Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management

The Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management is a qualification that enables students who have successfully completed a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification to pursue a formal qualification in quality management. This Higher Certificate is a foundational programme aimed at equipping students with essential knowledge and skills in total quality management within a business and management context. The Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management is registered at NQF Level 5 and carries a total of 120 credits.

The purpose and outcomes of this qualification are to provide students with a solid grounding in the principles and practices of quality management. Graduates will be able to apply quality management frameworks and techniques to improve business processes, align quality systems with business needs, and contribute to the overall competitiveness and customer satisfaction levels of an organisation. In addition, the Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management develops a strong base in general management principles and financial understanding, which together enhance the graduate’s ability to function effectively in entry-level supervisory or support roles in a quality-focused business environment.

The qualification aims to respond to the growing national and international demand for businesses to maintain and improve quality standards in order to be competitive in the global economy. South African businesses, in particular, require professionals who can ensure service excellence and implement quality improvement initiatives that attract and retain both local and international customers. As such, students completing this programme will be prepared to assist in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating quality systems that contribute to operational and strategic improvement.

Minimum – 1 year of study (part-time)

Maximum – 3 years of study (part-time)

Student could potentially pursue a career in:

• Quality Assurance Officer / Manager
• Production Supervisor
• General Manager
• Operations Manager
• Risk Consultant
• Risk Manager

Upon successful completion of your programme, you will receive a certificate depicting: Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management and an academic transcript. These documents will be issued at the graduation ceremony, provided that your account is in order.

NB: Certificates cannot be issued to the students before a graduation ceremony.

The minimum requirements for admission into the Higher Certificate in Total Quality Management are either:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Higher Certificate endorsement, or

• A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with Higher Certificate endorsement, or

• Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), with Higher Certificate endorsement, or

• A Senior Certificate (SC), with University Exemption or Higher Certificate endorsement, or

• Foreign School leaving Certificate that complies with minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board (The Matriculation Board will do equivalency evaluation).

Alternative admission requirements:

• Senate discretionary admission

• Mature Age (23 – 45 years of age): conditions apply*

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Additional Requirements

• Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and English at NQF level 4 or equivalent

• Foreign applicants whose first language is not English, may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English prior to admission to the programme.

Lyceum may require appropriate combinations of subjects and levels of achievement for certain qualifications.

*Age exemption certificate must be attained from the Matriculation Board before admission can be granted.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016.

The final approval for applications in respect of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.

Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.