Occupational Qualification · J1
Discretionary Grant · RollingJournalist
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 5
- Credits
- 193
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 101872
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 101872
- Min Credits
- 193
- Registered
- 2018-07-01
- Re-registration
- 2025-12-30
- Field
- Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language
- Sub-field
- Communication Studies
Sample Asset Preview





Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Journalist Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Journalist.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 5 yielding 193 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified journalist, you can find employment opportunities in Furniture, Paper, Printing, Packaging, Forestry. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under FP&M SETA scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing FP&M SETA quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
Designed as a Occupational Certificate at NQF Level 5 worth 193 credits, the Journalist equips you with both theoretical understanding and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to perform complex tasks, solve real-world problems, and adapt to the demands of a dynamic work environment. This qualification is your stepping stone to becoming a confident, capable professional.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Journalist. A Journalist originates and pitches content ideas, collects and analyses information for journalistic use and creates and delivers content for an array of journalistic purposes in a variety of formats and on various media platforms. A qualified learner will be able to: • Originate and pitch content ideas for media use. • Collect and analyse information for journalistic use. • Create and deliver content for a variety of journalistic purposes and formats.
Entry Requirements▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: A Level 4 qualification with Communication and Computer Literacy.
SAQA Rationale▾
Journalists play an important role in society. Journalists keep the public informed about developments, events and issues and how these affect people's lives. They investigate stories, provide critique and educate the public. They carry the responsibilities to convey the information in a balanced and accurate manner. The historical qualification in Journalism has enjoyed considerable uptake since its registration. However, it lacks formal provision for incorporating multimedia platforms in converged newsrooms. The revised qualification covers online/digital journalism and includes an understanding of social media in journalism and the involvement of readers/users in setting news agendas and providing feedback. This occupational qualification will meet the sector's needs for journalists entering the profession as general reporters and who can operate on various platforms radio, television, print and on-line. Journalists must be able to generate stories in text, video, still image and sound. Typical learners will include those who are in a journalism environment, school-leavers who wish to pursue a career in journalism or college or university graduates who want a hands-on experience of the newsroom. Benefits to the learner will include a nationally recognised qualification that will improve the current competencies of journalists and adequately prepare them for the future. Learners will receive a high standard of training and education in journalism that is occupationally aligned. Once qualified, learners will be able to further their education and obtain access to sector related programmes. Employers will have access to suitably qualified general reporters. Benefits to society and economy include creating career pathways in the Sector, which will enable employees to move between platforms and move up the career ladder. This will create a healthy employment cycle, providing employment opportunities.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: A Level 4 qualification with Communication and Computer Literacy.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Originate and pitch content ideas.
- Report by gathering information and materials.
- Create publishable content.
Learning Material Included
- Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
- Facilitator Guide
- Workplace Logbook
- Formative and Summative Assessment
- Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
- SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
- Administrative & Onboarding Pack
- Implementation Plan
Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown
11 modules · 117 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 264203000-KM-016 cr
Introduction to journalism
NQF Level 5
- 264203000-KM-028 cr
The legal and ethical framework for the media
NQF Level 6
- 264203000-KM-038 cr
Governance and democracy
NQF Level 5
- 264203000-KM-049 cr
Origination and pitching of content ideas
NQF Level 5
- 264203000-KM-0511 cr
Information gathering
NQF Level 5
- 264203000-KM-0610 cr
Storytelling
NQF Level 5
- 264203000-KM-076 cr
Personal development
NQF Level 5
Qualification 101872 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Journalist · NQF Level 5 (193 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- Step 4
External Moderation
SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.
Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard
The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.
Broken Standard
i2Graduates Standard
Curriculum Mapping
Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
7 KM + 4 PM + 0 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 5
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
FP&M SETA alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Journalist delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R64 650
Digital Master Suite
Editable master files, licensed to your SDP
- Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
- Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
- Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
- Free minor corrections for 12 months
Turnkey Print & Bound Package
Printed, bound and couriered per learner
- Everything in the Digital Master Suite
- Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
- Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
- Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle
Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end
- Everything in the Print & Bound Package
- Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
- Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
- Brand & metadata integration across the suite
Complementary Services
Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.
