Occupational Certificate
Occupational Certificate: Software Developer
Accreditation
Occupational Certificate: Software Developer, NQF Level 5, 220 credits (SAQA ID 118707). Offered by Zaio Institute of Technology as a QCTO-accredited Skills Development Provider under accreditation number 07-QCTO/SDP220925101328.
A nationally registered qualification, not a degree. Pass the national EISA and the QCTO issues the certificate. How to verify.
This software development course is the QCTO's Occupational Certificate: Software Developer, taught by Zaio Institute of Technology over two years, online and live. You cover the full national curriculum, knowledge, practical and workplace modules, then Zaio's own modules in Python, React, Node.js, SQL and AI-assisted development, and finish with a production portfolio and the national EISA exam.
Entry is matric or an NQF Level 4 equivalent. Tuition is paid per year and can be financed monthly through Manati. Zaio delivers the training; the QCTO issues the certificate.
Curriculum
25 modules
The theory, taught in live classes and assessed by exam, plus Zaio Theory modules that go past the national minimum.
20 modules
Hands-on work alongside the theory, including Zaio Practicals that simulate real production environments.
4 modules
Workplace modules completed with an employer or on site with Zaio, assessed by observation and a logbook. Zaio helps arrange the placement; you do not have to find a company on your own.
Every module, and what it is worth in credits
In the 2027 learner prospectus. Read it here, or download the PDF.
Tools you will use
How the time is spent
About 22 months in total
1.2 years
QCTO Curriculum Class time, practical assignments and take home work
4 months
Zaio Extended Curriculum
4 months
Simulated Work Place experience and Final Exam
The difference
Most providers teach the QCTO minimum. Zaio adds 23 modules of its own, so you graduate able to:
The qualification is registered on the NQF at Level 5 and issued by the QCTO after the national EISA exam. The 23 Zaio modules on top of it are what let you pull a company's codebase and ship a feature in your first week.
You will be able to pull a company's codebase, understand it, and add production-ready features immediately.
From ReactJS to LangChain, you'll master tools that most junior devs won't touch until years into their careers.
Learn how to code faster, debug smarter, and ship solutions using AI-assisted development.
With personal branding, GitHub projects, and deployment experience, you won't just be a graduate — you'll be a complete professional.
Outcomes
Graduates work as full-stack, front-end and back-end developers, or take the qualification into product, QA and start-up roles.
Faculty
Co-founder and software engineer
Teaches
Full stack, AI and cloud
Full-stack developer and multimedia artist
Teaches
Full stack and AI
Tuition
Pay by year
Paid year by year as you progress, with the national EISA exam fee at the end.
Pay monthly — flexible financing
R5,850 a month
Spread across the 2 years you are studying. Financed through Manati, up to 100% of tuition, so you can start without paying it all upfront. Approval is theirs, and every cost is confirmed in writing before you enrol.
Ready to start
Who can apply
Takes about five minutes.
FAQ
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