Higher Certificate: Military Studies

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Military Studies. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose

The Parliamentary initiative, the Military Skills Development Strategy (MSDS), aimed at improving the quality of the human resources available to the Department of Defence (DOD), and through the DOD to the South African citizens in general, was initiated during 2002. Prospective officers recruited from the annual MSDS intake are required to enrol for the HCMS. The HCMS was designed to address the need for higher education for officers (first qualification) as defined by the SANDF's Human Resource Strategy 2010. The Qualification: HCMS therefore will provide the student (prospective officers in the SANDF) with:

• A firm Education, Training and Development foundation on the entry-level of HE allowing access to further contracts and functional training required for their further military careers.
• Provide the successful candidates with a first (HE) qualification in a career of life-long learning, facilitating articulation to degree studies.
• Transferable skills and attitudes that will improve the quality of the human resources available to the Reserve in particular and the body of South African citizens in general.

The HCMS will promote knowledge, aptitudes and skills regarding the five focus areas (Human and Organisational Development, Organisational and Resource Management, Military Technology, Technology and Defence Management and Security and Africa Studies) in the military context:

• Contributing to and facilitating professional and personal growth.
• Providing such depth to successful candidates that they may gain access to further studies in the BMil Programme in one of the focus areas.
• Providing education in one of the focus areas on the introductory level enabling successful candidates to effectively function on his/her applicable level and to assist his/her commanders/managers in the SANDF in relating matters.

Rationale

The HCMS will be presented within the framework of the standing agreement between the Department of Defence and the University of Stellenbosch dd 31 Jan 1961 as amended (see Addendum to the agreement dd 7 Dec 1999):

• Participation in and contributing to the success of the Parliamentary Initiative of the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) through the HCMS, thereby assisting the DOD in improving the educational level of it's officers corps, will not only contribute to the SU's posture as institution of excellence, but will confirm the SU's commitment to a new democratic SA and its position as a national asset. Indirectly contributing to a security environment that will ensure a stable platform for NEPAD and the RSA's position and role in the AU.
• The contribution of the SU and the Faculty of Military Science to the professional and personal growth of the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) future leaders (prospective career officers) by positively contributing to their scientific capacity through this entry-level qualification, as a first step in a career of life-long learning, will be further institutionalised through the HCMS.
• Participation in and contributing to the success of the HCMS would ensure the SU's and Faculty of Military Science's position as centre for academic scholarly and scientific practice enabling SA and the SANDF to remain the regional leader in the security sector.

The interest of the SANDF in terms of it's Institutional Mission and Plan will be served as follow

• The HCMS as medium through which a 1st HE qualification would be obtained, will contribute to the strategic focus of the DOD "acquiring the optimal level of competencies to become a modern and balanced defence force" through higher education.
• The HCMS serves as platform on which further officer education would be based, providing knowledgeable leaders through which the DOD would be able to enhance national, regional and global security. The stable security environment would provide the platform for the successful implementation of initiatives like NEPAD and facilitate the effective functioning of organisations like the African Union.

Military Academy's Institutional Mission and Plan

• Presenting the HCMS would contribute to the institutionalisation of HE as integral part of officer development in not only the SANDF, but eventually also at a regional level in Southern Africa and the African continent.
• Presenting the HCMS would facilitate the integration of the Military Academy in the ETD system of the DOD and would contribute to the Military Academy's stature as an Academy in benchmarking with other military academies.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications are considered in accordance with the SU and Faculty "Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning" and decisions are reported to the Executive Committee of Senate (SU).

Access to the Qualification

Matriculation Exemption

• Module requirements: Mathematics and Military Physics; D symbol (Higher Grade) or B symbol (Standard grade) in Mathematics.
• Military Geography: E symbol (Higher Grade) or D symbol (Standard grade) in Mathematics or Geography.

The HCMS is a NQF Level 5 qualification with articulation possibilities to the NQF Level 6 BMil Degree. The minimum admission requirements for the BMil degree therefore apply.

Exit Level of programme; NQF Level 5.

Duration; 1 year full-time.

Total Credits; 120.

Learning Component; NQF Level

• Core; 5.

N/A

The programme involves contact teaching, tutorials and practicals. A student-centred approach, encouraging students to assume responsibility for their own learning and actively participate in class and tutorial discussions, is followed. Guidelines applicable to specific modules are explained in comprehensive study guides provided to all students.

Integrated Assessment

Regular assessment and feedback will be provided to students.

The objective of academic support enjoys a very high priority, with the following support provided for

• Academic Support Programme.
• Personal Development.
• Diversity Accommodation.
• Generic modules supporting general academic performance.

(Computer Skills, English Studies)

• Subject-specific academic support.
• Language development.
• Information literacy.