UPDATE: College diploma confusion clarified

WHAT is the difference between a TVET diploma and a university of technology diploma?

This is the question on many college graduates’ minds as they find themselves rejected by universities of technology to further their studies.

The ZO recently reported on a Richards Bay electrical engineering graduate who gained a diploma through Umfolozi TVET College, but cannot study for a degree at Durban University of Technology (DUT) without first completing DUT’s diploma.

‘This means I have to repeat the studies I already hold a diploma for,’ said the graduate, who requested anonymity.

With the problem appearing to span numerous faculties, more and more graduates are finding themselves in a similar predicament.

‘I think the matter urgently requires intervention from the Department of Education,’ said a TVET graduate of Human Resources Management.

‘You cannot spend three years studying towards a diploma only to be told it is not recognised, yet colleges are being promoted to be considered when one needs to further one’s education’.

This particular graduate was advised by DUT to first study towards their own Human Resources diploma before enrolling for the BTech programme.

‘I cannot consider this, as I feel it is a duplication of the qualification,’ she said.

Acting Executive Dean of DUT’s Faculty of Engineering, Professor Walker, clarified the matter in a statement.

‘TVET ‘N’ diplomas refer to the combined N4-N6 qualification which is rated at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level five, whereas universities of technology (UoT) diplomas are at NQF level six and the BTech degree at level seven.

‘This is because N diplomas consist of one year in classroom, while UoT diplomas amount to at least two.

‘N4-N6 is roughly equivalent in terms of cognitive demand and time spent to the first year of the UoT diploma,’ said Walker.

Students are, however, to take heart as their TVET diplomas are far from useless.

Apprenticeships

‘As part of the apprenticeship system, it is highly valued by employers in the engineering sectors,’ said Walker.

‘Secondly, the qualification allows access to the UoT diploma to students who did not have adequate matric results to enter the programme previously.’ Students could be exempt from a significant portion of the UoT diploma if the programmes share similar content.

This is the case in mechanical engineering, where a holder of a N6 diploma is exempt from ten of the 24 subjects within the UoT diploma.

‘uMfolozi TVET College students cannot go straight into studying towards their BTech degrees after receiving their diplomas because the modules offered at universities of technology are different from those offered at TVET colleges,’ said Bhekani Ndlovu, Umfolozi College’s Assistant Director Marketing and Communications.

‘While graduates of some courses may be exempt from modules common to both UoT and college diplomas, exemptions differ from course to course. ‘Colleges play a pivotal role in providing practical skills to students, most of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds,’ said Ndlovu.

Through its work-based experience office, the college has partnerships with Bell, Tongaat-Hulett, Foskor and the uMhlatuze Municipality. Students complete their 18-month work placements at these institutions, where they are often offered permanent employment.

To tackle issues surrounding the articulation of students between TVETs and UoTs, DUT has partnered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on a national research project, developing understanding of the enablers of student transitioning between TVET colleges and higher education institutions.

‘This project attempts to address gaps in the understanding of articulation and learning pathways, specifically to improve articulation between TVET Colleges and UoTs,’ concluded Walker.

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