Higher Certificate: Community Development Work

Career Opportunities & Professional Pathways

The aim of this programme is to provide qualified students with the necessary skills to integrate generic community development knowledge effectively, promoting ethical and professional community development work in practice. Graduates are equipped to pursue diverse careers across a wide range of sectors, including:

  • Local Government & Municipal Administration: Community Development Workers, Municipal Administrators, and IDP Coordinators, utilising foundational knowledge from Legislation and Municipal Processes and Participative Development Practices to drive local governance, policy implementation, and service delivery.
  • Sustainable Development & Human Settlements: Project Coordinators, Rural and Urban Development Facilitators, and Sustainability Officers, applying practical expertise in Sustainable Development Theory and Project Management to manage community infrastructure and development initiatives.
  • NGOs, NPOs & Community Health: Programme Managers, Community Health Promoters, and Advocacy Officers, leveraging skills in Ethics, Rights and Democracy and Work-integrated Learning to address critical social issues, including HIV/AIDS awareness and human settlement development.
  • Local Economic Development (LED): LED Facilitators and Development Practitioners, integrating community development knowledge to promote ethical, professional, and economically viable community projects and Local Economic Development initiatives.
Higher certificate : Higher Certificate: Community Development Work

HCCDWG

Campus

Duration of Programme

SAQA Credits

NQF Level

Bloemfontein Campus

1 year (full time) or 2 years (part-time)

120

5

Minimum Credits Required: 120

Programme-Specific Requirements

Minimum Qualification

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification.

Required Academic Performance

  • A recommended minimum of 26 points on the CUT scoring scale.
  • For candidates who matriculated in 2007 or before: A minimum mark of 50% in English.

Selection Process & Programme Regulations

  • Duration & Mode: Offered on a full-time basis over one year, or on a part-time basis over two years (subject to sufficient enrolment for the part-time option).
  • NCV Applicants: Applicants in possession of a National Certificate Vocational (NCV) will be evaluated according to the specific selection requirements approved by Senate.
  • Selection Process: Candidates with a CUT score lower than 26 points may be subject to a formal selection process based on a minimum threshold of points on the CUT scoring scale.
  • Academic Literacy Progression: The Academic Literacy and Communication Studies programme consists of two sequential offerings (A and B). Achieving a distinction (75% or more) in Offering A grants exemption from Offering B. A pass in Offering A requires the successful completion of Offering B. If Offering A is not passed, the student must re-register for it in a subsequent semester.
  • Graduation Requirements: Successful completion of this qualification requires the successful completion of both the Academic Literacy and Communication Studies programme and Personal Information Management.

Note for candidates who matriculated in 2007 or before: Please ensure you meet the additional requirement of a minimum 50% mark in English, alongside the general admission requirements.


Need the Full Programme Details? Consult the Student Calendar

We know that choosing your future is a big step! While this page gives you the key highlights, the official CUT Student Calendar is your complete, authoritative guide. We highly recommend reviewing it to see full details on this programme, including admission criteria, complete module structures, assessment rules, and what to expect during your studies.

 View the Student Calendar →

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