HEQF Review — Comments QA Forum 28 August

HEQF Review - Comments QA Forum 28 August 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