B.Tech IT

[c10n3d_0r6]

I'm finishing the National Diploma in IT through Unisa this year and want to enrol in the B.Tech IT but I see Unisa are no longer offering it. I've tried to get hold of them numerous times to find out if there will be something similar replacing it but I have had no response from them. I am working full time and need to do something part time, ODL preferably.

Does anyone know where else this degree can be obtained aside from Unisa or if Unisa is planning on offering it again?

 

[bopman]

The Btech has been replaced by Advanced Diploma in Information Resource Management. The information will most likely be up on Unisa's site soon. This is a completely new route (rather than the old Btech->Mtech->Dtech) and the good news is you can easily change paths on this route and go Msc Phd instead. This whole new route was designed to bring the nqf levels up to scratch as Mtech and Dtech was a level lower than MSC and Phd.

 

[c10n3d_0r6]

Thanks a lot. I've sent so many emails to the university and one post on MyBroadband works. I'm going to apply now then for the Advanced Diploma. I hope they will process the application even though I haven't finished the National Diploma yet.

 

[c10n3d_0r6]

The Btech has been replaced by Advanced Diploma in Information Resource Management. The information will most likely be up on Unisa's site soon. This is a completely new route (rather than the old Btech->Mtech->Dtech) and the good news is you can easily change paths on this route and go Msc Phd instead. This whole new route was designed to bring the nqf levels up to scratch as Mtech and Dtech was a level lower than MSC and Phd.

View attachment 302852

Another thing: From looking at the diagram, if I complete the Advanced Diploma, would I then be able to do one more year to convert that into a B.Sc Honours in Computing?

 

[Dada]

Just to start a flame war. MTech is the same level as a Msc, MA or MComm. DTech === PhD.

Would love to hear what the naysayers are going to say

The Btech has been replaced by Advanced Diploma in Information Resource Management. The information will most likely be up on Unisa's site soon. This is a completely new route (rather than the old Btech->Mtech->Dtech) and the good news is you can easily change paths on this route and go Msc Phd instead. This whole new route was designed to bring the nqf levels up to scratch as Mtech and Dtech was a level lower than MSC and Phd.

View attachment 302852

 

[bopman]

Another thing: From looking at the diagram, if I complete the Advanced Diploma, would I then be able to do one more year to convert that into a B.Sc Honours in Computing?

Correct. You will be able to do the B.Sc Honours straight after completing that diploma at Unisa. Not sure about the other universities, although I can imagine they will follow the same path.

Just to start a flame war. MTech is the same level as a Msc, MA or MComm. DTech === PhD.

The MTech and Dtech certainly aren't bad qualifications to have, and you more or less do the same things, but at the end of the day a Dtech is NQF 9 and a PhD NQF 10 - not that most employers would mind, but your salary certainly will be lower.

 

[Dada]

Not necessarily I am doing my MTech at CPUT and it's a level 9 the doctorate should be rated equally at 10
http://regqs.saqa.org.za/viewQualification.php?id=78758

Correct. You will be able to do the B.Sc Honours straight after completing that diploma at Unisa. Not sure about the other universities, although I can imagine they will follow the same path.



The MTech and Dtech certainly aren't bad qualifications to have, and you more or less do the same things, but at the end of the day a Dtech is NQF 9 and a PhD NQF 10 - not that most employers would mind, but your salary certainly will be lower.

 

[bopman]

Not necessarily I am doing my MTech at CPUT and it's a level 9 the doctorate should be rated equally at 10
http://regqs.saqa.org.za/viewQualification.php?id=78758

Interesting. So at CPUT you can jump straight from a level 7 btech to a level 9 Mtech. I'm also planning to do my Mtech next year, looks like I will have to give Unisa a skip then, definitely an 8 there. But was thinking of going the PhD route after that. Mainly because the University I work at will not accept a Dtech in higher proffessor positions - PhD only.

 

[cguy]

Just to start a flame war. MTech is the same level as a Msc, MA or MComm. DTech === PhD.

Would love to hear what the naysayers are going to say

Naysayers would say that NQF level is mostly irrelevant - having a scientific doctorate is only relevant if you have strong skills in CS theory or Maths/Stats, and research to match, regardless of it being a DTech or PhD. Specifically, I would look at undergraduate qualifications and/or specific mention of having these skills.

 

[DA-LION-619]

To the guys doing your MTech, I assume in a IT related field, is there a reason?

Almost done with my N.Dip and if the opportunity does present itself I'll continue to study as long as it's free otherwise I'd like to do a Bsc Hons in computing or certificates and specialize.

 

[^^vampire^^]

I did my NDip and BTech and currently doing BSc Honours in Computing. Maybe look into informatics if you want to do software dev.

 

[Dada]

yeah I agree

Naysayers would say that NQF level is mostly irrelevant - having a scientific doctorate is only relevant if you have strong skills in CS theory or Maths/Stats, and research to match, regardless of it being a DTech or PhD. Specifically, I would look at undergraduate qualifications and/or specific mention of having these skills.

 

[Dada]

When I finished my BTech I started working and got bored with not being in an academic environment, so I decided to go back and do my MTech part time. So far it's been worth it. Through the lows and highs. I am on my way to handing in my thesis next month

To the guys doing your MTech, I assume in a IT related field, is there a reason?

Almost done with my N.Dip and if the opportunity does present itself I'll continue to study as long as it's free otherwise I'd like to do a Bsc Hons in computing or certificates and specialize.

 

[bopman]

Naysayers would say that NQF level is mostly irrelevant - having a scientific doctorate is only relevant if you have strong skills in CS theory or Maths/Stats, and research to match, regardless of it being a DTech or PhD. Specifically, I would look at undergraduate qualifications and/or specific mention of having these skills.

At some companies (ie. the university where I work) NQF levels are very important, also if you are planning to go overseas.

 

[Pakka]

I currently have a B.Tech: IT and 4 years of working experience as a developer. I might be interested in studying further or doing extra qualifications for the sole purpose of earning more dough.

I'm also considering getting my MCSD.

Any suggestions on what path I can go for?

I've just started working on Android too. You can check out my Android app, called GPS Drag Racer. It uses your phones GPS to record your fastest times. Now you can street race against your friends in different locations

 

[mr_norris]

I did my NDip and BTech and currently doing BSc Honours in Computing. Maybe look into informatics if you want to do software dev.

If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide to do Honours? I'm finishing up with my degree this year. Taking a break next year, then thinking of applying for honours. Still a bit undecided though.

 

[cguy]

At some companies (ie. the university where I work) NQF levels are very important, also if you are planning to go overseas.

NQF 10 vs. 9 isn't likely to matter much in most cases (even at a university, publication record likely trumps NQF 9 vs 10). What is likely much more important is if you get an interview, and don't know what R^2, iid or singular values are, or come across as someone who did a "project", rather than a doctorate.

 

[freddster]

Where does MS and Java /Oracle etc certification put you? Should one do Diploma, degree or certification or both?

 

[cguy]

Where does MS and Java /Oracle etc certification put you? Should one do Diploma, degree or certification or both?

I would say degree preferably, if not, a diploma. After doing one of these, optionally a certification - personally, I would only do a certification if I was having trouble finding a job, due to a lack of hands on experience (usually implies that you did the bare minimum to get your degree/diploma). Doing a certification only may also be a quick way to get into the job market, but you will likely be handicapped in your career by not having the diploma/degree background.

 

[shauntir]

I personally followed the BSc route. I am now doing the M$ certs (MCSA + MCSD). In terms of employability, I think a degree is a must. The certs are like icing on a cake as it can help land you the type of job you want.

Also, there is a fair amount of comp sci in some of the certs. Like for example, the 70-461 SQL content includes some basic set theory, data structures (B-Trees), and loop constructs.