National Certificate in Land Surveying and Geomatics
This course develops your ability to collect and interpret spatial information for surveying, mapping and land-related decisions.
About the course
This course develops your ability to collect and interpret spatial information for surveying, mapping and land-related decisions. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Plan a survey or spatial-data task with appropriate accuracy requirements.
Process measurements and produce clear spatial outputs.
Evaluate data quality and communicate limitations in a technical report.
Requirements
Review your English, numerical skills and introductory knowledge of the subject. Prepare to follow technical instructions, record results and complete supervised practical work. Check the provider's published admission requirements for this certificate before enrolment.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 16 subjects
1Specialist subjects9 subjects
2Foundations and shared practice5 subjects
3Practical integration2 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
16 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Photogrammetry And Remote Sensing. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Earthwork Survey. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Control Survey. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Detail Survey. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Survey Draughting. Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
- Beacon Relocation. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Survey And Geomatics Project Planning. Study the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
- Geographical Information Systems 1. Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
- Instrumentation For Surveying. Study the measurement and control of a system through sensors, processing and actuators. Practice centres on a measurement or control-loop investigation, drawing on measured variables and sensor characteristics and signal conditioning and data acquisition. You will record findings, justify decisions and check calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
Foundations and shared practice
- Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management. Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
- Workplace Communication. Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
- Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development. Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
- National Studies. Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Practical integration
- Geological Surveying For Engineering Projects. Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving photogrammetry and remote sensing, earthwork survey. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate photogrammetry and remote sensing, earthwork survey within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: applied questions, calculations or short cases linked to the learning areas.
- Suggested practical assessment: demonstrate a procedure and submit a portfolio showing your method, results and quality checks.
- Explain your decisions to the assessor and use feedback to improve the completed work.
Practical application
Develop a supervised survey and mapping project with a field plan, measurement records, quality checks and a final map.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Photogrammetry And Remote Sensing
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Photogrammetry And Remote Sensing, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Earthwork Survey
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Earthwork Survey, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Control Survey
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Control Survey, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Detail Survey
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Detail Survey, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Survey Draughting
Study the communication of technical information through drawings and models. Practice centres on a checked drawing or model portfolio, drawing on drawing conventions, scale and dimensions and views, sections and projection. You will record findings, justify decisions and check dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret a drawing using scale, dimensions and conventions.
- Produce coordinated technical views for a stated purpose.
- Check and revise a drawing set using recorded feedback.
Main topics
- Drawing conventions, scale and dimensions
- Views, sections and projection
- Interpreting a technical brief
- Manual and computer-aided drawing tools
- Detail coordination and revision control
- Checking drawings against measurements and specifications
Practical task
For Survey Draughting, prepare a checked drawing or model portfolio in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of dimensional consistency, completeness and usability by another person.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Beacon Relocation
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Beacon Relocation, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Survey And Geomatics Project Planning
Study the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Survey And Geomatics Project Planning, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
A work plan, resource estimate and explanation of sequencing and quality checks.
Geographical Information Systems 1
Study the measurement and representation of positions, levels and land features. Practice centres on a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan, drawing on coordinates, reference systems and control and survey equipment and field preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Learning outcomes
- Plan observations around a stated mapping or setting-out need.
- Record and reduce measurements with appropriate checks.
- Produce a spatial output and explain its accuracy limits.
Main topics
- Coordinates, reference systems and control
- Survey equipment and field preparation
- Distances, angles, levels and observations
- Field records and error checking
- Calculations, mapping and data presentation
- Accuracy, limitations and survey reporting
Practical task
For Geographical Information Systems 1, prepare a field record, calculation sheet and checked plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of reference consistency, closure checks and traceability of observations.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Instrumentation For Surveying
Study the measurement and control of a system through sensors, processing and actuators. Practice centres on a measurement or control-loop investigation, drawing on measured variables and sensor characteristics and signal conditioning and data acquisition. You will record findings, justify decisions and check calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
Learning outcomes
- Select a measurement or control approach for a defined variable.
- Configure or analyse a supervised training loop.
- Evaluate response and document a justified adjustment.
Main topics
- Measured variables and sensor characteristics
- Signal conditioning and data acquisition
- Calibration, uncertainty and records
- Feedback, set points and response
- Controllers, interfaces and communication
- Testing, faults and operating limits
Practical task
For Instrumentation For Surveying, prepare a measurement or control-loop investigation in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of calibration evidence, response behaviour and stated operating limits.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Foundations and shared practice
Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management
Study the prevention of harm and the control of quality during vocational work. Practice centres on a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan, drawing on hazard identification and exposure routes and risk assessment and control hierarchy. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Learning outcomes
- Identify hazards and select controls appropriate to the task.
- Follow an agreed safe-work and quality-check procedure.
- Record an incident or defect and recommend corrective action.
Main topics
- Hazard identification and exposure routes
- Risk assessment and control hierarchy
- Safe work preparation and protective equipment
- Environmental impacts and waste handling
- Incident reporting and emergency communication
- Inspection records and corrective action
Practical task
For Safety, Health, Environmental And Quality Management, prepare a task risk assessment, inspection record and improvement plan in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether controls address the identified hazard rather than relying on labels alone.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Workplace Communication
Study clear communication with colleagues, clients and other people affected by a service. Practice centres on a communication portfolio with a service scenario, drawing on purpose, audience and communication channels and listening, questioning and confirmation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Learning outcomes
- Choose language and a channel suited to the audience.
- Prepare an accurate written or spoken service message.
- Respond to feedback while preserving a reliable record.
Main topics
- Purpose, audience and communication channels
- Listening, questioning and confirmation
- Professional correspondence and reports
- Meetings, briefings and presentation
- Difficult conversations and service recovery
- Confidentiality, accessible language and records
Practical task
For Workplace Communication, prepare a communication portfolio with a service scenario in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of accuracy, accessibility, professional tone and completion of follow-up actions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development
Study the use of digital tools to organise information and produce reliable work records. Practice centres on a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files, drawing on files, folders, naming and version control and word-processing layouts and structured documents. You will record findings, justify decisions and check formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
Learning outcomes
- Create and organise files for a defined work task.
- Use a spreadsheet or document tool to process information accurately.
- Check outputs and protect the underlying information.
Main topics
- Files, folders, naming and version control
- Word-processing layouts and structured documents
- Spreadsheet calculations and charts
- Presentation of findings and supporting evidence
- Data entry, validation and checking
- Access controls, backup and responsible information use
Practical task
For Computer Applications For Infrastructure Development, prepare a linked set of documents, calculations and presentation files in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of formula accuracy, consistency, readability and recoverability.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
National Studies
Study the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Study the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a land surveying and geomatics setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records.
Practical integration
Geological Surveying For Engineering Projects
Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving photogrammetry and remote sensing, earthwork survey. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Define a feasible project with clear success criteria.
- Develop and evaluate a response using technical evidence.
- Present the completed project and defend its conclusions.
Main topics
- Project problem, purpose and scope
- Review of relevant technical evidence
- Plan, resources and milestones
- Implementation or structured investigation
- Testing, interpretation and limitations
- Final report, demonstration and reflection
Practical task
Develop a supervised survey and mapping project with a field plan, measurement records, quality checks and a final map.
Assessment
An approved brief, progress evidence, the final output and an individual presentation are assessed against the stated project criteria.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate photogrammetry and remote sensing, earthwork survey within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Develop a supervised survey and mapping project with a field plan, measurement records, quality checks and a final map.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Instructors
