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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Studies and Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102335  Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Studies and Development 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification aims to achieve learning achievement levels specified by the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Specifically:
  • Scope of knowledge: The qualification aims to produce graduates with an integrated understanding of the risk environment in South Africa and Africa, the developmental context generating risk and the implications of disasters for sustainable development. This includes developing foundational competencies in disaster risk studies, physical geography, development studies, sustainable development and planning.
  • Knowledge literacy: The qualification will develop the students' ability to interrogate prevailing theories and good practice, and critically apply an interdisciplinary perspective on disasters and risk.
  • Method and procedure: The qualification will have a strong focus on developing risk assessment capabilities. The module on Community Risk Assessment aims to build the students' theoretical and practical knowledge of different risk and vulnerability assessment methods, and to equip students with the skills to design and undertake appropriate and robust risk assessments.
  • Problem solving: Teaching and assessment will seek to develop the students' ability to engage with theoretical and practical knowledge. This includes students' ability to craft arguments based on critical reading of literature, to identify conditions of environmental endangerment and socioeconomic vulnerability, and to weigh, select, apply and interpret risk and vulnerability assessment methods for specific hazard types, geographic and administrative scales and contexts.
  • Accessing, processing and managing information: Students will be required to source and use literature. The qualification will also begin to build capabilities in the strategic integration of information generated from diverse data sources to determine levels of risk and to inform risk reduction planning.
  • Producing and communicating information: It will also develop the students' ability to develop and communicate arguments through assessed, written papers. As part of the Community Risk Assessment module, they will also be required to consolidate and present the findings of a community risk assessment, both in the form of a written report and oral presentation.
  • Management of learning: The qualification has a strong focus on self-study. The Community Risk Assessment module also aims to teach students to work collaboratively, with one another and with external role-players, such as disaster managers, municipal staff and at-risk communities (while simultaneously developing students' ability to manage processes in unfamiliar contexts). Students will undertake a real-world group project, where they will be expected to engage end-users such as municipal authorities to identify research questions and needs, work together to conduct a community risk assessment, and present the findings of research in written reports which will be compiled in professional, written reports submitted to the relevant end-users.
  • Ethical and professional practice and accountability: The qualification will emphasise the highest ethical standards throughout, including the students' engagement with communities and external role-players. Students will be expected to take responsibility for self-study, and will be held accountable for the integrity of written work and group project.

    On completion of the qualification, students will be able to demonstrate:
  • An understanding of the theoretical foundations of disaster risk studies and the interdisciplinary nature of disaster risk science.
  • knowledge of the risk environment in South (and Southern) Africa, including the nature of disaster risk, the socioeconomic, political, environmental and infrastructural factors driving risk, and the impact of disasters on individuals, communities and broader society.
  • An understanding of the linkages between risk and development, the legislative and developmental context in which risk occurs, and the sectors and role-players that must be involved in reducing risk.
    And
  • An understanding of the principles, tools and methods of community risk assessment and be able to apply these in practice.

    Rationale:
    There is limited systematic scholarship related to disaster risk across Africa. There are numerous higher-education qualifications offered related to earth sciences, environmental science or human geography. However, these do not adequately address the complex, scientific scope of the disaster risk field, which fuses both physical and social science elements. While several institutions focus on practice-oriented qualifications in public administration and/or disaster (risk) management, these foreground practice rather than the integrated science that is necessary to understand contemporary risk processes. In this context, the Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk Studies and Development (DRSD) is distinguished by its explicit emphasis on disaster risk studies (DRS) as a field primarily directed to purposive enquiry, rather than one oriented to practice. The qualification differentiates DRS from disaster (risk) management, which foregrounds practice and implementation, recognising the complementarity and interdependencies of both fields of study.

    To ensure its coherence in an applied context, the qualification is aligned with South Africa's Transformative Disaster Management Policy and Practice. This allows it to advance scholarship on risk and risk reduction in South Africa and in the continent and to produce graduates with interdisciplinary research competencies who are able to study disaster risks relevant to South Africa and beyond. The qualification explicitly fuses context with content and addresses three underpinning imperatives:
  • Disciplinary coherence within geography and environmental studies.
  • Alignment with transformative disaster (risk) management policy and practice.
    And
  • Social responsiveness, particularly to risk environment in the Western Cape.

    The qualification will provide an opportunity for practitioners and graduates from diverse academic backgrounds to obtain a theoretically grounded postgraduate qualification in disaster risk science. It will also serve as a qualification that will allow students with a broader range of Degrees to undertake the Masters in Philosophy (MPhil).

    The African Centre for Disaster Studies at several universities also offer practice-oriented masters qualifications respectively in sustainable development and disaster management that incorporate a DRS lens. However, there are no other South African qualifications courses situated within the disciplinary scope of Geography and Environmental Studies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The qualification makes provision for RPL where prospective students do not meet the stipulated academic criteria. Assessment will follow the university's RPL policy and guidelines.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learner who enrol for this qualification should be in possession of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science qualification (Level 7) in geography, environmental studies, geospatial analysis, agriculture, anthropology, sociology, development studies, public management, town and regional planning. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 90 Credits:
  • Disaster Risk Science and Development, 30 Credits.
  • Community Risk Assessment, 30 Credits.
  • Risk and Development, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits:
  • Environmental Hazards.
  • Critical Theory for Transdisciplinary Research in Health and Development, 30 Credits.
  • History, Politics and Ethics of Health and Development in Africa, 30 Credits.
  • Environmental Governance, 15 Credits.
  • Introduction to Development Planning, 15 Credits.
  • Sustainable Development, 15 Credits.
  • Sustainable Cities, 15 Credits.
  • Community Development, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of the risk environment in South Africa and Africa, the developmental context generating risk and the implications of disasters for sustainable development.
    2. Interrogate prevailing theories and good practice, and critically apply an interdisciplinary perspective on disasters and risk.
    3. Apply different risk and vulnerability assessment methods, design and undertake appropriate and robust risk assessments.
    4. Craft arguments based on critical reading of literature, to identify conditions of environmental endangerment and socioeconomic vulnerability, and to weigh, select, apply and interpret risk and vulnerability assessment methods for specific hazard types, geographic and administrative scales and contexts.
    5. Source, use and integrate information generated from diverse data sources to determine levels of risk and to inform risk reduction planning.
    6. Demonstrate the' ability to develop and communicate arguments through assessed, written papers; consolidate and present the findings of a community risk assessment, both in the form of a written report and oral presentation, taking different disaster risk and development contexts and systems into account, and operate and communicate effectively within such a system, by understanding the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
    7. Work collaboratively with one another and with external role-players, such as disaster managers, municipal staff and at-risk communities managing processes in unfamiliar contexts).
    8. Demonstrate engagement with communities and external role-players. All research will adhere to Stellenbosch University's rigorous ethical clearance processes, while written work will be subject to Stellenbosch University's anti-plagiarism processes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Discuss the theoretical and applied disciplines that define disaster, vulnerability and risk, including hazard science and the applied disciplines of disaster management, disaster loss and humanitarian assistance.
  • Explain the nature, impact and underlying socioeconomic, political, environmental and infrastructural risk factors for frequently occurring disasters in Southern Africa.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to apply an interdisciplinary perspective on disasters and risks, taking into consideration both biophysical elements (hazards), as well as social and economic forces that influence disaster vulnerability and resilience.
  • Discuss the patterns of urban/rural disaster risk in southern Africa.
  • Develop foundational competencies in disaster risk studies, physical geography, development studies, sustainable development and planning.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Discuss the developmental context in South Africa and the region, including particular developmental challenges.
  • Critically comment on key concepts and conceptual frameworks used in exploring and understanding the local developmental context.
  • Discuss planning objectives, challenges and tools.
  • Describe pertinent legislative and funding frameworks relevant to South Africa's developmental realities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of different risk and vulnerability assessment methods for specific hazard types, geographic and administrative scales and contexts.
  • Describe and apply quantitative and qualitative community based risk assessment techniques.
  • Demonstrate the skills required to design and undertake appropriate and robust risk assessments at the community level.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of key environmental processes, concepts and terminology.
  • Identify common natural hazards in South Africa and Africa.
  • Describe the linkages and interaction between hazards and their associated geographical and environmental processes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of social theory concerned with health and development.
  • Think critically about the intersections of health and development, and the challenge of bringing together applied engagements with political, ethical, and critical perspectives.
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to own research interests.
  • Write an analytical paper exploring a set of concepts drawn from the course.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Locate contemporary health and development issues within a historical context.
  • Trace genealogies of global health concepts and techniques in contemporary concerns.
  • Frame analytical questions to pursue through the historical record.
  • Identify conflicting values at stake in health and development qualifications.
  • Communicate what development planning (and town and regional planning) as a discipline and profession entails, and what knowledge, skills and values are required of planners.
  • Communicate the planning and development context of South Africa and other developing countries.
  • Communicate an appreciation for the role planning can and should play in promoting sustainable development and sustainable human settlements.
  • Debate issues of poverty, inequity and social exclusion as phenomena, and possible sustainable development remedies/'solutions' thereto.
  • Communicate in writing the different theoretical planning models and their relevance to planning processes and situations.
  • Communicate the visually the basics of spatial planning and upgrading processes.
  • Communicate in a manner that encourages public or community participation, and expands on the role of civil society, deep and deliberative democracy, participative development, empowerment and conflict management.
  • Use the techniques and tools used by planners to manage urban and rural problems.
  • Communicate the above knowledge, skills and values in group- and individual assignments, focusing on planning processes and the way in which poverty and sustainable development could/should be addressed in planning.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Understand the relationship between global development challenges and how it is affecting local development globally.
  • Understand the theoretical foundation of community (micro) development from a sociological and social anthropological perspective.
  • Understand health as community development challenge.
  • Gain first-hand experience of the community development context at a community health centre (service-learning component).
  • Obtain the skills to conduct a small community-based research study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Understand urbanisation trends across the world with specific reference to their environmental impacts and consequences.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the debates on the rapid growth of slums as a de facto form of settlement and context for livelihood practices by the majority of urban dwellers in the global South.
  • Understand the main dimensions of the urban environmental challenges that accompany rapid processes of urbanisation and slum formation.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the theoretical frameworks/lenses that inform how urban environmental issues are defined, recognised and framed relative to policy responses.
  • Demonstrate awareness of policy tools for urban sustainability.
  • Understand the role of institutions in effective policy design, organisation and implementation.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the relationship between urban infrastructure investment and sustainability.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the relative trade-offs between various categories of infrastructure in relation to broader development imperatives.
  • Understand Cape Town's development from a sustainable city perspective.
  • Understand the importance and complexity of governance systems and relations in urban areas.
  • Understand the political underpinnings of policy options, choices and implementation decisions.
  • Draw linkages between the development of cities in the global South and the conceptual models available.
  • Take responsibility for self-study, and will be held accountable for the integrity of written work and group project.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of environmental policy instruments, governance processes, and institutional frameworks.
  • Show an appreciation for the socio-political contexts within which environmental governance takes place.
  • Describe collaborative environmental management and multi-stakeholder approaches.
  • Think holistically about the interaction between context, structures and processes and its application on case studies in environmental governance.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
    During the course of a semester, students will be assessed in several different ways which will enable ongoing formative assessment by both students and lecturers. For the core, compulsory modules:
  • Students will be expected to complete written assignments for each of the compulsory modules, where students will be expected to critically review and integrate the readings and lecture inputs relevant to each paper.
  • Students will also be required to complete a field-based assignment, where they will be expected to undertake, write-up and present orally a group assignment.

    Summative Assessment
  • A written final examination will be required where students will be expected to apply the knowledge learned to real-world disaster risk and development scenarios. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualification:
    Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk and Resilience offered by Lincoln University, New Zealand.

    Qualification Description:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Disaster Risk & Resilience allows learners from a range of disciplines to gain an integrated understanding of current issues in disaster risk and resilience and will provide the basic skills necessary for entry-level employment in the disasters field.

    Entrance requirements:
    A relevant degree with at least a B- grade average in the 300 level and final year (full-time equivalent) courses.

    Summary of Regulations:
  • Pass 120 credits in total: this includes five compulsory courses (85 credits) and at least two elective courses (worth at least 35 credits).
  • The coherence of the whole programme is assessed by the Director of Studies in Disaster Risk and Resilience.

    Programme Length:
    This is normally a one year qualification (full-time study).

    Compulsory courses:
  • DRRE 401 Introduction to Hazards and Disasters (UC).
  • DRRE 402 Natural Hazard Risk Assessment (UC).
  • HAZM 403 Hazard and Disaster Investigation (UC).
  • ERST 604 Advanced Urban, Regional and Resource Planning.
  • ERST 609 Advanced Risk and Resilience.

    Electives
    At least two of:
  • DRRE 408 GIS for Disaster Risk and Resilience (recommended for learners with no prior GIS experience) (UC)
  • ERST 624 Advanced Professional Planning Methods and Practice
  • MAST 603 Mana Kaitiaki (Maori Resource Management)
  • SOCI 602 Social Science Research Methods (Qualitative)

    Nigeria, Federal University of Technology, Minna offers Postgraduate diploma degree programme in disaster risk management and development studies.

    Admission Requirements:
    Candidates for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma Degree in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies should possess the following requirements:
  • Five 'O' Level credit passes including English and Mathematics and any of Geography, Biology and Agric Science plus any two subjects.
  • Minimum of Third Class Bachelor's Degree in Sciences, Social Sciences, Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Town Planning etc from recognized Institutions.
  • Minimum of Lower Credit pass in Higher National Diploma (HND) with at least 3 years of working experience in relevant fields.
  • Evidence of National Youth Service (NYSC) discharged Certificate or exemption letter.)

    Duration of the Programme:
    The duration of this qualification is a minimum of 18 months (Three Semesters). This is made up of two semesters of course work and one semester of project writing.

    Requirements for Graduation:
    All candidates are expected to take and pass a minimum of 43 units of course work. These must include 22 credit units of compulsory (core) courses, 6 credit units of project work and 15 credit units of electives. The grading system is free fall (i.e. pass mark is graded from A to E while F is a failed grade).

    Postgraduate Diploma in Natural and Disaster Management.
    University of Nairobi, Kenya.

    Degree Description:
    This Postgraduate Diploma qualification is intended to prepare candidates for senior positions in dealing with disasters and thus enhancing opportunities for sustainable development.
    Learners will be exposed to the principles of natural and environmental disasters and their disruptive impacts. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for prevention of disasters and also of recovery from a physical perspective.

    The main objective of this qualification is to provide training and equip those pursuing the diploma to undertake effective planning and management tasks in disaster reduction programmes. The programme will bring into focus the multi-disciplinarily and inter-sectoral nature of disaster management.

    Entry requirements:
  • Common regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in the University of Nairobi and the Faculty of Science shall be applicable.
  • The following shall be eligible for admission: a holder of a first degree of the University of Nairobi or any other recognized institution in any of the following disciplines: architecture, biological sciences, health science, chemistry, engineering, environmental sciences, geography, geology, hydrology, land development, meteorology, physics and urban and regional planning.

    Further information:
  • The minimum duration of the course shall be three semesters and the maximum duration shall be 8 semesters and all courses shall be compulsory.
  • A course unit will consist of 45 contact hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals.
  • The research project shall be regarded as equivalent to four course units.
  • Candidates will be required to participate in weekly departmental seminars.
  • In each semester candidates shall be required to take a minimum of 4 course units.

    Examination regulations:
    The final diploma award shall be Postgraduate Diploma in Natural and Environmental Disaster Management shall be classified into Distinction, Credit or Pass based on the overall average score. The postgraduate diploma shall be graded as follows:
  • Distinction 70 - 100.
  • Credit 60 - 69.
  • Pass 50 - 59.
  • Fail 0 - 49.

    Written Examination:
  • Postgraduate diploma examinations shall be governed by the general regulations for the Diploma in the Faculty of Science.
  • All course units taken in a given semester shall normally be examined at the end of that semester.
  • A candidate for the Postgraduate Diploma shall be required to complete satisfactory all such coursework and assignments that may be required for the end of that semester.
  • Each taught course unit shall be examined by a two-hour written examination.
  • Each course unit shall be graded independently out of 100 marks.
  • The pass mark shall be 50%.
  • The complete assessment of a taught course unit shall consist of continuous assessment tests, coursework or practical assignments and a written examination. The contribution towards the unit aggregate score shall be 40% for coursework and 60% for written examination.
  • A candidate who fails to obtain a pass mark in any course unit may be allowed to re-sit or retake the failed units up to a maximum of two times.
  • A pass obtained by re-sitting a course unit shall be recorded as 50% while that obtained by retaking should be recorded as actual marks obtained out of 100%.
  • A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in the research project at the second re-submission or fails to complete the course within the prescribed period shall be discontinued.
  • This is a one year qualification (full-time study). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Disaster Relief Management, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation
  • Master's Degree Level 9. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.