Understanding Career Development Through NQF Levels

Navigating your academic and career journey can often feel like exploring a maze, but with the clarity provided by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), you can map out a trajectory to meet your career aspirations.

In Namibia, the NQF has ten levels, each representing different degrees of skill, competency, and knowledge, however, at the tertiary level, NQF levels only range from 5 to 10. Understanding these levels will help you plan your career development strategically, as career advancement often depends on the level of knowledge attained. They further provide a clear idea of what’s needed to achieve your goals, especially when specific skills are required. Enhancing your educational skills can also serve as an advantage when the lowest level of education is required.

Each NQF level signifies a standard of intellectual and academic skill, with each progression indicating more advanced expertise. For instance, NQF Level 6 diplomas (advanced certificates) showcase basic skill acquisition centered around fundamental principles. NQF Level 7 diplomas (bachelor’s degree equivalent) provide an intermediate foundation of principles. Postgraduate diplomas at NQF Level 8 (honours degree equivalent) are upper-intermediate, offering a deeper understanding of concepts. Master’s programs are advanced, providing comprehensive knowledge of specialized subjects, while doctorate programs represent mastery, offering novel and extensive expertise.

These levels are further defined by credits that detail the scope of learning, module weight, and assessments. Credits reflect your understanding and effort in obtaining a qualification. At the Namibia Business School, credits translate into academic symbols (A to E) at the end of the semester and contribute to your overall qualification average.

Programme Credits:

1. Diploma in Business Management: 136
2. Diploma in Project Management: 128
3. Diploma in Business Leadership: 136
4. Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration: 138
5. Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Leadership [Higher Education]: 138
6. Master of Business Administration: 280
7. Doctor of Business Administration: 384

NQF levels show employers your competency, skill, and knowledge level, while credits highlight your personal effort in obtaining highest level of understanding. This combined with your experience and exposure, provide a comprehensive picture of your capabilities.

When considering a study programme, it is highly recommended to first chart a career trajectory based on your academic experience. This approach will simplify your decision-making for the next NQF qualification and help avoid enrolling in a programme that doesn’t offer a competitive advantage in your specialization. However, this can be an exception if you are pivoting into a different career path or adding new skills to your professional arsenal.

For instance, if you have a master’s in marketing (NQF Level 9) and would like to complement this with a new skill set that demonstrates your ability to run multiple projects simultaneously, you can apply for the Diploma in Project Management (NQF Level 6) regardless of its NQF level. Additionally, if you have a bachelor’s degree in media (NQF Level 7) and would like to become an industry leader, you can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (NQF Level 8), which will ease your entry into a master’s programme.