HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK

1. HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK Programme renewal & HEQF alignment workshops June-July 2009

2. PURPOSE OF THE HEQF • Proposed by Education White Paper 3 (1997) • Improving coherence of the higher education system • Facilitating articulation of qualifications • Establishing common parameters (standards) and criteria for qualification design • in order to facilitate comparability of qualifications across the system

3. A NESTED APPROACH TO QUALIFICATION SPECIFICATION LEVEL (level descriptor) e.g. NQF Level 9 QUALIFICATION TYPE e.g. Master’s degree DESIGNATED VARIANT (designator) e.g. Master of Science QUALIFICATION SPECIALISATION (qualifier) e.g. Master of Science in Engineering

4. LEVEL DESCRIPTORS • Final draft level descriptors proposed by SAUVCA (now HESA) (June 2004) • Available at www.sun.ac.za/inb click on “HEQF alignment”

5. Example of level descriptor

6. QUALIFICATION TYPES • Undergraduate (Levels 5-7) • Higher Certificate (120 credits, level 5) • Advanced Certificate (120 credits, level 6) • Diploma (360 credits, level 6)(min 60 credits at level 7) • Advanced Diploma (120 credits, level 7) • Bachelor’s Degree (min 360 credits, level 7 or 480 credits, level 8) • Postgraduate (Levels 8-10) • Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, level 8) • Bachelor Honours Degree (120 credits, level 8)(30 credits research) • Master’s Degree (180 credits, level 9) • Doctoral Degree (360 credits, level 10)

7. Characteristics of Bachelor degree • Exit level 7, min 360credits (3yr) or exit level 8, min 480credits (4/4+yr) • Primary purpose: providing a well-rounded, broad education that equips graduates with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of disciplines, & enables them to demonstrate initiative & responsibility in an academic or professional context. • Principles & theory emphasised for entry into labour market, professional training, postgrad studies, or professional practice in a wide range of careers. • 4/4yr+ Bachelor Degrees (level 8) • a higher volume of learning than those exiting at level 7 • greater cognitive demand than those exiting at level 7 • may require a practicum or work-based component. • demands high intellectual independence and development of research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline. • Generally leads to further professional development or study for a Master's. • Some recognised by professional body as a requirement to practice profession. • requires a thorough grounding in and the ability to apply the knowledge, theory, principles and skills of the profession concerned • Credit requirements: • Year 1 – max 96 credits @ level 5, min 24 credits @ level 6 • Year 4/4+ - min 96 credits @ level 8

8. Characteristics of Postgraduate Diploma • Generally multi- or interdisciplinary in nature but may serve to strengthen and deepen the student's knowledge in a particular discipline or profession. • Primary purpose : to enable working professionals to undertake advanced reflection & development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in an area of specialisation. • Demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. • Research project not required but the qualification may include conducting and reporting research under supervision • Admission requirement: Bachelor’s degree • Progression: a cognate Master's Degree, usually in the area of specialisation of the Postgraduate Diploma. • 1 year, Level 8, 120 credits

9. Characteristics of Bachelor Honours degree • A postgraduate specialisation qualification, preparing students for research based postgraduate study. • Follows a Bachelor's Degree, and serves to consolidate and deepen the student's expertise in a particular discipline, • and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline. • demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. • Sometimes carries recognition by an appropriate professional or statutory body. • Bachelor Honours Degree programmes must include conducting and reporting research under supervision, worth at least 30 credits, in a manner that is appropriate to the discipline or field of study. • 1 year, level 8, 120 credits

10. Characteristics of a Master’s degree • Primary purposes : • to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, • or prepare graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment. • Significant research component which may be earned either by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation, or by successfully completing a course work programme requiring a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence and a research project, culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation. In the latter case, a minimum of 60 credits at level 9 must be devoted to conducting and reporting research.

11. Characteristics of a Master’s degree (Cont.) • Graduates must be able to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, make sound judgements using data/information at their disposal, communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills. • Min admission requirements: 4/4+yr Bachelor, Hons, or PG Dip • Progression: Doctorate • 1 year, level 9, min 180 credits, min 60 credits research

12. Summary of credits and level per qualification type

13. DESIGNATORS AND QUALIFIERS • Designators (Bachelorof Engineering) • Applies only to degrees • Describes a generic field of study • Qualifiers (BEngin Civil Engineering) • Refers to qualification’s field of specialisation • In order to use a qualifier, at least 50% of the minimum total credits, as well as at least 50% of the minimum credits at exit level must be in the field of specialisation denoted by the qualifier • A 2nd qualifier can also be used for Bachelor’s degrees. 50% rule also applies to 2nd qualifiers (BEng in Civil Engineering in Hydraulics??)

14. Guidelines for HEQF implementation • Accordig to HEQF, CHE to determine and publish criteria for designators and qualifiers • However, CHE have not had sufficient time to develop comprehensive criteria. • Therefore, DoHE proposed set of interim guidelines for HEQF alignment, i.e:

15. Proposed DoHE guidelines: • Qualification types • Name of any new programme must start with one of the stipulated qualification types. No exceptions • Designators • General first Bachelors degrees – either Arts, Commerce, Science or Social Science • “Professional” first bachelors degree – 1st or 2nd order CESM category (2008 manual). 2nd order CESM can only be used if it is a generic field of study. • New Hons and Masters degrees – Designator should be those used for bachelor degrees (MPhil?) • Doctoral degrees – either Philosophy, or designator appropriate for Masters degree

16. Proposed DoE quidelines (cont.) • CHE will consider exceptions to guidelines if it can be shown that a specific generic field of study is not captured in the 1st or 2nd order CESM categories of the 2008 manual • Qualifiers • 1st, 2nd or 3rd CESM categories • CHE will consider exceptions if it can be shown that a specific field of specialisation is not captured in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd order CESM categories in the 2008 manual • 50% rule for qualifiers - HEMIS credit values

17. Proposed DoE quidelines (cont.) • Application process: • New qualifications and name changes submitted to DoE • Result of DoE assessment sent to CHE • If Department does not support institution’s proposed name, can appeal to CHE • CHE have right to reject name DoE supports • If name change – re-accreditation process (modified?)

18. Discussion on policy clarification