Repeating the CTA programme

We receive many enquiries from students who have to or who want to repeat some level of the CTA Programme. This section therefore provides a summary of the most pertinent rules governing this process. Other terms and conditions apply.

1. Academic Progression Rules

• A student is allowed a maximum of three consecutive years from the date of first registration to complete each 120-credit NQF level 8 qualification linked to the CTA programme – i.e. a maximum of three consecutive years for the CTA level 1 (98231) and a maximum of three consecutive years for the CTA level 2 (98255). Since the maximum period is specified as consecutive, should your studies be interrupted for whatever reason, it will still count towards one of the three years – unless formal deferment was requested in advance from the Office of the Registrar, based on valid reasons, and approved (as prescribed)

• In terms of the academic progression rules there is no so-called revert-and-repeat option. A student will therefore not be able to, e.g. revert to the CTA bridging qualification (98230), to later repeat the CTA level 1, should he/she already have exhausted the maximum three consecutive years towards the CTA level 1 in the most recent academic year; or revert to the CTA level 1, to later repeat the CTA level 2, should he/she already have exhausted the maximum three consecutive years towards the CTA level 2 in the most recent academic year.

• Note that as an existing UNISA student you already accepted adherence to these rules as part of your prior registration, and that a prior and new registrations are subject to these rules. Non-registration in a particular year would also make these rules effective. Please note: In no way did the College or UNISA ever guarantee that a student would be able to re-enrol for a qualification where the maximum period to complete is exhausted.

• If you have exhausted the maximum period to complete a CTA qualification, you might still be able to apply to a different university to continue your CTA-stream studies, subject to their criteria. Information on SAICA-endorsed Education Providers is available from www.saica.co.za. Note that other non-CA-stream studies at UNISA might still be possible should you meet the requirements (refer to www.unisa.ac.za). In such a case, please also remember that you must apply for admission to a qualification within the prescribed period (refer to section 3).

2. Requirements linked to the completion of certain modules

Certain module-completion requirements apply for the following qualifications –

• For the BCompt (98302), the bridging qualification (98230 – CTA) or other SAICA-endorsed NQF level 7 qualifications, all final-year modules must be completed in not more than three consecutive semesters or, in the case of year modules, in one academic year to meet the selection criteria for direct access to the CTA level 2 (98255). In addition, the admitting qualification cannot be older than three years (measured from the date of registration and completion of the last module, but excluding supplementary examinations and FI concessions completed in the following period) to be considered for direct access to the CTA level 2 (98255). There may be no outstanding results (outstanding supplementary/aegrotat examinations, remarks, rechecks or FI-concessions) for direct access to the CTA level 2 (98255).

• For the CTA level 1 (98231) or other SAICA-endorsed NQF level 8 qualification, all modules have to be completed successfully within the maximum period allowed (three consecutive years or less) to meet the admission requirements and selection criteria of the CTA level 2 (98255). Note that the modules linked to the CTA level 1 (98231) therefore do not have to be completed in one academic year, but could be completed on a piece-meal basis.

• For the CTA level 2 (98255) qualification all five modules have to be completed within the maximum period allowed to obtain this Postgraduate Diploma (for this purpose these could therefore be completed on a piece-meal basis over a maximum of three consecutive years prospectively from 2016). However, only students who pass all five modules in one academic year (including the January supplementary examination period) will be allowed to apply for admission to write the forthcoming Initial Test of Competence (ITC) administered by SAICA. More detail regarding the ITC is available from www.saica.co.za.

3. Requirement to submit an application for admission in the year before intended study

Although an application will not be required for returnngi students (repeating modules within the maximum period allowed), all students who may be in a position to meet the requirements of the next (new) qualification within the CTA programme are required to apply for admission in the dedicated time during the year preceding the intended date of studies. The application deadline and further information are available from www.unisa.ac.za. Unfortunately, students who failed to apply successfully in time cannot be accommodated