NQF Level 5 - SAQA ID 83488
The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Audio Technology is to offer a shorter qualification than a Degree or three year Diploma, yet which has merit as a distinct qualification in its own right, and adds a valuable intermediate set of skills to the audio industry.
A secondary purpose of this certificate programme is to allow learners a means of progression, by way of diagonal articulation, to a diploma or degree programme.
Learners who have lower levels of achievement, or unsuitable subject combinations, on their National Senior Certificate, would otherwise not have access to a diploma programme. This will provide opportunity for continued lifelong learning and thus provide additional means of career progression and social transformation. This mechanism also allows the learner, who, due to financial or other limitations, would not otherwise be able to complete a Diploma or Degree programme in three years, the option to attain the Diploma or Degree, by spreading his or her studies over a longer period. A mechanism is thus provided for learners to progress through a Higher Certificate, with the option of completing several short courses, or skills programmes, and finally, with additional full-time study, on to the attainment of a Diploma or Degree.

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Entry Requirements
- In order to achieve the Academy of Sound Engineering Higher Certificate in Audio Technology, students are required to pass all the modules/learning units in the Higher Certificate programme in full, both theory and practical where applicable.
- In order to pass a module, students are required to pass both the theory and practical portions of each, where applicable.
- For each module/learning unit, the final mark is made up of a combination of assessments.
- Weightings for the various types of assessments differ for each module/learning unit.
- The pass mark for theoretical assessments is 50%, and the pass mark for practical assessments is 70% (with the exception of Pro Tools, where the pass mark is 80%).
- In the case of Pro Tools modules, students are required to pass the final Avid assessment in order to pass the learning unit.
- In all cases, the summative assessments must be attempted in order to pass the module and a minimum of 70% of all assessments must be attempted per module/learning unit.
- Students may only progress to second year status if at least 85 credits from the first year have been successfully achieved and all core modules have been successfully passed.
- Students may only progress to third year status if at least 85 credits of the second year have been successfully achieved and all core modules have been successfully passed.
- Credits may only be carried across for one academic year.
Syllabus
Fundamentals
Academic and Communication Skills
Mathematical Sciences
Applied Mathematics for Audio Technicians
Computing and IT
Computer Skills
Digital Audio Workstation
Core - Introduction to DAW
Digital Audio Theory 5
Audio Technology
Core - Core Audio 1
Core - Core Audio 2
Core - Core Audio 3
Core - Core Audio 4
Core - Core Audio 5
Core - Core Audio 6
Electronics
Electronics Fundamentals 5
Electronics Practical 5-1
Electronics Practical 5-2
Industry Practices
Career Orientation
Lectures from the Industry 5
Industry Practices 5
Live Sound Reinforcement
Staging and Live Sound fundamentals
Introduction to Lighting and Vision Projection for Live Shows
Music & Music Recording
Music 5-1
MBM Module 1
Overview of the Music Industry and Key Players
Introduction to the Record Industry and its Inner Workings
Where do my Royalties Come From?
Royalty Streams
Collective Management Organisations
The Current State of the Industry - Local and International
MBM Module 2
The Law of Copyright, including Copyright Infringement Case Studies
Neighbouring Rights and Performers’ Protection
The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act
MBM Module 3
General Principles of Contract (using music industry case studies)
Recording Contracts and All Variants Thereof
Music Publishing Contracts and All Variants Thereof
Artist Management Agreements