SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101974	Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance
ORIGINATOR
Monash South Africa
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		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 cultivate understanding, implementation and interpretation of the critical role of corporate governance in business sustainability and economic growth. This qualification will enable learners to appreciate a comprehensive approach to governance in institutions. Graduates will be equipped to understand complex corporate governance challenges and to develop practical solutions to governance problems.

This qualification has a special focus on internal corporate governance and internal corporate governance mechanisms. These mechanisms are utilised by shareholders to mitigate the conflict between managers and shareholders such that firm value is maximized. It focuses on both policy and strategic challenges of managers working with Boards or dealing with governance issues as well as Directors within private and government entities. It aims to equip learners with, and enhance their skills in practicing corporate governance in their places of work. In so doing, this qualification provides an important basis of developing a cadre of highly sought after corporate governance professionals.

On completion of this qualification, qualified learners be prepared to take on governance related positions in their communities and organizations such as government departments, international agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and private sector entities.

This qualification will contribute to social and economic transformation through its development of responsible, ethical and risk conscious members of society. This will especially be the case when learners:

Participate in local, national and global communities as socially responsible citizens.
And

Are culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.

Rationale:
The field of Corporate Governance suffers a dearth of professionals who have a holistic understanding of and formal training in, the intricate and interlinked components constituting sound governance in ethically sustaining public, private and not-for-profit organisations. This dearth, if unaddressed, will continue to contribute to incidents of irresponsible risk, fraud and corruption. A broad-based holistic approach to corporate governance education will contribute to the development of not only highly skilled individuals to champion corporate governance efforts, but also responsible and effective leaders in institutions, the local community and the globe at large.

This qualification will develop capacity in corporate governance which will contribute to the good governance of institutions. Corporate governance education is essential in addressing the relationships between corporations, their stakeholders and the societies in which they function as they are complex and ever changing.

This qualification targets working professionals with various levels of managerial responsibility in South Africa and the rest of the continent, who will all benefit from this qualification. The holistic and unassuming approach of this qualification enables learners to emerge from a wide a range of professional fields.

The qualification is a learning pathway for working professionals in possession of a Bachelor Degree or equivalent qualification registered on Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). It presents opportunities for learners aspiring to elevate their portfolio of governance responsibility in their places of work and opportunities for those who would like to transition from one discipline (especially those that are technical) to another (especially those that are managerial). Learners who successfully complete the qualification might be eligible for acceptance into Master's Degree study (Level 9) in South Africa or elsewhere.

While equipping learners with sound theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of Corporate Governance, this qualification is concerned with the inculcation of values around ethics, morality and responsible conduct in the world of work and in society in general. This is of benefit to the socio-economic sphere as these values are essential in preventing the unnecessary collapse of employing institutions resulting in job creation and predictable returns on investment. The knowledge and skills developed at successful completion of this qualification support government policy development and implementation efforts, and in doing so, it addresses many of the society's problems.

This qualification helps in the achievement of the objectives of the NQF by facilitating access to quality education, training and career paths. It also contributes to the personal development of learners and the social and economic development of the nation.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution adheres to national requirements for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and has an RPL policy and procedures in place. In this context, the learning institution will allow for an educationally appropriate alternative access to this qualification. In so doing, it will recognise the following fundamentals:

Formal learning, such as a course offered by a professional body, enterprise, private educational institution, or by any other accredited provider recognised by Monash South Africa. These may include professional development or on-the job-training.

Experience of approximately three to five years working within the industry will be considered in conjunction with the academic record of the candidate based on the institutional policy of Recognition of Prior Learning.

RPL may also be granted for admission to this qualification, where an applicant's previous non-accredited formal study or informal learning is assessed as equivalent to the prerequisite qualification.

The institution may grant credit for subjects (modules) passed, with satisfactory grades, at other recognized higher education institutions if:

The subject is considered to be equivalent in content and standard to those offered by the Institution.

It is relevant to the planned course/programme of study.
And

The student must still satisfactorily complete at least half the qualification units/modules at this Institution in order to be awarded a Degree.

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry to this qualification is a three (3) year Bachelor's Degree or and Advanced Diploma at level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Ethics and Business Ethics, 15 Credits.

Corporate Governance, 15 Credits.

The Legislative Environment to Corporate Governance, 15 Credits.

Board Matters, 15 Credits.

Leadership, Directors and Officers, 15 Credits.

The Combined Assurance Model, 15 Credits.

Strategy, Stakeholders and Risk, 15 Credits.

Financial, Sustainability and Integrated Reporting, 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply best practice principles in public and private sector governance and leadership.
2. Apply best practice in strategy development aimed at risk and stakeholder management.
3. Take a critical stance on the philosophical foundations of ethics, make ethical decisions in business cases and strategically resolve ethical dilemmas.
4. Examine the notion of governance and the numerous associated concepts, including the Code of Corporate Governance (King III) Report.
5. Appraise the compliance framework of the King III Report.
6. Characterise the relationship between Corporate Governance and legislation.
7. Describe the relationship between corporate governance and board matters.
8. Categorise the functions of audit committees and critically evaluate internal audit and company reports.
9. Critically evaluate the application of the King III recommendations on transparency, accountability and financial sustainability.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Explain the principles of Corporate Governance.

Generate and evaluate points of view on corporate governance.

Describe requirements of the King III Report in aspects of corporate governance.

Explain the dynamic nature of leadership.

Critically evaluate the integration of individual leadership and leadership teams.

Analyse the relevance of Boards of Directors' leadership as regards the future of the economy.

Identify the relevance of Boards of Directors' leadership to increased ethical (value based) future business practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify key performance indicators in the stakeholder disclosure process.

Illustrate the importance of internal controls.

Explain the difference between risk governance and risk management.

Critically evaluate the risk management process.

Analyse the business rescue process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Compare and contrast global value systems to the value systems in South Africa.

Demonstrate an understanding of macro-ethics.

Implement the Rational Interaction for Moral Sensitivity (RIMS) strategy for resolving ethical dilemmas.

Critically evaluate the philosophical foundations of ethics. Apply the four steps of ethical decision making to business cases.

Manage an ethical scenario by determining ethical risk; codifying ethical standards; develop a plan for institutionalising ethics; reporting and disclosing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Analyse corporate governance issues in company reports.

Analyse the corporate governance scoreboard.

Understand terms of reference of a social and ethics committee.

Align the Companies Act and the King III report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Elaborate on the relationship between corporate governance and the law.

Assess the Code of Corporate Governance in South Africa.

Illuminate key aspects and values of the King III Report as well as new developments in this regard.

Apply the King III principles of Corporate Governance to a prescribed case study or work situation.

Evaluate the business environment, business performance, survival and success as well as business opportunities in prescribed case studies.

Examine corporate control, shareholder engagement and activism.

Design a model for sound Corporate Governance practice and develop an implementation plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Describe the relationship between Corporate Governance and legislation.

Formulate a viewpoint on corporate governance and evaluate alternative viewpoints.

Discuss the integration of Corporate Governance with law.

Compare and contrast governance in the public sector and not-for-profit sectors.

Make a case for governance in small and medium entities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Explain the power of the Board.

Identify the components of a good Board.

Analyse the conduct of the Board.

Evaluate the conduct of Directors.

Critically evaluate the composition of the Board.

Develop a checklist to assess accountability, independence and remuneration of the Board. according to the recommendation of the Kind III Report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Explain the functions of audit committees.

Critically evaluate internal audit processes.

Analyse the various forms of assurance in company reports.

Identify challenges in external audit processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

Identify the costs of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Critically evaluate the application of the King recommendations on transparency and accountability.

Analyse financial statements.

Explain issues in financial sustainability.

Integrated Assessment:
Leaners enrolled in this qualification will be assessed simultaneously on theoretical and practical components. Formative and summative assessment methods will be employed by the assessor to evaluate combinations of competencies that ate practical, applied, foundational and reflective.

Integrated assessment is appropriately incorporated into this qualification to ensure attainment of the programme purpose. The curriculum design is coherent.

Assessments in this qualification include portfolios of continuous reflection, written assignments, case studies, presentations, peer evaluation and a range of online mediated assignments. The qualification coordinator will ensure that assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In Australia, the Governance Institute of Australia offers a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance. This is a Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited part-time qualification, targeting professionals in corporate governance roles of employment. This qualification is the only applied course in governance with higher education accreditation in Australia.

Conclusion:
This qualification is unique in that it addresses corporate governance in the public, private and not-for profit sectors. This approach applies to this qualification.

In England, the International Compliance Association offers a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance. This is a one-year Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) accredited advanced qualification targeting senior industry professionals. This programme is endorsed by the British Bankers Association. This qualification focusses on the development of professionals on the basis of drawing from their experience and as such uses blended modes of learning and assessment.

Conclusion:
This application for the Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance features blended pedagogy as best practice for education in the field.

In Kenya, the KCA University offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance. This a one year part-time comprehensive qualification targeting learners at all levels of corporate governance experience. This qualification is a broad-based approach to governance, covering issues in strategy, ethics and corporate social responsibility among others.

Conclusion:
These qualifications take a similar broad-based approach to governance, covering issues in strategy, ethics and corporate social responsibility among others. This application for the Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance takes a similar broad-based approach to its content.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables articulation possibilities with the following qualifications:

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in a related field of study, Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

A Master's Degree, Level 9.

NOTES

The accreditation of this qualification was transferred from Monash SA to the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) in November 2018.

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.	The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd