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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81986  Postgraduate Diploma in Management 
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
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 
Purpose:

The Postgraduate Diploma: Management enables learners with relevant work experience and appropriate qualifications to further develop their functional and reflective competencies in management, leadership and administration.

The programme aims to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and critical application of specialised qualitative and quantitative issues in management.

The qualification is directed towards learners having relevant work experience and occupying middle and senior management positions and who have completed a Bachelors qualification. It also provides for the accomplishment of research and knowledge management skills.

The Postgraduate Diploma: Management is a post-graduate qualification, which will enable learners to develop in-depth, discipline specific skills and applied competence in the private and public sectors that will provide opportunities for personal intellectual growth, more purposeful employment and making a contribution to society.

The qualification will empower learners to solve problems in a focused way and to effectively manage and allocate resources, to communicate effectively and to contribute to knowledge and socio-economic transformation in a responsible and ethical manner.

The Postgraduate Diploma: Management attempts to provide Southern Africa with skilled persons in the private and public sectors in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic activity is strengthened and diversified.

Rationale:

The Postgraduate Diploma: Business Management:
  • Contributes to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
  • Empowers learners with advanced skills and competencies necessary to function and progress in business environments.
  • Attempts to satisfy the demand for management skills in the public and private sectors.
  • Recognises and caters for the career and economic needs of learners who are in employment.
  • Provides Southern Africa with competent and knowledgeable managers in both the public and private sectors capable of meeting regional challenges. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    This qualification assumes that:
  • The learner is competent in the language of instruction of the programme.
  • The learner is able to work independently.
  • The learner is able to reflect critically and independently on existing knowledge.
  • The learner has obtained general theoretical, practical, professional and academic knowledge and understanding at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

    In the cases where prior learning is to be recognised for purposes of access to the qualification:
  • It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of an examination of their Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Such 'non-standard' candidates will be selected on the recommendation of a senior manager from their organisations/companies.
  • Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess the applicants. Some of the key criteria that will be used in evaluating 'non-standard' applicants include:
    > The applicants' motivation, maturity and realistic approach to their studies.
    > Job description, covering relevant area of work, giving examples of tasks carried out and possibly supplying references.
    > The nature and level of life/work experience and prior study, and the learning which has resulted from such experience.
    > Details of in-company short courses, length, content of material covered and standard achieved.
    > The clarity of the applicant's educational goals and objectives.
    > The extent to which the applicant can provide evidence of the threshold skills and knowledge for the programme.

    Where prior learning is recognized for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the intended programme leads.

    Access to the Qualification:

    The minimum Level of attainment required for entry into this programme is a Bachelors Degree or equivalent qualification provided that the applicant is:
  • 23 years of age or older.
  • Has at least two years of working experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification has 120 credits.

    There are 6 core compulsory modules, with 20 credits each:
  • General Management.
  • Financial Management.
  • Operations and Innovation Management.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Economics.
  • Business Research. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    A learner attaining the Postgraduate Diploma: Management will be able to:
  • Apply quantitative methodologies in making work-based decisions.
  • Apply scientific enquiry and research methods.
  • Utilise technology to solve work-based problems.
  • Display research skills in solving work related problems in the management of a range of organisations.
  • Contribute towards the extension of knowledge in business management, leadership and administration.
  • Display Management and research skills.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve management and commercial problems.
  • Acquire an understanding of how to manage resources and processes in a business context.
  • Contribute to the resolution of socio-economic problems of a developing Southern Africa in an ethical and responsible manner.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • The qualification addresses all the Critical Cross Field Outcomes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to assess the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Appropriate technology is utilised in various communication modes.
  • Technology is utilised to solve work-based problems.
  • Research skills are displayed in solving work related problems.
  • Knowledge acquired in projects is communicated and shared.
  • Management and research skills are displayed in management related disciplines.
  • Management and commercial problems are analysed and solved.
  • Resources and processes in a business context are managed.
  • Ideas and interests are articulated and promoted through effective communication in written modes.
  • The extension of knowledge is contributed towards in Management Sciences through projects.
  • An understanding of socio-economic challenges in Southern Africa is demonstrated.
  • Solutions to problems are proposed.
  • Learning skills to promote life-long learning are demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment centres around:
  • The extent to which the learner has grasped the concepts.
  • The application of theory to a practical context.
  • The methods of research used.
  • A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
  • The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.
  • Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study.
  • These assessment methods include:
    > Case studies.
    > Report writing.
    > Interpretative and analytical problem solving.
    > Work based assignments.

    Assessment is based on:
  • The use of work based assignments.
  • The use of quantitative techniques to solve work based problems and interpretation of their implications on the decision making process.
  • The use of information technology, networks and web browsers to obtain work related information and communicate with peers.
  • The use of research to solve problems.

    Assessment for the Modules:

    The final mark for each module is derived from an assignment and a formal three-hour written examination. The final mark for each module is then computed by taking a weighted average of 40% of the assignment mark and 60% of the examination mark. The student must obtain a sub-minimum of 40% in the written examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and its component modules have been compared with similar qualifications from several countries, as indicated below:

    Asian Countries:
  • The MIT School of Distance Education in Delhi, India offers a Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration comprising nine coursework modules.

    United Kingdom:
  • London Metropolitan University offers a Postgraduate Diploma: Management Studies comprising seven coursework modules and a project.
  • Kingston Business School offers the Postgraduate Diploma: Management Studies, comprising six core modules and two elective modules.

    Australia:
  • Melbourne Business School offers a Postgraduate Diploma: Management Studies comprising eight coursework modules.

    The Outcomes and Assessment Criteria, the degree of complexity and the notional learning time of this qualification have also been benchmarked against similar programmes from Regent Business School's former international partner, the University of Bedfordshire (University of Luton), the University of South Africa, the University of Western Cape and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Attainment of this qualification will enable vertical articulation with all qualifications in the same or related discipline at NQF Level 9 at any other higher education institution. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • External examiners and moderators are appointed to validate the learners' assignments and examinations.
  • A panel of examiners, both internal and external, are appointed to examine all submissions by learners.
  • The Examinations Board is the final decision making body that is responsible for the awarding of the qualification. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To qualify as an assessor an individual must:
  • Have at least a Masters degree.
  • Be appropriately qualified and experienced as an assessor.
  • Have at least three to five years higher education teaching experience.
  • Be a subject matter specialist.
  • Be in the possession of qualifications that are relevant to the programme.

    The following criteria are used for appointing external examiners and moderators:
  • Their experience of examining this programme or its equivalent.
  • Their independence from Regent Business School and from the programme team.
  • Their expertise in the subject area.
  • Their scholastic contribution to the field.
  • External examiners and moderators are required to have a Masters degree. They are also required to have at least three years higher education experience. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    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.