University Qualifications Explained

All University qualifications fall into the NQF category Levels 5 to 10.

1 Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate Levels 5 and 6

The Higher Certificate Level 5 and Advanced Certificate Level 6 are both one-year qualifications. The Advanced Certificated is equivalent to a 2-Year Diploma at Level 6

Progression

2 Two Year Diploma Level 6

Many Universities of Technology, especially in Engineering, had opted to replace the previous 3-year Diploma with the new 2-year Diploma. Work Integrated Learning at the workplace is not a compulsory option in the new 2-year Diploma.

Engineering Council Technician Registration

Engineering students who graduate with the 2-year Diploma, are required to complete, on their own, one-year of mandatory Work Integrated Learning with an Employer in order to be eligible to register and practice as a Technician. The Work Integrated Learning must conform to the Standards set by the Engineering Council of South Africa.

In order for the 2-year Diploma graduates to further their studies towards the Advanced Diploma at Level 7, them must complete the mandatory one-year Work Integrated Learning training which must be assessed and quality assured.

Progression

3 Three Year Diploma Level 6

The new 3-year Diploma includes a compulsory component of Work Integrated Learning at a work place for a duration of 6 to 12 months.

The University is responsible for placing the student with an Employer and to quality assure the Work Integrated Learning Training

Graduates of the 3-year Diploma with the quality assured Work Integrated Learning component, are immediately eligible to register with the Engineering Council to practice as an Engineering Technician

The 3-year Degree at Level 7, include qualifications such as the BSc Degree, Bachelor of Technology Degree (BTech), BA Degree, etc

Engineering Council Technologist Registration

Universities of Technology offers the new 3 Year Bachelor of Engineering Degrees at NQF Level 7 whilst the Traditional Universities offer the Professional 4 Year Bachelor of Engineering Degrees at Level 8 c

Graduates who had complete the 3-year Bachelor of Technology Degree are eligible to register with the Engineering Council to practice as an Engineering Technologist

The Honours Degree and the 4-year Professional Degrees are both at Level 8. The Professional Degrees are generally offered at the traditional Universities. These qualifications include the BSc Engineering, BSc Surveying, BSc Pharmacy, BSc Medicine and Surgery, BSc Dentistry, BSc Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Town and Regional Planning, Bachelor of Business Science in Actuarial Science, etc

The most Professional Degrees require a period of on-the-job Internship be eligible for registration with the respective Professional Bodies, for example,

Engineering Council Engineer Registration

The BSc Engineering graduates are eligible for registration as Professional Engineers with the Engineering Council after the requisite training

Health Professions Council of South Africa

BSc Medicine and Surgery graduates are eligible for registration as Medical Practitioners after the completion of the Internship period