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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Higher Certificate in New Media Development

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
97802	Higher Certificate in New Media Development
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
Higher Certificate	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 05	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
This qualification will provide learners with the applied knowledge, skills and technical aptitude to develop database driven web applications that respond automatically to desktop, tablet and mobile devices. The qualification includes theoretical and practical components of new media development for various platforms, browsers and devices as well as developing in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the application of coding and scripting languages. This qualification is suitable for the learner who is self-motivated, logical thinking and has an enquiring mind. The knowledge and skills acquired during this qualification will equip learners to start their own small business developing new media applications. After the completion of this qualification, learners will be able to work as junior web developers both locally and internationally.

Upon completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:

Structure, style and lay out responsive web pages.

Add browser and user interactivity to web pages.

Understand graphical user interface design to improve user experience and accessibility.

Develop content management systems for web and mobile applications.

Design relational databases.

Rationale:
With rapid advancement of new media technology and e-commerce, a qualification in New Media Development is highly sought after throughout the world. This qualification responds to an increasing demand for web developers who can develop and maintain database integrated corporate and commercial websites and intranets.

Learners can enter the workplace as self-employed individuals or can enter existing organisations in a variety of positions related to web development. This qualification will assist learners to meet the demands of the growing need and speed of technological advancements in the Information Technology and Communication (ITC) industry. This qualification will address the scarce skills in Information Technology (IT) and prepare learners to enter the workplace as entry level employees or self employed Personal Home Page (PHP) developers, technicians, content managers, support specialist and application developers.

A qualification in New Media Development is highly sought after in the industry both locally and internationally. Learners are employed as junior PHP developers with good career prospects.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A learner who has completed a specific module/subject at City Varsity may apply for credit for the said subject/module:

A learner, who has completed the equivalent of a specific module/subject either at City Varsity or at another recognised higher education institution, may apply for exemption for the said/specific module/subject.

In the case of a practically orientated module/subject, a learner who is able to demonstrate appropriate competence may be granted exemption from that module/subject.

Entry Requirements:
Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:

National Senior Certificate (NSC) with endorsement to enter Higher Certificate Studies.
Or

Senior Certificate (SC).
Or

National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with endorsement to enter Higher Certificate Studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises 4 compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

NQF Level 5 modules, 120 Credits:

Page mark-up, layout and styling, 25 Credits.

Client Side Scripting, 30 Credits.

Graphical User Interface Design, 10 Credits.

Web Content Management System Development and Relational Database Design, 55 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Be able to structure, style and lay out responsive web pages.
2. Be able to add browser and user interactivity to web pages.
3. Understand and define graphical user interface design to improve user experience and accessibility.
4. Develop content management systems for web and mobile applications (WIL) - project based.
5. Design relational databases (WIL) - project based.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is understood for coding structural layout of web pages.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is understood for coding page layout and styling.

Web page structure is managed and coded using HTML.

Web page layout and styling is managed and coded using CSS.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

JavaScript is understood and used for the purpose of manipulating the HTML DOM.

JavaScript is understood and used for the purpose of scripting jQuery plugins.

User interaction is scripted using client-side JavaScript, the HTML DOM and jQuery.

Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Graphical User Interface design is understood for improved user experience.

Graphical User Interface design is understood for improved user accessibility.

Web page layout is created using PhotoShop.

Associated assessment criteria Exit Level Outcome 4:

Content management systems are managed and understood for web and mobile applications.

Content management systems are developed for web and mobile applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Structured Query Language is understood and used for designing relational databases.

Structured Query Language is managed and used to query data between a database and web and mobile applications.

Integrated Assessment:
Formative assessment:
These include tests, assignments, projects and case studies. The learner must achieve an aggregate of 40% formative assessments (tests, presentations and assignments) in order to qualify to write the final examination.

Summative assessment:
There will be a final examination with a weighting of 60% for the learners. Learners will also submit a portfolio of evidence for Work Integrated Learning.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Higher Certificate in New Media Development compares favourably with the qualification offered at Vision College, New Zealand entitled Diploma in Web Development and Design. This qualification combines a common core of specialist subjects, i.e. HTML and Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript, server-side processing (PHP) and building dynamic web applications with backend SQL databases. This course also aims to provide learners with the opportunity to develop web applications for real clients to be added to their portfolio of work completed during the course.

The Higher Certificate in New Media Development also compares favourably with the qualification offered by the Harvard Extension School entitled Web Technologies Certificate as it focuses on gaining understanding, knowledge and fluency in:

Fundamentals of website development, such as HTML5, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, multimedia, HTTP, and scripting languages.

Building dynamic, database-driven web applications, such as use of a LAMP framework (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) and JavaScript (+ Ajax) among others to develop robust online programs.

Core concepts of information management, such as data models, database management systems, unstructured and semi structured data management, or parallel and distributed databases.

The certificate in Web Development offered by the University of Wisconsin focuses on creating end-to-end solutions including database/data storage, server-side scripting, cross-browser and cross-device rendering and interactivity, which is comparable with what will be offered by the Higher Certificate in New Media Development.

The qualification offered by the University of California, Irvine Extension (Web Design and Development), delves into the core areas of web application development; scripting languages for the web; databases and web integration; and dynamic web site development. This qualification aligns well with industry related business and application development approaches.

Conclusion:
The Higher Certificate in New Media Development compares favourably with the cited international qualifications, in scope, focus, level of depth and complexity.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Higher Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects at NQF Level 5.

Higher Certificate in Game Graphics and Multimedia Entertainment at NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Advanced Certificate in Information Technology at NQF Level 6.

Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Multimedia Applications at NQF Level 6.

Advanced Diploma in Multimedia Design and Production at NQF Level 6.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

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.	City Varsity (Pty) Ltd