HEQF Review - Comments

Professional Bodies

12 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 – 1st 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