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 Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101694  Advanced Diploma in Public Administration 
ORIGINATOR
Milpark Education (Pty) Ltd 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge and skill that will enable them to exercise the management functions required of a general manager at a middle to senior level in the South African public sector. This qualification also meets the requirements of a specific niche in the labour market, namely that of middle to senior managers in the public sector. It will enable employed public sector managers to dive deep into the field of Public Management, even in cases where prior qualifications were focused on a more generic field.

The aim of this qualification is to provide a learner with a deep understanding of the current systems approaches, thinking, practice, theory and methodology of management practice in the public sector in South Africa.

To this end, the compulsory modules focus on the core areas of management, as applied in the public sector:
  • Strategic management that includes aspects of ethics and governance.
  • Managing public service delivery, which addresses a core need identified by all stakeholders.
  • Introduction to Financial Management.
  • People management in the public sector.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation.

    Furthermore, learners who are in specialist human resources or financial management roles may opt for specialist modules in these fields. There are also electives such as project management, policy formulation and economics that learners whose roles require skills in these areas may elect.

    Rationale:
    There is a dire need for skills development in the public sector in South Africa. Stakeholders agree that the level of service delivery by officials needs to be improved drastically and the Government is continuously making funds available for organised and structured professional development qualifications at all levels of management. It is aimed at individuals who are already employed in this sector and will also address the need for specialisation off a more generic Bachelor's Degree.

    Furthermore, the design of the qualification recognises different contexts and functional roles and as a result, the different needs of middle managers in government. There are electives that focus specifically on the challenges in local, provincial and national government. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL Access: Mature age applicants and applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or previous tertiary education experience, may be considered. However, Recognition of Prior Learning assessment will be considered.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Diploma at Level 6.
    Or
  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree at Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 90 Credits:
  • Strategic Management (with ethics and governance, responsible), 18 Credits.
  • Managing Public Service Delivery (including administrative law), 18 Credits.
  • Introduction to Financial Management, 18 Credits.
  • People Management in the Public Sector (including labour law), 18 Credits.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation, 18 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits (select two modules):
  • Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Project Management in the Public Sector, 15 Credits.
  • Policy Formulation and Implementation, 15 Credits.
  • Public HR Management (for HR Practitioners), 15 Credits.
  • Applied Financial Management (for Financial Managers), 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of strategy, management, finance and human resources to solve complex problems in a public-sector setting.
    2. Act ethically and professionally in the work environment.
    3. Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of policies and plans in a public-sector environment with due regard to the national context.
    4. Develop and communicate recommendations, solutions or arguments, using relevant theoretical and practical perspectives. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Plan, execute and evaluate the strategy at departmental level.
  • Apply appropriate service delivery models and theories to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems applying evidence-based solutions.
  • Apply appropriate people management techniques in order to achieve service delivery objectives in the context of a diverse national context.
  • Analyse applied public finance issues in the South African context.
  • Integrate and apply knowledge of management, finance, human resources and strategy in order solve complex problems in the public-sector context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate insight into the typical ethical dilemmas that are presented in the public sector.
  • Make and motivate ethical decisions, drawing on appropriate ethical values and approaches.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Examine and clarify concepts and issues in relation to overall government strategy, objectives and priorities.
  • Establish desired outcomes for public service delivery.
  • Design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems in order to evaluate governance and enhance the performance of the public sector.
  • Manage public sector processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Research and independently validate and evaluate information for relevance and accuracy in specific context.
  • Formulate and communicate well-formed arguments via methods appropriate to a range of public sector stakeholders.
  • Present recommendations to address a complex problem in a specified context.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including learners, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the student's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

    Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in case studies. Self-and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of a proposal and executing a project. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A study of the public administration qualifications on offer internationally revealed that qualifications and study in the public sector are well articulated worldwide. It is however, difficult to find the exact level for the comparable study for an Advanced Diploma, as positioned on the NQF, as most international universities offer full Bachelor Degrees or basic Certificates at undergraduate Level, and then Postgraduate Degrees consisting of Honours and Master's Degrees. The Advanced Diploma level seem to utilise many of the Postgraduate topics of international qualifications, while covering content at a lower level of complexity.

    The Institute for Development Management is a regional organisation in Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland, established to help the countries meet the management needs. It offers a two-year Diploma in Public Administration and Management which seems to admit students at a lower level, but also aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the nature of government.

    The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration specialises in qualifications in the field of leadership, management and public administration. The Advanced Diploma compares well with their Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration. This qualification covers the principles and practices of public administration, public sector economics, public finance, human resource management, communication and administrative skills and principles of management.

    In Kenya, the Maseno University offers a Diploma in Public Administration to enable students to understand the nature of public administration; to effectively participate in the administration of various sections of the public sector and acquire knowledge that can qualify them to pursue further studies. Modules include Development Administration, Basic Concepts in Government, Leadership and Management, Public Policy Analysis and Project Management.

    In the United Kingdom, public administration qualifications are either at a Bachelor's level, or at a Postgraduate level.

    At a Degree level there are many qualifications in public administration, each covering elements of the Advanced Diploma. A few of these are:
  • De Montfort's Bachelor of Arts (BA) Public Administration and Management.
  • Plymouth University's Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree Public Services.
  • London South Bank University's BA (Hons) in Public Administration and Management.

    An example of a comparable qualification at Postgraduate level, is the University of Nottingham's Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration which covers very similar topics as the Advanced Diploma, namely strategy, managing people, policy analysis, public management and governance and public sector financial management.

    The University of Nebraska, Omaha's College of Public Affairs and Community in the United States of America offers a comparable Graduate Certificate in Public Management that requires an undergraduate degree for admission. The qualification offers a wide variety of electives, allowing students to specialise in their field of employment.

    The Flinders University in Australia offers a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration that is similar in level of complexity and structure. This qualification provides a broad overview of issues in public policy, and management and administration. It has modules focusing on public policy, public management, policy analysis: frameworks, approaches and values, and economics. Students then have to select from a wide range of elective modules, depending on their field of interest or current employment needs. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers only systemic vertical articulation with the following qualification offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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. Milpark Education (Pty) Ltd 


    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.