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: 

Advanced Diploma in Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101206  Advanced Diploma in Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
80141  Bachelor of Technology: Journalism  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  480  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Qualifying learners will be competent to operate efficiently, independently and professionally in a media environment as a specialist journalist, editor or media manager producing critical social, political and economic reportage.

The qualification is part of the Postgraduate study opportunities for Journalism learners. The Postgraduate studies are planned eventually to be at Masters and Doctoral level, of which the qualification is the first step. The qualification is market-related in high demand by both print newspapers and broadcasters.

Rationale:
The qualification has been well supported by both learners and industry. It provides an opportunity for learners of the Diploma in Journalism to advance and upgrade their diplomas, while employed as journalists or other media positions. The qualification is in line with local, regional and national development imperatives, as well as with continental and international imperatives. The qualification is career-oriented, with several job opportunities becoming available with this qualification, in locally, regionally and nationally. A large number of past learners of the BTech qualification hold essential positions in all media in South Africa, including the leading print newspapers and SABC. The need for qualified media personnel is increasing, along with the proliferation of new radio stations and online news outlets. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Journalism, NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • Diploma in Public Relations, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits:
  • Advance Research Methodology, 30 Credits.
  • Specialist Reporting, 60 Credits.
  • Editorial Management, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Operate as a professional journalist to produce in-depth media products in a specialist field, demonstrating understanding of the discourse.
    2. Produce a basic research project.
    3. Apply editorial management techniques. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate mastery of theory, concepts and issues in a specialist media field.
  • Produce complex, contextualised, critically-sources content containing informed commentary and analysis.
  • Write a proposal, identifying the critical questions, scope and method of investigation for a small research study in the field of journalism.
  • Review and synthesise the relevant literature and media, collecting relevant data for a small research study.
  • Apply research tools effectively to produce and present a small research study in the style of an academic dissertation.
  • Use management and financial theory to plan for, produce, manage, promote, position and audit a publication programme from inception to distribution.
  • Use media and marketing research to strategies product development.
  • Demonstrate, discuss and critique, concepts, theory and practice in a specialist field of knowledge according to accepted academic criteria.
  • Synthesise critically evaluated research into media content containing valid commentary and analysis.
  • Define and present a research proposal correctly.
  • Criticise, discuss and present the synthesis of existing literature and media relevant to the research proposal according to academic criteria.
  • Collect and interpret relevant data is in terms of critical literature.
  • Produce and present clear and acceptable communication of the research problem, its investigation, outcomes and recommendations.
  • Present a business plan demonstrating mastery of positioning analysis, financial acumen and marketing strategy.
  • Present a workable plan for daily management of a media product/organisation.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Formative assessment:
  • Written, oral tests and examinations.
  • Continuous evaluation.
  • Multiple-choice tests.
  • Case studies.
  • Open book examinations and tests.
  • Theory exams and tests.
  • Formal year-end examinations (open or closed book).
  • Evaluation of production laboratory practice projects.
  • Interdisciplinary projects.
  • Group projects.
  • Individual projects.
  • Presentations.
  • Demonstrations.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Controlled projects.
  • Research assignments.
  • Panel assessment of year work.
  • Peer assessment of year work.
  • Panel assessment of assignments.
  • Peer assessment of year assignments.
  • Panel assessment of year work.
  • Lecturer assessment of year work, tests, assignments and projects research.
  • Final portfolios. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Diploma ties in with the Graduate Diploma in Journalism (Advanced) as offered at the University of Melbourne. In this Diploma, the main subjects are Research, Ethics and Audio, with electives New Media, Video, Non-fiction, Data Journalism, Investigative Journalism and Media Convergence and Digital Culture. Further studies in these fields may be an option for our learners, although the majority of the topics are covered in the WSU programme. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Relations, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Walter Sisulu University 


    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.