SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
123241  Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business 
ORIGINATOR
Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0628/24  2024-11-21  2027-11-21 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-11-21   2031-11-21  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business qualification is to equip managers with a qualification that enables not only survival but also to contribute positively to the changing business environment. As the world gears towards the 4th Industrial Revolution(4IR), it has become imperative that managers and business leaders adapt to this rapid digital transformation.
The technological demands of 4IR require a different type of business professional. Traditional management of brick-and-mortar establishments is becoming increasingly irrelevant as most commercial activity is transferring towards an online environment. For organisations to stay competitive it has become imperative to advance their virtual presence and to hire employees to fill digital jobs capitalising on their knowledge and talent in effectively managing social media networks, online promotions, online marketing, big data handling and analytics.

The role of digital has not only forced businesses to adapt to the changing business environment, but all educational institutions are also having to develop and implement relevant programs that cater to the demands of the workforce. Therefore, the purpose of this qualification is to re-equip students with strategic and relevant digital management skills in the fields of supply chain, human resources and other aspects pertaining to the management field.
The qualification seeks to equip the learners for job roles such as:
  • Digital Business Analyst
  • Digital Sales Manager
  • Digital Media Director
  • Digital Strategy and E- Director
    Digital Brand Director all of the above-mentioned roles are required in South African industry as the South African economy transitions to the 4IR.

    Upon completion of this qualification, the qualifying learner will be able:
  • Construct a transformation framework towards becoming a digital enterprise.
  • Evaluate the impact of technological trends on achieving business excellence.
  • Assess data management and business intelligence strategies develop and implement a digital marketing strategy.
  • Evaluate strategies to automate business processes using information systems to improve organisational performance.
  • Critically assess the impact of technology on the human resources function of a digital organisation.

    Rationale:
    South Africa hosted the 28th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town in 2019 under the theme "Shaping Inclusive Growth and Shared Futures in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)" and African countries were advised to engage with the opportunities presented by the 4IR which potentially offers substantial gains in scientific knowledge, human health and economic growth and to vastly improve the lives of humanity.
    4IR has taken importance as the primary driver of the future development of humankind and is defined as the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things, robotics, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence are changing the way humans live and work.

    A significant challenge for the African continent is to generate substantial jobs to match the rapidly growing population. Africa's working-age population is set to grow from one billion in 2019 to 2.4 billion by 2050 and ensuring there are enough jobs is going to be difficult. While technology is promising to drive growth across the continent, there is a danger that it will take away jobs from people, meaning Africa needs to find the right balance between maximising efficiency and creating job opportunities.
    The President, Cyril Ramaphosa has warned South Africans to brace themselves for mass job losses in relation to technology with the implementation of the 4IR. As technology advances, more jobs will be automated, minimising the need for human input. The 2019 unemployment rate released by Statistics South Africa had risen to 29.1 % in the third quarter, the highest it has been since the launch of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey 11 years ago.
    However, these technological changes also bring up new technologies which process information faster, helping to speed up health services improving agricultural outputs and creating new jobs which did not exist 20 years ago.

    The critics hit out at the level of automation, robots and computers performing so many human jobs, because many jobs are disappearing, for example, the South African banking sector is digitising operations in pursuit of ways to lower costs by maximising online banking and minimising face-to-face banking. According to an article by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala from the University of Johannesburg South Africa to benefit from the revolution it must upskill and reskill current employees to ensure they remain relevant in the workplace, bring young people online and reduce the cost of data as mobile prepaid.

    In relation to the research done, it is evident that the Higher Education sector adapts towards the changing needs and demands of industry, as the fourth industrial revolution impacts and disrupts the established traditional business model. The Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business seeks to re-equip students with relevant skills that will enable them to adapt and contribute to the transformations of the digital environment. The programme is not only geared towards re-equipping but also upskilling managers to successfully construct, formulate and implement digital transformation in the workplace. This qualification achieves this holistically by re-designing the core management activities of Transformation, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Business Research towards the digital environment by equipping the student with new, innovative digital strategies, knowledge and constructs that enable success in this challenging environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The institution recognises the importance of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in ensuring that applicants who possess skills acquired through life or work experience and non-formal education are catered for. The RPL assessment will focus on ways of evaluating a person's lifelong experiences (formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

    Recognition of prior learning takes account of:
    Formal study, age, work experience, studies that were undertaken for personal gain/interest, company-based training, industry-based training, working with experts in the field, internships, and life experience.
    Exemption is granted for RPL when in the assessment of the institution's selection committee, the candidate's knowledge and skills correspond to the learning outcomes of the course or specific module for which credit is applied. It is important to remember that the selection committee will focus on the quality and not the quantity of prior learning and/or experience. In keeping with the national imperatives of widening access and in line with the institution's mission, a maximum of 10% of the cohort may be admitted via the alternate admissions route of RPL.
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Level 8.

    Compulsory modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Digital Business Transformation, 20 Credits.
  • Digital Marketing, 20 Credits.
  • Digital Technology, 20 Credits.
  • Digital Human Resource and Talent Management, 20 Credits.
  • Digital Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits.
  • Business Research, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Construct a transformation framework towards becoming a digital enterprise.
    2. Evaluate the impact of technological trends on achieving business excellence.
    3. Assess data management and business intelligence strategies.
    4. Develop and implement a digital marketing strategy.
    5. Evaluate strategies to automate business processes using information systems to improve organisational performance.
    6. Critically assess the impact of technology on the human resources function of a digital organisation.
    7 Construct appropriate digital human resource strategies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
  • Critically discuss the impact of technological trends on achieving business excellence.
  • Develop a digital capability framework for digital enterprises.
  • Assess an organisation's innovation capability.
  • Develop a transformation framework towards becoming a digital enterprise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
  • Apply various models for achieving Information Technology excellence.
  • Evaluate different strategies for developing effective knowledge workers for a digital enterprise.
  • Discuss the role of business data management and strategies for business intelligence management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3.
  • Conduct a comprehensive situational analysis of the digital marketing environment.
  • Apply understanding gained as insight into consumer's digital journeys.
  • Manage a business strategy to influence digital marketing on consumer behaviour.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
  • Implement evaluated online consumer behaviour and its implications for marketing.
  • Refine and automate business processes using information systems to improve organisational performance.
  • Conduct a situational analysis of the digital marketing environment to understand and gain insight into consumers' digital journeys.
  • Assess the influence of digital marketing on consumer behaviour and evaluate online consumer behaviour and its implications for marketing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
  • Refine and automate business processes using information systems to improve organisational performance.
  • Establish and apply a set of principles and guidelines to govern ethical and social issues.
  • Apply strategies for developing effective knowledge workers for a digital enterprise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
  • Analyse information technology hardware and software trends to meet the demands of an evolving marketplace.
  • Apply an organisational framework for security and control of the information system.
  • Examine the utilisation of social media on human resources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
  • Critically discuss the concept of technology-driven performance management systems on human resources.
  • Critically assess the role of agile supply chain management systems to guide choices
  • Design the supply chain and planning strategies based on evaluated Supply Chain Management. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Institution name: The University of Southern Queensland
    Qualification title: Graduate Diploma in Business
    Duration: Eight months

    Entry requirement:
  • Bachelor's degree
    Or
  • A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional work experience at management or supervisory level.

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration is a stepping-stone in developing your strategic leadership and management skills and learners will start their study towards an MBA.
    They will become an operational manager and apply strategic knowledge to a range of real-life contexts through problem-based assessment scenarios.
    Gain a competitive advantage by leveraging your leadership skills to create and execute organisational strategy.
    Learn how to communicate effectively and positively influence internal and external stakeholders. Expand your strategic thinking capabilities and become ready to transition into executive roles within your industry.

    Course Structure
    Modules:
  • Big Data and Visualisation, comparable to Digital Business Transformation
  • Business Administration
  • Business Leadership
  • Crisis Management
  • Sustainable Business

    Similarities:
  • The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and the South African (SA) qualifications both accept learners who have a bachelor's degree in the relevant field.
  • Both qualifications offer similar management and technology-related modules such as Big Data and Visualisation, and Digital Business Transformation.
  • The Graduate Diploma of Business Administration is a stepping-stone in developing your strategic leadership and management skills and learners will start their study towards an MBA.
  • The primary purpose of this qualification is to equip managers with a qualification that enables not only survival but also to contribute positively to the changing business environment.
  • The SA qualification which has advanced knowledge within a systematic and coherent body of knowledge that may include the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills in a new or existing discipline or professional area. cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge.
  • The USQ identify and provides solutions to complex problems, cognitive skills to think critically and to generate and evaluate complex ideas, specialised technical and creative skills in a field of highly skilled and/or professional practice, communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts, communication skills to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.

    Differences:
  • The USQ qualification is offered over eight months, and the SA qualification is offered over twelve months.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution name: The University of Sunderland
    Qualification title: Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing and Analytics
    Duration: One year
    Credits: 120

    Entry requirements:
  • 2:2 degree
    Or
  • Those with extensive business experience may also be considered.

    Purpose/Rationale
    The qualification aims to introduce learners to contemporary marketing theory and practice, emphasising business-based data analysis as central to marketing practice today to provide a credible technical background in Digital Marketing.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Markets and Marketing in the Digital Age.
  • Contemporary Issues in Digital Marketing Analytics.
  • Social media, Analytics and Digital Research.
  • Digital Marketing, comparable to Digital Marketing.
    Similarities:
  • The University of Sunderland (US) and the South African (SA) qualifications both accept learners who have completed a bachelor's degree.
  • Both qualifications share similar modules such as Digital Marketing.
  • The qualification aims to introduce learners to contemporary marketing theory and practice, emphasising business-based data analysis as central to marketing practice today to provide a credible technical background in Digital Marketing.
  • The SA qualification purpose is to re-equip learners with strategic and relevant digital management skills in the fields of supply chain, human resources and other aspects pertaining to the management field.
  • Both qualifications consist of 120 credits and are offered over one year. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Strategy, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Leadership, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Information Systems and Technology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Information and Communication Technology, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Information Technology Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business Leadership, NQF Level 9.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Regent Business School (Pty) Ltd t/a Regent Business School 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.