DHET Regulation 24(m)

Programme rules of progression and certification differ from programme to programme as per requirements of the relevant Quality Council. The overall mark/grade required to pass a module differs from module to module and programme to programme, refer to each Programme’s Fact Sheet and the Student Rulebook.

DHET Regulation 24(q)

The Code of Conduct, as outlined in the Student Rulebook, and general rules of the Institution are aligned to the requirements for public information as per the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2016 and the Institution’s quality management system.

DHET Regulations 24(t) & 26A

Student official complaints and grievances must be lodged, and will be processed according to the procedures of the Institution.

If you submit an academic appeal or you are found guilty of a disciplinary offence you should follow the internal procedures for these matters prior to drafting and submitting an official complaint or grievance.

All matters including academic appeals, disciplinary procedures and requests/ suggestions can immediately be processed as per the normal procedures for contacting the Institution as set out in the Prospectus, Fact Sheets, Student Rulebook and displayed in the online Learning Management Systems (LMS’s).

Once you feel that you have exhausted the normal procedures, all official complaints and grievances must be lodged with the Registrar or the Academic Head (as representatives of the management of the Institution) using the email address official@boston.co.za.

You must, in the first instance, categorise your complaint in relation to the following institutional categories:

1. Quality of teaching and learning
2. Quality of facilities
3. Quality of general service delivery
4. Assessment judgments/outcomes (Only after the internal adjudication of an academic appeal for a review of a mark)
5. Disciplinary sanctions (Only after the internal procedures for minor or major disciplinary offences have been completed)
6. Refusal to write examinations
7. Certification
8. Refunds
9. Fees
10. Closure of the Institution without informing Learners
11. Unfair business practices
12. Infringement of the Bill of Rights
13. Other

Set out your official complaint or grievance in a straightforward written narrative supported by any evidence that has a direct bearing on the official complaint or grievance. After an investigation of the official complaint or grievance, the Institution will respond in writing, addressing the specifics of your official complaint or grievance and any evidence that has a direct bearing on the official complaint or grievance.

In the event that the Student (the complainant) and the management of the Institution are unable to reach a mutually acceptable resolution, then the Institution will submit to the Registrar of Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEI’s) of the DHET:

1. A copy of the original letter of official complaint or grievance
2. A copy of the Institution’s written response to the official complaint or grievance
3. A report citing the reasons for the non-resolution of official complaint or grievance and details of further action(s), if any, contemplated or undertaken by the Student or the Institution.

Registrar of PHEI’s of the DHET may, at her/his discretion and depending on the circumstances of the official complaint or grievance, refer the Institution to the Consumer Protector or to any other organisation or agency for further advice and investigation.

DHET Regulation 24(m)

Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) refers to the arrangement whereby the diverse features of both credit accumulations and credit transfer are combined to facilitate lifelong learning and access to the workplace.

The recognition of credits for the purposes of transfer from one qualification to another is determined by the nature of the qualifications, the relationship between them, the nature, complexity, and extent of the curricula associated with the specific subjects to be recognised for exemption and/or inclusion, and the nature of the assessment used. Any and all credits for an incomplete qualification may be recognised by the same or a 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.

A maximum of 50% of the credits of a completed qualification may be transferred to another qualification. Credits obtained from studies that do not lead to a full qualification (for example, non-degree studies) could count for credit accumulation.*

Boston allows students with completed credits from recognised education institutions in cognate (or similar) modules to apply for in-bound credit transfers. Credit transfers will only be considered if accompanied by full academic records with a statement of satisfactory or good conduct from the previous institution. Students interested in applying will be considered individually by the Academic Committee based at the joint Head Office in Stellenbosch – see relevant section in the ‘Application for Admission Form’ online.

*CHE. 2016. Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment

The Boston City Campus Head Office in Orange Grove, Johannesburg and regional branches, which serve as Support Centres for all programmes, offer student information, e-library access, computer laboratories, and related ICT networks/systems in addition to venues for invigilated assessments. The Joint Head Office in Stellenbosch serves an administrative and academic support function only.

Hours of operation, facilities and courses available may vary between Support Centre.

DHET Regulation 24(n)

Boston City Campus does not charge application fees. Rules and procedures and fees or charges pertaining to registration, tuition, textbooks and additional academic fees or charges (e.g. supplementary assessment fees, external examination fees, CAT application fees, RPL application fees, etc.) as well as rules and procedures, and fees or charges associated with deferral, cancellation, or withdrawal are set out in the Student Rulebook and/or Registration Contract or Programme Fact Sheets. In addition, the Office of the Registrar and Branch Managers are available for guidance and assistance.

DHET Regulation 24(o)

While a limited number of external and internal bursaries are awarded to exceptional candidates, there is no financial aid available to Students through the Institution other than extended payment terms. The Office of the Registrar and Support Centre Managers are available for guidance and assistance.

The Institution will assist students with supporting information (e.g. in relation to the qualification and accreditation) in the event that a Student wishes to apply to a financial institution for financial assistance in paying their tuition fees.

Irrespective of meeting the Minimum Entry Requirements for International Applicants, international students who do not hold a South African school leaving certificate must present a Grade 12 equivalence verification with endorsement for admission to Bachelor’s degree or Diploma or Higher Certificate study from the South African Matriculation Board. The Board can be contacted on
27 (0)10 591 4401/2 or applications@usaf.ac.za or visit he-enrol.ac.za

Students who have qualifications from international higher education institutions must present an equivalence certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) who can be contacted on +27 (0)12 431 5070 or customercare@saqa.org.za or visit www.saqa.org.za

International applicants may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL score of 550, or IELTS overall band score of 6.0.) prior to admission to the qualification.

DHET Regulation 24(i)

English is the language of communication, instruction and assessment at Boston City Campus. Notwithstanding the Institution’s appreciation of the rich value of multiculturalism in South Africa and its impact on educational language policy, the Institution has selected a single language in terms of its language policy since it would be impracticable to select more than one language, given the small size of the Institution.

DHET Regulation 24(d)

Boston’s Mission is:

• To provide quality and relevant education and training to all learners

Boston’s Pay-Off Line is:

• Education. For life.

Boston’s objectives are to:

• Assist Learners in shaping their futures through guiding them in terms of the selection of learning programmes
• Align all learning programmes to the National Qualifications Framework (sub frameworks, standards and qualifications)
• Deliver quality tuition and assessment
• Improve staff development, loyalty and morale
• Work in national, sectoral and local contexts
• Reach company objectives
• Be responsive to changing environments
• Take accountability for our actions

DHET Regulation 24(j)

The Institution’s Higher Education Programmes are delivered in the distance mode. Students are encouraged to attend any of our regional branches, which serve both as Support Centres for these programmes and as venues for invigilated assessments.

Distance learning describes teaching and learning reliant on (asynchronous) learning materials delivered through texts and filmgraphics via learning management systems that can be accessed at a Boston Support Centre or off-site as long as the student has internet connectivity. Additionally, venues are provided for invigilated assessments.

The Institution’s Short Learning Programmes are mostly delivered in the blended mode at any of the regional branches, which serve as Tuition Centres for these programmes.

Blended learning is technology-based training supplemented with texts and face-to-face training assistance and requiring the student’s attendance at a Boston Tuition Centre (at any of our regional branches). Additionally, venues are provided for invigilated assessments.

The Institution’s Digital Learning Badges are delivered in the online distance mode. Students are encouraged to attend any of our regional branches, which serve as Support Centres for these programmes.

Digital learning is exclusively facilitated by technology that provides students with some element of control over time, place, path and pace and is entirely delivered via learning management systems that can be accessed at a Boston Support Centre or off-site, as long as the student has internet connectivity.

DHET Regulation 24(v)

Boston is committed to the principles of access, redress, transformation and equal opportunity. Individual student requirements based on the disclosure of a disability is evaluated in confidence on a case-by-case basis to determine suitable provisioning of needs, as comprehensively as possible. The Institution reserves the right in the interest of the individual to provide relevant guidance and where so required referral or alternative placement. The Office of the Registrar is available to assist Students with further enquiries, also see relevant section in the ‘Application for Admission Form’ online.

DHET Regulations 24(n) & (s)

When registering at the beginning of each academic year, a Registration Contract (i.e. the enrolment contract) must be completed in full and must be signed by the student, their legal guardian (if necessary), the account payer, and the person providing financial surety for those paying the tuition fees. The Registration Contract is a legally binding document and is restricted to a twelve (12) month cycle (at a time).

Once the Registration Contract has been signed, the account payer becomes liable for the registration, tuition and fees of the programme registered for, after a 7-day cooling-off period.

Refunds may be requested by submitting the request in writing and supported by an explanation of the circumstances leading to the request for a refund. The Institution considers refund requests on a case-by-case basis and the decision to refund monies is at the absolute and sole discretion of the management of Boston City Campus.

Information pertaining to withdrawal from a programme once studies have commenced (i.e. cancellation) or pertaining to applications for deferral of studies are set out in the Registration Contract and/or the Student Rulebook. See also information under ‘Fees

Neither the National Benchmark Test (NBT) nor M-Scores are applicable for admission. See each programme in the Prospectus and Fact Sheet for its specific admission requirement.

The General Education Diploma (GED) carries certain exceptions for admission and Matriculation Board (MB) endorsement, contact the Registrar Administration for assistance. Matriculation Board (MB) endorsement may apply to Higher Certificate and Diploma graduates for entry into Bachelor’s Degree programmes. This is facilitated within Boston’s application process.

The endorsement fee is payable directly to the MB. More information is provided during the application process.

DHET Regulation 24(h)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) refers to the principles and processes through which the prior knowledge and skills of a person are made visible, mediated and rigorously assessed and moderated for the purposes of alternative access and admission, recognition and certification, or further learning and development. RPL may be used to grant access to a qualification programme, or advanced placement / exemption from modules. Exemption from modules do not translate to credits awarded and should be limited to no more than 50% of the modules. No more than 10% of a cohort of students in a programme should be admitted through RPL.*

Boston admits a small number of students through RPL. Applicants interested in applying through RPL will be considered individually by the Academic Committee based at the joint Head Office in Stellenbosch, see relevant section in the ‘Application for Admission Form’ online.

* CHE. 2016. Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment.

DHET Regulation 24(u)

Boston has implemented procedures for safety and security in terms of the Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 52 of 1993). In the event of an incident, it is essential that Students are aware of the guidelines concerning safety and evacuation procedures.

Embarking on higher education studies is an exciting journey. It can also be a time of change and pressure that may lead to unexpected challenges that affect a Student’s academic performance and/or personal life. Student. Wellness@Boston is an initiative that offers non-therapeutic assistance for academic success and referrals for personal, social or career issues/concerns. The Office of the Registrar and Faculty are available to assist Students with accessing of these functions.

During the various National Lockdown Levels, it is important that the following minimum protocols are adhered to by all staff, students and visitors:

• Participation in HEALTHCHECK and screenings;
• Completion of attendance registers;
• Maintaining social distancing;
• Wearing masks at all times;
• Continuation of sanitization and hygiene measures; and
• Restriction on maximum numbers for assembly of staff and students.

DHET Regulation 24(p)

Boston City Campus has appointed qualified and experienced lecturers and student advisors (higher education) or training advisors (short learning programmes and digital learning badges) who provide suitable support to Students.

Student support services typically include career counselling, academic counselling, academic progression counselling and remedial academic interventions. Students can contact lecturers any time via the learning management system, through e-mail, or alternatively book a telephonic, or Skype appointment. Face-to-face appointments can also be arranged but these will be by appointment only and will take place exclusively at the Head Offices in either Orange Grove, Johannesburg or Stellenbosch.  In addition, the Office of the Registrar, Faculty and Branch Managers are available to assist Students in accessing student support services.

Certain short learning programmes require evidence of which is to be included in a Portfolio of Evidence. As part of the requirement, learners are obligated to find suitable employment.

Graduate Support Services consists of a range of complimentary value-added services for all Boston Graduates. Boston City Campus is committed to education and committed to both current and past students. These services aim to enhance the journey from post-school studies into the world of work by providing additional tools and coaching needed in seeking employment. Branch/Support Centre Managers are available to assist graduates in accessing these services.