Communication Studies and Language includes qualifications for Communication Studies, Information Studies and Language.
QCTO Qualifications for Communication Studies and Language in 2023

The Quality Council for Trade and Occupations (QCTO) is responsible for ensuring that the occupational qualifications registered are in demand.
Communication Studies and Language Qualifications for Journalism
National Certificate in Journalism
Purpose and Reason:
This certificate aims to teach learners about journalism in today’s world.
Prerequisites:
- Learners need to be proficient in English and have completed NQF level 4.
Recognizing Prior Learning:
No previous learning recognition is required.
What You’ll Learn:
Critical Cross-field Outcomes:
- Solve journalism problems effectively.
- Understand journalism in a changing world.
Specific Skills You’ll Gain Studying Journalism:
- Writing compelling headlines.
- Crafting single-subject and multi-element stories.
- Conducting interviews.
- Ensuring data accuracy.
- Using quotes effectively.
- Handling quotes ethically and citing sources correctly.
- Writing obituaries.
- Finding information efficiently.
- Following newspaper policies.
- Preparing for various events and meetings.
- Reporting on accidents and disasters.
- Covering court stories.
- Reporting on specific topics.
- Budgeting for stories.
- Writing different types of news.
- Creating engaging dialogue and first-person stories.
- Structuring stories effectively.
- Conducting investigative reporting.
- Understanding media law.
- Discussing media ethics.

Communication Studies and Language Qualifications for Liason Interpreting
National Diploma in Liaison Interpreting
This diploma aims to enhance interpreting services, ensuring quality and ethical conduct, benefiting both interpreters and the public.
For Social and Economic Progress:
- Graduates can improve their income by gaining recognized competence.
- Optional courses support entrepreneurship, contributing to the economy.
- They promote linguistic rights, better access to services, and resolving communication conflicts.
For Individual Learners:
- Graduates can interpret dialogue between languages, adapting to different contexts.
- They can listen, understand, analyze, and reformulate messages accurately.
- They manage interpreting situations, mediating between cultures and managing differences in power and status.
Why This Qualification Matters:
- Liaison interpreting bridges communication gaps in diverse settings.
- It’s crucial for situations like doctor-patient interactions, ensuring access to information and human rights.
- Graduates serve the community, meeting interpreting needs in courts, healthcare, and education.
Roles Graduates Can Fulfill:
- Interpreting in various legal settings, including mediation and arbitration.
- Providing telephone, business, health, and educational interpreting services.
- Supporting language needs in educational settings, particularly in further education.

Communication Studies and Language Qualifications for Library Assistant
Occupational Certificate in Library Assistance
This certificate prepares learners for various roles in libraries, supporting community development and literacy advancement.
Purpose:
This certificate trains learners to work as Library Assistants. They help users find materials, organize resources, and support librarians in providing service.
What You’ll Learn:
- Assist library users in finding materials and using e-resources.
- Organize and shelve library materials.
- Manage library records for books and materials.
- Handle administrative tasks like filing and word processing.
- Assist with outreach programs, marketing, and displays.
Why It Matters:
- There’s a nationwide need for trained Library Assistants, especially in rural areas.
- Current Library Assistants often lack formal training.
- Employees want support staff to have recognized skills and training.
- This qualification provides education and training for Library and Information Services (LIS) workers across different sectors and communities.
Who It’s For:
- Unemployed individuals
- School leavers
- Library support staff
- Newcomers to LIS
- Adult learners
Field 004: Communication Studies and Language
The QCTO is the Primary or Delegated QA Functionary of the following qualifications on the OQSF:
| Qual / Prog ID | Qualification Title / Learning Programme Title | Pre-2009 NQF Level | NQF Level | Learning Subfield | Originator | Min Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16203 | National Certificate: Journalism | Level 4 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Communication Studies | Damelin | 120 |
| 49023 | National Diploma: Liaison Interpreting | Level 5 | NQF Level 05 | Communication Studies | SGB Translation, Interpreting and Language Editing | 249 |
| 94598 | Occupational Certificate: Library Assistant | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Information Studies | Development Quality Partner – ETDP SETA | 127 |
Lists of New QCTO Qualifications:
- Check out this list of currently registered learnerships. There is a pipeline of new qualifications being developed so there’s a lot of stuff to keep up to date with!
- NQF. Level 1 and 2 for those with little or no high school and limited if any work experience
- List of NQF Level 3 qualifications for those with some high school and little or no work experience.
- Awesome NQF Level 4 qualifications for Matriculants or experienced workers.
We are adding more updates so follow #KeepClimbing for the latest.
Field 004 in 2017
There were only 11 qualifications registered with the Quality Council for Trade and Occupations in this field.
Communication Studies and Language includes qualifications for Communication Studies, Information Studies and Language.
| Learning Subfield | Qual / Prog ID | Qualification Title / Learning Programme Title | NQF Level | Originator | Min Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Studies | 15789 | Certificate: Conversational French | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 15792 | Certificate: Conversational German | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 15795 | Certificate: Conversational Italian | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 15796 | Certificate: Conversational Spanish | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 15797 | Certificate: Conversational Zulu | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 16208 | Certificate: Introduction: Media Studies and Journalism | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 19447 | Certificate: Xhosa Intensive | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 16203 | National Certificate: Journalism | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Damelin | 120 |
| Communication Studies | 49023 | National Diploma: Liaison Interpreting | NQF Level 05 | SGB Translation, Interpreting and Language Editing | 249 |
| Information Studies | 94598 | Occupational Certificate: Library Assistant | NQF Level 05 | Development Quality Partner – ETDP SETA | 127 |
| Language | 16209 | Certificate: Zulu for Beginners | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4 | Intec College | 120 |

