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You can prepare for your career in hospitality by pursuing a variety of different qualifications. Higher Education or academic qualifications – incl. degrees and national diplomas - can be pursued at Universities or Universities of Technology. Vocational or career-orientated qualifications that combine both theoretical and practical components are offered by way of certificates, learnerships and skills programs. 

What types of qualifications are available? 
 
Degrees:

• University: 3 to 4 years of Higher Education, often very theoretical, e.g. BA in Tourism. Largely academic, with little practical experience 
• University of Technology: BTech Degrees offered by Universities of Technology as fourth year to complete after National Diploma. Includes compulsory experiential education in the industry

National Diplomas: 3-year qualifications offered by Universities of Technology at Higher Education level, both theoretical and practical e.g. Diploma in Hospitality Management. 

Diplomas: 2-year qualifications offered by any accredited provider at Higher Education level, both theoretical and practical e.g. Diploma in Accommodation Services. 
 
Certificates: 1- year at Higher/ Further Education level offered by any accredited provider, can be very practical and skill orientated e.g. Certificate in Tourist Guiding.

Flexibility of Qualifications: 
 
Each registered qualification comprises numerous building blocks of learning or ‘unit standards’. These units can be carried across as credits towards partial completion of other, different qualifications should you at some stage choose to change career paths or diversify your field of expertise, therefore ensuring greater employability. This system is referred to as ‘portability of unit standards’. 
 
Where do I want to study? 

• University: Higher education, largely academic, with little practical experience - Degrees
• University of Technology: Academic and practical tuition that includes compulsory experiential education in the industry - National Diplomas & BTech degrees.
• FET College: Vocation-specific tuition with a great deal of practical tuition -Diplomas, certificates & skills programs.
• Private Provider: Both Higher Education & Training and Further Education & Training providers must be accredited with the national authorities, the Higher Education and Quality Committee, UMALUSI, or SETA’s.
• On-the-Job Learning: Work and study at the same time. 
   

Registered Qualifications
**When selecting any of these qualifications, please contact Theta’s offices to confirm which service providers are accredited.

NC in Accommodation Services (NQF2)
NC in Fast Food Services (NQF3)
NC in Hospitality Reception (NQF4)
NC in Food & Beverage Services (NQF4)
NC in Professional Cookery (NQF4)
ND in Fast Food Services (NQF5)
ND in Accommodation Services (NQF5)
ND in Food & Beverage Management (NQF5)
ND in Professional Cookery (NQF5)
ND in Service Management (NQF5) 
 
Registered Learnerships
NC in Accommodation Services (NQF2)
NC in Fast Food Services (NQF3)
NC in Hospitality Reception (NQF4)
NC in Food & Beverage Services (NQF4)
NC in Professional Cookery (NQF4)
 
For detailed information on careers, registered qualifications, names of accredited training providers / institutions and other career related information,

Please contact Theta on:
Tel: 086 010 0221
Email: mummy@theta.org.za