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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Applied Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104524  Advanced Diploma in Applied Management 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
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  Generic Management 
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
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 competencies captured in this qualification will enable the students to further develop their functional and reflective understanding of business management.

The intention of the qualification is to enhance and enrich the knowledge and skills that are required in all sub-sectors of management; to release the potential of people; and to provide opportunities for people to move up the value chain and between the different sectors of the economy. It is particularly suitable for continuing professional development.

The qualification should produce knowledgeable, intellectually skilled individuals who are able to contribute to improved productivity and efficiency within the organisation. It should provide the means for current individuals in the general management field to receive recognition of prior learning and to upgrade their skills and knowledge base.

The qualification is structured in such a way that it exposes individuals to a set of core competences to give a broad understanding of general and public management. The electives allow for a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology.

Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma in Applied Management is qualification is designed to provide the learners with a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in the field of general management. It provides intellectual enrichment and enhances flexibility in the light of changing circumstances.

The qualification is offered in contact mode on part-time basis. As a force contributing to social and economic development, part-time study is fast becoming an accepted and indispensable part of the mainstream of educational systems in both developed and developing countries, with particular emphasis for the latter. Part-time learning freeing learners from the constraints of time and place, and offering flexible learning opportunities to individuals and groups of learners. Part-time learning is one of the most rapidly growing fields of education, and its potential impact on all education delivery systems has been greatly accentuated through the development of Internet-based information technologies, and in particular the World Wide Web. For part-time learning context and the importance of this mode of learning is paramount in our endeavour to meet the needs of working learners.

Investing in education is critical to economic and social development in Africa, especially in providing Africans with greater opportunities for personal and collective advancement. The Programme for the Transformation on Higher Education: Education White Paper 3 (Department of Education, 1997) is very clear with regard to the importance of training effective managers, especially with the view of addressing the imbalances of the past-the following are direct quotes from the document): "There is a chronic mismatch between the output of higher education and the needs of a modernizing economy. In particular, there is a shortage of highly trained learners in fields such as science, engineering, technology and commerce (largely as a result of discriminatory practices that have limited the access of black and women learners), and this has been detrimental to social and economic development." "higher education must provide education and training to develop the skills and innovations necessary for national development and successful participation in the global economy." "Human resource development: The mobilisation of human talent and potential through lifelong learning to contribute to the social, economic, cultural and intellectual life of a rapidly changing society." "Production, acquisition and application of new knowledge: national growth and competitiveness is dependent on continuous technological improvement and innovation, driven by a well-organised, vibrant research and development system which integrates the research and training capacity of higher education with the needs of industry and of social reconstruction." There is a clearly defined goal to further the development of managers and management on national level. Southern Business School, as a provider of open distance learning, focuses especially on national needs and, in line with our mission statement, specifically on the need for quality, accessible, and recognised education in the field of management.

The qualification is intended to contribute to solving some of the regional and national challenges in terms of skills shortages through the intensive programme of study in the area of applied business management. Learners will have a sound understanding of the dynamic environment in which managers operate, enabling them to apply that knowledge at organisational and strategic levels in a range of industries and organisations. Undertake a significant industry-based research project. The program is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in the academic theory underpinning the main principles of Management. Further, the Programme contributes to regional and national goals in a variety of ways, including: Broadening access to higher education; Recognition of Prior Learning; and inclusion of certain generic competencies; inclusion of certain specific management competencies such as monitoring and evaluation, Project management process etc; ensuring that students will be employable on graduation, but at the same time will have the knowledge base to continue with further learning such as to proceed to higher degrees including Post learners Diploma in Business management or Post learners Diploma in should they so wish. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access with success is the underlying principle embraced. Since there are no serious selection criteria the access in principle is wide open. The current Bachelor of Technology (BTech): Business Administration is very popular and a continuation is expected.

RPL of students will be conducted in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution. A functional system for RPL is in place at the Central University of Technology (CUT) where RPL is used as a mechanism to gain access to programmes.

RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The candidates are required to complete an RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the Department of Business Support Studies for assessment. The faculty's RPL committee assesses the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirements for the Advance Diploma in Applied Management is a:
  • Diploma at Level 6, or equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 7, totalling 144 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 7, 144 Credits:
  • Management Fundamentals for First Line Managers, 12 Credits.
  • Project Management Fundamentals, 12 Credits.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Fundamentals, 12 Credits.
  • Procurement Management, 12 Credits.
  • Strategic Management, 12 Credits.
  • Quantitative techniques and basic financial analysis tools, 12 Credits.
  • Supply Chain Management, 12 Credits.
  • International Management, 12 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship principles and practices, 12 Credits.
  • Responsible Business Practice,12 Credits.
  • Research skills-Compulsory, 12 Credits.
  • Industry Project, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understanding a variety of business concepts, processes and procedures relevant to public and private organisations.
    2. Selecting and applying a range of quantitative methods and techniques to resolve business problems and in making business decisions.
    3. Demonstrate ability to integrate and apply various practices in the field of management.
    4. Lead a business with integrity and in a sustainable manner.
    5. Lead a business in a multi-cultural setting.
    6. Develop the entrepreneurial mind-set; gain a good understanding of how to run a business in an entrepreneurial manner; be able to identify opportunities, solve problems and achieve business objectives and develop the ability to analyse the socio-economic challenges of South Africa and the role that entrepreneurship plays in solving socioeconomic problems.
    7. Managing procurement of goods and the provision of services while achieving organisational goals through being efficient and effective; gain a good understanding supply chains and supply chain management.
    8. Demonstrate understanding of basic research skills and how to use it to collect basic information for business decision making; select and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
    9. Integrate knowledge of all the modules studied into solving an industry problem within a specified time. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate understanding of how to use business concepts, processes and procedures to manage a public or private organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Solve hypothetical business problems using quantitative techniques.
  • Translate a given management or business problem into a research problem.
  • Formulate research questions based on a given research problem.
  • Formulate research design appropriate for investigating a particular management research problem.
  • Apply research skills in an integrated manner in the business management context.
  • Transfer knowledge acquired into practice through effective communication.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Use strategic management; project management; monitoring and evaluation and quantitative techniques etc. in an integrative manner in managing business processes and resources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Discuss the key sustainability challenges shaping the way businesses operate in today's business environment.
  • Explain how progressive businesses are responding to them in terms of mind-set, leadership in managing their social, environmental and economic impacts.
  • Evaluate how business action can be best configured to promote responsible and sustainable business strategies and how organisational action can be aligned to promote ethical, responsible and sustainable values.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Explain the concept of culture and its importance in international business.
  • Explain how cross-cultural issues impact upon the management of business functions across national borders.
  • Apply theories of culture in international business contexts.
  • Identify and explain high-performance people management practices in an organisation.
  • Explain performance contracting, reviews and balanced feedback in creating and maintaining a culture of performance.
  • Describe and apply talent management practices in recruiting and retaining high-talented people.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Explain the role of entrepreneurship in value creation and value capturing in the economy.
  • Evaluate the role of entrepreneurship in socio economic development.
  • Describe the key entrepreneurial characteristics.
  • Distinguish the critical elements in entrepreneurial start-up firms, including opportunity finding or creation, selection, the business case, business planning, funding sources and pitching, resourcing and Start-up.
  • Apply the steps required to formalise and establish an entrepreneurial business, identify and deal with obstacles.
  • Explain the nature of and conditions for entrepreneurship.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Apply the fundamentals of operations strategy and to apply them to given organisational setting.
  • Evaluate operations performance objectives and how they are integrated with operations strategy.
  • Apply the principles of capacity strategy and its linkages to key capacity decisions.
  • Explain the role of supply strategy in managing relationships with suppliers and apply them to given organisational setting.
  • Explain the principles of sustainable supply chain and apply them to given organisation.
  • Explain the differences between managing large breakthrough improvement and managing continuous improvement.
  • Evaluate the impact of operations strategy on the development of new products and services.
  • Describe the key issues that need to be considered when designing and implementing monitoring and control systems in organisations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Demonstrate understanding of a range of research methods of enquiry in the management field, and practice, and their suitability to specific investigations.
  • Demonstrate ability to identify analyses, critically reflect on and address management problems.
  • Demonstrate ability apply evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments to solving management problems.
  • Apply appropriate processes of information gathering for the managerial context.
  • Independently validate the sources of information, and evaluate and manage the information.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Apply a range of quantitative and strategic management methods to resolve industry problems.
  • Demonstrate ability to apply a range of quantitative and strategic management methods to resolve problems or introduce change within the middle management practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All work and assessment are required to preferably start with situations and required decisions in an industrial setting. Such practices enable the programme and its lecturers to achieve the required integration of assessment which by definition means to:
  • Treat a number of outcomes together.
  • Treat a number of assessment criteria together.
  • Promote an awareness of the connections and relationships between the knowledge, processes and skills inside the different modules.
  • Practice a combination of assessment methods and instruments used to achieve outcome/outcomes.
  • Collect naturally occurring evidence (such as in the workplace setting). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Comparability:
    The Advanced Diploma in Applied Management was developed after careful insight from the programs run by international universities. Although the nomenclature of qualifications is not the same, this qualification compares favourably with similar Level 7 qualifications offered by the following international institutions.

    Swinburne-Australia:
    Name of qualification: Learners Certificate of Management Studies.

    Purpose of the qualification:
    The Learners Certificate of Management Studies gives students a fundamental grounding in business and management subject areas, demonstrating the integrated nature of business management, developing their research, analytical, critical thinking and presentation skills.

    Duration:
    6 months full-time or 1 year part-time.

    Entry requirements:
    A recognised bachelor degree as well as three years of relevant work experience.

    Articulation:
    Learners Diploma of Management Studies.

    Exit Level Outcomes:
    At completion of the Learners Certificate of Management Studies, learners will be able to:
    Apply coherent and developed knowledge of management concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.

    Apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with reference to established frameworks.

    Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a diverse team and use the basic tools and practices of management within project work.

    Demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a developing awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context.

    Content of course:
  • ECO60003 Managerial Economics.

    Understanding economic principles is an essential skill for competitive advantage. This unit provides the core concepts of price theory and microeconomics for professional managers. It provides students with the knowledge of rational micro- and macro- frameworks that are necessary for understanding how the economy works and the rationale for government intervention.
  • ENT60005 Creativity and Innovation.

    This unit combines theory and experiential assignments to introduce the principles of creativity and innovation. It examines areas including the role of innovation for growth and wealth creation, effective innovation processes and the associated management issues. Students will apply a number of practical tools to aid the creative process.
  • MGT60031 Managing in a Complex World.

    This unit provides a broad understanding of the management role and its significance in enabling organisations to operate effectively within a fast paced, increasingly complex and diverse global environment. It pays particular attention to current trends and pressures for change on managerial responsibilities. The management role will be examined from the perspective of direction-setting, decision-making and strategic planning; the organising role covering structure and design, communications and information technology, human resource management and the management of change and innovation; the leadership role covering the basics of organisational behaviour, group and team dynamics, motivation and leadership styles; and the controlling or performance management function introducing operations and value chain management.
  • ORG60001 Leading.

    This unit aims to provide a strong insight into and experience of leading, following and working in cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. It entails an understanding and experience of teamwork as the key to working with the complexity of contemporary business and enterprise, whether global or local.

    Otago Polytechnic - New Zealand.

    Name of qualification: Learners Diploma in Applied Management.

    Purpose of the qualification:
    Learners will have a sound understanding of the dynamic environment in which managers operate, enabling them to apply that knowledge at organisational and strategic levels in a range of industries and organisations. Undertake a significant industry-based research project enabling you to gain vital practical.

    Duration:
    One year full-time.

    Entry requirements:
    A Bachelor's Degree in any discipline Or equivalent skills/experience.

    Articulation:
    Post-Learners Diploma in Applied Management.

    Exit Level Outcomes:
    No information provided.

    Content of course:
  • Applied Management (Level 6).
  • Research Methodology (Level 6).
  • Paper of choice (Level 6).
  • Papers of choice x2 (Level 7).
  • Industry Project (Level 7).

    If you have already studied Research Methodology, you will substitute this for another paper at Level 6. If you wish to study a Learners Diploma with a major, you will study the three papers at Level 6 and the two papers at Level 7 for the major and the Industry Project. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Any cognate Degree at Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Any cognate Postgraduate Diploma or honours at 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. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    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.