HEQF Review - Comments Private Providers 25 September 2012

HEQF Review Received public comments – SAQA – DHET Not sure when will be gazetted – implications

In general Extensive revision to the HEQF not indicated Biggest problem is articulation across the Frameworks and the confusion around how QCTO qualifications and HE qualifications relate to each other, also WIL. Three broad pathways in HEQF welcomed but also given rise to a concern that QCTO may appropriate the vocational and professional pathways in HE Concern about confusion at Level 5 with multiple qualifications there, but support for the Higher Certificate being in HEQF. How relate to Further Certificate of Umalusi?

HEQF-related issues Specific omissions: –240-credit Diploma at level 5 (from Health and Skincare, but some happy with 360-credit Diploma) –Nothing about BTech, but some worry about resource implications of extra year for Diploma students –Graduate Diploma at Level 9 –Joint degrees – affirm the right etc. –Higher Doctorate Ok, different qualification? –Professional body qualifications not included e.g. FASSET

Other issues Including the 240-credit diploma welcomed, but concerns from Adult Education about former articulation to a Level 7 qualification (AD) no longer possible, and concerns about the QA of the 120 credits of workplace-based learning to get to Advanced Diploma. Worry about the name. One or two institutions wanting some embedded qualifications but at different levels: certificate in diploma, and PG Dip in Masters. One or 2 worries about 50:50 rule. MBA – SABSA, and one or two institutions– want at level 9 with changed admission requirements, some implicitly saying that content wise not at level 9

Positives The articulation routes from Advanced Diploma to Honours welcomed The three broad progression routes welcomed 240-credit Diploma Professional Masters Change in types of degree Dropping of 60 credits at level 7 for Diplomas

Concerns The professional designation required for a 240-credit Diploma – what if professional body not recognised in that field? Role of professional bodies not recognised while they are in the Umalusi framework Broader definition of WIL welcomed, but concern about the quality assurance thereof and different definitions. Professional Masters – in relation to funding and parity of esteem, but not in relation to inclusion of such. Differing views on Professional Doctorate – most happy, some very strong concerns.

Recommendations Mandates of QCs clearly delineated, clear differences specified between higher education qualifications and occupational qualifications Retain Higher Certificate on HEQF for now Keep diploma name for 240-credit qualification at level 6, work out 120-credits in practice Not include a 240-credit diploma at level 5 Keep professional Masters and Doctorates but add further specification through standards process and allied documentation MBA at level 9 with amended admission requirements – 1 st professional Ms?

Recommendations 2 Retain 50:50 rule, foreground RPL Include paragraph on professional bodies Not include so-called professional body qualifications Clarify QA WIL – integrated in qualifications, therefore institutions and CHE, not QCTO