Credits:
  • Applied Building Science I, 20 Credits.
  • Communication Skills I, 10 Credits.
  • Computer Applications I, 10 Credits.
  • Construction Management I, 20 Credits.
  • Construction Technology I, 20 Credits.
  • Quantity Surveying I, 20 Credits.
  • Site Surveying, 20 Credits.

    Modules at Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Construction Management II, 20 Credits.
  • Construction Technology II, 20 Credits.
  • Quantity Surveying II, 20 Credits.
  • Building Practice, 60 Credits.

    Modules at Level 6, 120 Credits:
  • Construction Accounting III, 20 Credits.
  • Construction Management III, 20 Credits.
  • Construction Technology III, 20 Credits.
  • Price Analysis and Estimating III, 20 Credits.
  • Quantity Surveying III, 20 Credits.
  • Structures and Concrete III , 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome:
    1. Supervision of building projects.
    2. Procurement, administration and management of building projects.
    3. Preparation of contract documentation and administration of building contracts.

    Specific Outcome:
    1. Apply knowledge of construction technology
    1.1. Supervise site labour and subcontractors.
    2. On-site measurement of quantities.
    2.1. Administration and control of plant, material and labour.
    2.2 Assist with management and control of the building process.
    2.3. Assist with estimating and pricing and cost control of building work.
    3. Take off quantities of buildings.
    3.1. Assist with the preparation of bills of quantities.
    3.2. Assist with contract administration and preparation of final accounts.
    3.3. Assist with preparation of building estimates and cost reports.

    Critical Outcomes:
  • Problem solving on building sites and/or in professional offices.
  • Working effectively in a team on site and in the QS profession.
  • Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information for effective administration and management, for the preparation of contact documentation and for estimating and cost control.
  • Communicating effectively both orally, graphically and in writing. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
    1.1. Broad knowledge on construction technology has been demonstrated.
    1.1.1. Supervision of site labour and sub-contractors has been adequately demonstrated.
    2.1. Ability to interpret and measure in accordance with the standard guides has been demonstrated.
    2.1.1. Management principles regarding the control of resources have been applied.
    2.1.2. Methods and techniques of estimating and pricing have been demonstrated.
    2.2. Ability to interpret and measure in accordance with standard guides has been demonstrated.
    2.2.1. Appropriate methods of bill production have been demonstrated.
    2.2.2. Working knowledge of contract documentation has been demonstrated.
    2.2.3. Methods and techniques of estimating have been demonstrated.

    Intergrated Assessment:
    Pass Requirements:
    A candidate passes a subject if a final mark of at least 50% is obtained. The final mark consists of 40% of the year mark and 60% of the examination mark for examination subjects. A candidate must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the examination to pass a course. Where the examination in a course consists of two or more papers, a sub-minimum of 40% must be obtained in each paper.

    Practicals/Laboratory:
    Practical work is done in the following subject and forms part of the assessment:

    Site Surveying I:
    Details of the assessment of the practicals are given in the relevant Study Guide. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Affilliated to the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) which is the international accrediting body for the construction sector. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    National Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Post graduate Diploma and Masters. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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. Mangosuthu University of Technology 


    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.