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 SHORT LEARNING PROGRAMME – this refers to learning that consists of a combination of courses of study that is aimed at meeting a prospective Learner’s immediate skills and training needs for direct use in the workplace or personal development and is non-credit bearing. In line with the principles of RPL, these credentials may allow for possible access to and/or advanced placement in a Boston Higher Education Programme.
BOSTON DIGITAL LEARNING BADGE – this refers to online learning that consists of either a succinct or comprehensive course of study that is aimed at meeting a prospective Learner’s immediate knowledge and competency needs for continuous professional or personal development and is non-credit bearing.
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.
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
QCTO: 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: Quality Partner of the QCTO
NLRD: National Learners’ Records Database
RPL: Recognition of Prior Learning
CAT: Credit Accumulation and Transfer