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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: |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 103104 | Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Central University of Technology, Free State | ||||
| 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 | EXCO 0324/24 | 2024-07-01 | 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 Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management aims to develop graduates and professionals with advanced entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities required to create, manage, and grow innovative and sustainable enterprises within a dynamic economic environment. The qualification equips learners with applied knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship, opportunity identification, business planning, financial and strategic decision-making, and enterprise leadership. It targets graduates and professionals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds who aspire to start their own ventures, manage entrepreneurial initiatives within organisations, or strengthen their managerial capabilities in existing enterprises. Learners will benefit from the qualification through enhanced entrepreneurial competence, improved managerial effectiveness, and the ability to identify and exploit business opportunities that contribute to personal career advancement, organisational growth, and broader socio-economic development. The qualification provides an academic and professional pathway that prepares learners for advanced entrepreneurial practice and further postgraduate study in entrepreneurship, management, and related disciplines. On successful completion, learners will: A qualified learner will be able to conceptualise and evaluate innovative business opportunities within diverse economic contexts; develop and implement integrated business and venture plans informed by financial, marketing, and strategic considerations; apply entrepreneurial leadership and teamwork skills to manage projects and organisational processes effectively; exercise ethical judgement and responsible decision-making in entrepreneurial and managerial environments; adapt to technological change and manage risk in order to enhance business sustainability and performance; and develop and present an applied entrepreneurial research proposal that addresses real-world business or organisational challenges. Rationale The Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management has been developed to address the growing need for advanced entrepreneurial and managerial competencies required to support enterprise creation, innovation, and sustainable business growth within South Africa's evolving economic environment. The qualification responds to the need for graduates who possess applied entrepreneurial knowledge and the ability to identify opportunities, develop viable business models, and manage enterprises effectively in complex and dynamic markets. Existing management qualifications often emphasise general management theory and do not sufficiently focus on applied entrepreneurial practice and venture development. This qualification therefore provides a focused programme aimed at developing entrepreneurial leadership and venture management capabilities. A review of registered qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) indicates that there is no directly comparable qualification that specifically integrates entrepreneurial management, venture development, and applied entrepreneurial research in this manner. The qualification contributes to addressing sectoral and national priorities related to entrepreneurship development, small enterprise growth, and innovation-driven economic development. The need for such a qualification was identified through engagement with industry stakeholders and organisations involved in enterprise development, including business chambers and enterprise support organisations, which highlighted the demand for graduates capable of establishing and managing sustainable enterprises and entrepreneurial initiatives. The qualification responds to sector needs for competencies in opportunity analysis, business planning, financial management, market strategy, leadership, and innovation. By developing graduates who can initiate and manage entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to organisational growth, the qualification supports job creation, enterprise development, and improved competitiveness within the economy. The programme further contributes to national development priorities by strengthening entrepreneurial capacity and supporting economic participation within both established organisations and emerging enterprises. Typical learners for the qualification include graduates from a range of academic disciplines who seek to develop specialised entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities, as well as individuals aspiring to establish their own businesses or advance their careers within entrepreneurial or managerial roles. The qualification is particularly suited to individuals who wish to strengthen their knowledge and skills in venture creation, business innovation, and strategic enterprise management. Qualifying learners may pursue occupational roles such as business owner or manager, entrepreneurial project manager, operations manager, business consultant, or team leader within small and medium enterprises, start-ups, corporate entrepreneurial units, and community-based development initiatives. The qualification also supports learners who intend to pursue entrepreneurial initiatives within existing organisations or contribute to the development and growth of new ventures. In addition, it provides a pathway for learners who wish to progress to further postgraduate study in management, entrepreneurship, or related disciplines. The development of the qualification involved consultation with relevant stakeholders within the business and enterprise development environment to ensure that the curriculum reflects current industry needs and expectations. Engagements with representatives from enterprise support organisations, industry stakeholders, and academic experts in entrepreneurship and management informed the identification of key competencies required for entrepreneurial leadership and venture development. These consultations contributed to the design of the qualification structure and the inclusion of applied learning components that support the development of entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities. The input received from these stakeholders ensured that the qualification aligns with sector expectations and prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to entrepreneurial activity and organisational development. The Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management forms part of a broader learning and career pathway within the fields of entrepreneurship and management. The qualification typically follows a relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification and prepares learners for advanced professional roles in entrepreneurial and managerial environments. It also provides a vertical articulation pathway to postgraduate studies, such as a master's degree in management, entrepreneurship, or related fields. Within the work environment, the qualification supports career progression for individuals seeking to advance into roles involving enterprise leadership, venture development, project management, or organisational innovation. The qualification therefore contributes to both academic progression and career mobility by enabling learners to deepen their entrepreneurial expertise and progress to higher levels of responsibility within organisations or entrepreneurial ventures. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is administered according to the university's formal RPL policy. RPL provides a mechanism for prospective students who do not fully meet the minimum academic requirements to gain access to the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management by demonstrating equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission into this qualification, as well as advancement within the qualification. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification. RPL for access: Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission into this programme may be considered for admission through RPL. To be considered for admission in the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification. RPL for exemption of modules. RPL applications are submitted to the Assessments and Graduations Unit (AGU), where applicants must complete an RPL application form and submit certified copies of all prior qualifications, along with a comprehensive portfolio of evidence reflecting substantial and relevant workplace or informal learning. Upon verification of completeness by the university's RPL Co-ordinator, the portfolio is forwarded to the Entrepreneurship Development Unit (EDU) for evaluation. The faculty's RPL Committee then assesses the evidence against the specified learning outcomes of the qualification. The assessment may include further interviews, tasks, or assessments if needed. RPL decisions are communicated formally to the applicant, and successful candidates are granted access to the programme in line with the university's policy. RPL can be used to support access to higher, related qualifications, such as a Master's degree (NQF 9), for applicants who may not meet conventional admission criteria but demonstrate significant prior learning and experience. This may include RPL-based admission to a master's by coursework or research. RPL may facilitate movement from the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial to other qualifications at the same NQF level (NQF 8), such as Postgraduate Diplomas or Honours degrees in complementary disciplines (e.g., Public Management, Business Leadership, Project Management). Applicants may be granted subject/module exemptions where appropriate. Candidates can use RPL to access professionally or vocationally oriented programmes outside the original field of study, such as occupationally directed diplomas or sector-specific advanced certificates, based on the breadth of their experiential learning. RPL for advanced standing: An applicant who has already achieved some of the competencies expected for admission to, or progression within the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management may be admitted despite lacking the conventional qualification pathway. In such an instance, the applicant's prior learning, knowledge, skills, and professional experience will be assessed to determine whether they are equivalent to the learning outcomes normally required for admission. This learning may have been acquired through formal studies, workplace experience, professional development, community engagement, short courses, research, or other forms of non-formal and informal learning. RPL for module exemption: Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module. RPL for credit: Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification. Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted. Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT): Where relevant, RPL assessment may result in exemption from some modules, allowing learners to complete the qualification in less time or progress in a related academic or professional pathway. This approach ensures that the university's RPL system not only supports flexible access into the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management but also underpins flexible progression and mobility for lifelong learning within and across HEQSF sub-frameworks, in line with national and institutional policy. Entry Requirements Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 144 Credits.
Compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 144 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Critically evaluate and apply key principles of entrepreneurship and business management to real-world scenarios.
2. Demonstrate the ability to develop viable business ideas and formulate effective business plans. 3. Produce industry-oriented entrepreneurial research proposal. 4. Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and effective communication in entrepreneurial contexts. 5. Apply ethical reasoning and responsible decision-making in the design and management of ventures. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Integrated assessment An integrated approach to assessment is applied, involving different types of continuous assessment such as written tests, individual and/or group assignments. The assessment methods are guided by the purpose of the qualification. Learner competence must be demonstrated through a variety of options which must include formative assessment including, but not limited to, tests, case studies, individual or group problem solving assignments, projects and practical exercises. The intention is to assess learners in the modes in which they are expected to display particular competencies. Summative assessment is conducted to evaluate the learning that has taken place. Summative assessment consists of formal tests and the assessment of a research project. The ratio of formative to summative assessment is 50: 50. Formative Assessment: The first part of the assessment is a continuous formative assessment. It is aimed at determining the student's progress towards attaining the stipulated outcomes. For the taught modules, all assessments involve decision making in a practical business setting. This enables lecturers to achieve integration of assessment, which by definition means to: Formative assessment consists of the following assessments: Summative Assessment: Summative assessment consists of two parts: For the taught modules, continuous assessment consisting of at least two formal tests will be carried out. The assessment will involve decision making in a practical business setting. This enables lecturers to achieve integration of assessment. Finally, for the research project, a summative assessment is conducted where students' ability to use and apply specific methodological skills is evaluated in their critical review of current literature in the subject area and the formulation of a group or individual research proposal. Under the guidance of supervisors, students formulate project proposal. The project may be carried out on individual basis or in groups depending on the enrolled number of students. Summative assessments are conducted continuously, and comprise the following: |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management demonstrates strong international comparability, aligning with best practices and standards observed in leading global programmes.
Country: Australia Institution name: Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Qualification title: Bachelor of Business (Honours) (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) Duration: One year Entry requirements: Purpose: To provide advanced study in entrepreneurship and innovation, developing learners' analytical, theoretical and empirical research capabilities through honours-level engagement with entrepreneurship and innovation topics. The qualification prepares learners for advanced postgraduate study and research-informed professional practice. Qualification structure: Modules: The curriculum is more specialised and research-focused, centred on entrepreneurship and innovation theory, honours research preparation, supervised research, and the completion of an honours research project or dissertation aligned to an approved topic and supervisor. Similarities: Differences: The SA qualification provides Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access, module exemption, and credit recognition, while QUT applies a more selective honours-entry model that requires a relevant major, a minimum GPA, a suitable honours topic, and a proposed supervisor. Country: Finland Institution name: South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (SEFUAS) Qualification title: Bachelor of Business (Honours) (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) Purpose: To provide advanced study in entrepreneurship and innovation, developing learners' analytical, theoretical and empirical research capabilities through honours-level engagement with entrepreneurship and innovation topics. The qualification prepares learners for advanced postgraduate study and research-informed professional practice. Qualification structure Modules: The curriculum is more specialised and research-focused, centred on entrepreneurship and innovation theory, honours research preparation, supervised research, and the completion of an honours research project or dissertation aligned to an approved topic and supervisor. Similarities: Differences: Conclusion on international comparison: The Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurial Management offered by CUT is internationally comparable with advanced entrepreneurship qualifications in Australia and Finland, namely the Bachelor of Business (Honours) (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) at QUT and the Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Startups offered by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied. Across both comparisons, the CUT qualification demonstrates comparability in entry level, advanced entrepreneurship orientation, duration, assessment, and articulation. The CUT qualification's distinctive strengths are its RPL-enabled access, broad managerial and entrepreneurial curriculum, and preparation for applied research. These features align with relevant international best practices and support learner mobility by preparing graduates for further postgraduate study, entrepreneurial practice, and related professional pathways. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| The qualification articulates horizontal, vertical and diagonally.
Horizontal articulation Vertical Articulation Diagonal Articulation |
| 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. |