Programme Categories

BOSTON HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME -  this refers to a Boston qualification, accredited by the HEQC of the CHE and registered by SAQA on the NQF (HEQSF), which is a higher certificate (minimum 120 credits) or diploma (minimum 360 credits) or first degree (minimum 360 credits) programme, with a minimum duration of one to three years depending on the particulars of the qualification. Learner credits are uploaded onto the NLRD.

BOSTON HIGHER EDUCATION GATEWAY SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME – this refers to a programme which consists of preparatory learning and which awards Learners higher education credits. This programme allows for possible access to a Boston Higher Education Programme (Higher Certificate or Diploma only) as well as granting of exemption from the relevant higher education module/s for which credits have been awarded.

BOSTON SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME –this refers to a programme that isaimed at meeting a prospective Learner’s immediate skills and training needs, and as such is aimed for direct use in the workplace, or is undertaken by the Learner for personal development. This may consist of credit-bearing and/or non-credit-bearing learning of less than 120 credits.  In line with the principle of RPL, these programmes allow for possible access to a Boston Higher Education Programme as well as granting of exemption from the relevant higher education module/s for which credits have been awarded.

INSTITUTE LEARNING PROGRAMME – this refers to an external body’s programme. These may be credit bearing learning programmes or non-credit bearing learning programmes. If credit bearing the exact information will be shown on the relevant page inside this prospectus under the header “On successful completion the Learner will be issued …”.

OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION – this refers to a programme (minimum 120 credits) associated with a trade, occupation or profession resulting from work-based learning and consisting of knowledge, practical and work-experience unit standards. It is accredited and certificated by the QCTO or a delegated body i.e. SETA (DQP) / LQA, and is registered by SAQA on the NQF (OQSF). Learner credits are uploaded onto the NLRD.

OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS PROGRAMME – this refers to a short learning programme (less than 120 credits) which consists of units or a single unit standard of an occupational qualification. It is accredited and certificated by the QCTO or a delegated body i.e. SETA (DQP) / LQA, and is registered by SAQA on the NQF. Learner credits are uploaded onto the NLRD.

RPL - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), refers to the acknowledgement of previous learning and experience (formally and informally) of a Learner against the learning outcomes required for a specified qualification, and its acceptance for purpose of entry and/or advanced placement (credit) in the specified qualification.  Applicants interested in applying for RPL will be considered individually by the Academic Committee based at the Head Office in Orange Grove.

CAT - Credit Accumulation & Transfer (CAT), refers to ‘the process whereby a student’s achievements are recognised and contribute to further learning even if the student has not achieved a qualification. In terms of the CAT scheme, any and all credits for an incomplete qualification may be recognised by the same or different institution as meeting part of the requirements for a different qualification, or may be recognised by a different institution as meeting part of the requirements for the same qualification. Individual mobility between programmes and institutions is thus determined by curriculum requirements and is flexible’ (The Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, 2013, Council on Higher Education).   

 

HEQC:  Higher Education Quality Committee        

CHE:    Council on Higher Education

SAQA:   South African Qualifications Authority

NQF:    National Qualifications Framework

HEQSF: Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework

OQSF:  Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework

QC:      Quality Council

QCTQ:  Quality Council for Trades and Occupations

SETA:   Sector Education and Training Authority

DQP:    Designated Quality Partner of the QCTO

LQA:     Learning and Quality Assurance body of the QCTO

AQP:     Assessment Quality Partner of the QCTO

NLRP:   National Learners’ Records Database

RPL:     Recognition of Prior Learning