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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109005  Postgraduate Diploma in Management 
ORIGINATOR
The Independent Institute of 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
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 0921/24  2019-02-13  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 primary purpose of this qualification is to enable students and working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research within the management disciplines. It will therefore allow for graduates seeking academic knowledge in the field of management or pursuing a career as a manager within their respective field of specialisation, to master current management related knowledge that will contribute to their ability to be an effective and efficient manager. For those with some academic background in management it also provides an opportunity to extend the scope of their knowledge in the area.

A secondary purpose of the qualification is to equip students to pursue further formal study in the discipline of management. As a result, a research component is included. This research component involves applied projects of limited scope in the field of management. The constrained nature of the research project is appropriate for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 8, and, will enable successful students to consider further Postgraduate study.

This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in order to undertake professional or highly skilled work. The specific skill sets incorporated into this Postgraduate qualification presents a combination that is attractive to prospective employers and adds value to the work place.

This Postgraduate qualification is designed to graduate students with the ability to think critically and act strategically, professionally and ethically which will enable their meaningful contribution to the managerial environment within their respective industry. The qualification design thus facilitates the development of a well-rounded management practitioner. Students have both the relevant theoretical depth and applied skills to further study or to enter the world of work. It is essential for managers to have an understanding and overview of all functional areas of management.

To support the purpose of the programme, the design engages with the following core disciplines within the management discipline:
  • Strategic management and leadership.
  • Contemporary management.
  • Research and analysis.
  • Global business management.

    The design and selection of modules on this Postgraduate Diploma in Management aims to guide and support the development of students with the relevant insights and competencies to conduct situational business research, analyse and strategise around expansion into international territories, apply the relevant financial knowledge and skills to ensure the business is managed ethically, achieve sustainability and profitably through good decision-making techniques which are supported by the various management techniques, and lastly develop leadership skills and characteristics. The qualification is designed to instil the practices of critical thinking, analysing and academic discourse in self-directing the development of a field specific research report.

    The outcomes for this qualification were identified as critical to develop a successful career in Management through providing students with competencies in theoretical and practical application of relevant principles, processes, procedures and research techniques. By understanding processes in the Management context, as well as best practice in the field, students will be able to strategically solve business challenges through informed decision-making. Furthermore, students will be adequately prepared to demonstrate competencies in contributing to the economic well-being of an organisation in a responsible manner.

    Rationale:
    This qualification seeks to enrol students with a first Degree in an appropriate field, including but not limited to Management, or with a Degree and work experience and provide them with current and relevant theoretical knowledge and skills of key management issues, that would enable them to implement or guide sustainable management practices, and that will assist them to contribute to the ongoing profitability in a range of enterprise types.

    Given that management skills are considered scarce and that there is a well-established body of theory and practise in the discipline, this qualification will seek to ensure that students acquire a deep understanding of management as a discipline and its application in the modern national and international context. As a result, they should be able to use the appropriate discourse to formulate, communicate, implement and assess proposals and strategies within the relevant management areas.

    This qualification will enable students to apply a well-rounded strategic knowledge base to professional practice across a broad range of commercial and public structures and entities. Career opportunities, based on chosen electives, for students of this qualification exist as:
  • General Managers.
  • Divisional Managers.
  • Managing Directors.
  • Management Consultant.
  • Departmental Manager.
  • Project Manager.
  • Logistics Manager.
  • Researcher.
  • Entrepreneur.

    This qualification will prepare students to further their Management studies at Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, (HEQSF) Level 9. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process is governed by the relevant institutional policies. RPL processes are programme specific in that the criteria against which evidence of prior learning must be provided are determined by the learning normally assumed to be in place for qualifications at the level concerned in the field concerned. Instruments are only designed when requests are made as they are expensive to design, implement and assess. To date most applications to the institution for RPL of non-formal learning are at the Honours level. The procedure is governed by the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and qualification Completion Policy (IIE010). In addition to RPL, a Credit Accumulation and Transfer mechanism exists for access and advance standing for formal learning from a recognised, registered and accredited institution on a registered and accredited qualification. Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) rules as proposed by national policy are applied-no more than 50% of a completed qualification which cannot represent more than 50% of the target qualification will be awarded.

    If an applicant applies for an RPL admission, the learning assumed to be in place for the programme is assessed against Exit Level Outcomes equivalent to the formal learning required for admission. This would include an evaluation of the content as well as the applicant's cognitive and technical competence. Applicants prepare a portfolio against these stated requirements which is then assessed by a team of experts/academics in line with the policy.

    Recognition is awarded for:
  • Learning, and not for experience per se.
  • Learning that is on the level of the specific level descriptors of the qualification/unit standard.
  • Learning that is in line with applied competence and has a balance between theory and practical application appropriate to the subject or unit standard.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirements for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma are:
  • An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Advanced Diploma in a cognate field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises five (5) compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

    Elective Modules Level 8, 32 Credits (Select 1 bundle, consisting of 2 modules):
  • Project Management, 16 Credits.
  • Change Management, 16 Credits.
    OR
  • Marketing Management, 16 Credits.
  • Retail Management, 16 Credits.
    OR
  • Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
  • Industrial Relations, 16 Credits.
    OR
  • Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
  • Small Business Management, 16 Credits.
    OR
  • Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.
  • Logistics Management, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 8, 94 Credits:
  • Contemporary Management Principles and Practices, 16 Credits.
  • Accounting and Finance for Managers, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 30 Credits.
  • Strategic Management and Leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Global Business Management and Practice, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Critically analyse the contemporary management theories, approaches and practices related to managing continuous change within the current business environment.
    2. Evaluate innovative leadership and management practices in business, considering the implications of leadership and management strategy in the national and international environment.
    3. Analyse the global forces shaping international business from a South African perspective, including globalisation, trade and investment, and international management.
    4. Analyse the financial statements of an organisation, making deductions regarding the income, balance and cash flow statements that could impact the operations of the business.
    5. Report critically and analytically on data collected through primary and secondary research.
    6. Critically evaluate contemporary management approaches implemented within a functional area of management in an organisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Use relevant theoretical approaches to compare the key contemporary management perspectives of a South African business to those of an international business.
  • Analyse the advanced theories of contemporary management, justifying their importance to managers in the business environment.
  • Evaluate the changing contemporary environment of management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Compare the impacts of management and leadership on the implementation of strategy in a business.
  • Critically analyse the theoretical framework and approaches to leadership and management.
  • Evaluate the critical issues in management and leadership development common to both a South African and an international business.
  • Analyse the ways in which leadership strategy is formulated and implemented in a business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Discuss location-specific advantages that will allow a particular business to expand internationally and/or with new partners.
  • Analyse the interdependency of global monetary systems and foreign exchange markets.
  • Formulate a strategy that will enable an organisation to compete in a variety of global business environments.
  • Evaluate operations management in a global business environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply basic accounting techniques for setting up and interpreting financial statements.
  • Review financial statements of an organisation in order to make informed business decisions.
  • Apply the appropriate ratio calculations when making business decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify the criteria for meaningful research.
  • Define a research problem and its purpose, questions and goals.
  • Assess the limitations and delimitations to a field-specific research study.
  • Develop and implement an appropriate research design.
  • Report on secondary research by means of a literature study that argues the research problem.
  • Analyse primary research data to interpret research findings and insights.
  • Write a report that reflects on the research design, providing meaningful recommendations for further research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Analyse the importance of a specific functional area within an organisation.
  • Discuss the impact that functional areas have on the business as a whole.
  • Develop a relevant project implementation plan to resolve challenges or pursue opportunities within a functional area.
  • Recommend improvements for the contemporary management approach of a functional area.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment Methods and Instruments:
    Formative Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment is required so that students are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, tests and an integrated programme portfolio based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative Assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated assessments which test the student's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed. Summative Assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

    Integrated Assessments will be designed to achieve:
  • An integration of the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved.
  • The evaluation of learner performance which can provide evidence of applied competence.
  • Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the students and which can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Both Higher Education Institutions and professional bodies across the world offer qualifications and whilst the proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Management was fully benchmarked against similar programmes at other South African higher education institutions, international comparability is important.

    Countries that operate on the basis of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) similar to the South African system include the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For this reason, benchmarking for this qualification was done by comparing similar qualifications in these countries as well as India. A direct comparison of the title and exit level outcomes was undertaken with each. For example, the qualifications at the following institutions compares well to the postgraduate:
  • The University of Waikato (New Zealand)-Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies.
  • Toi-Ohomai Institute of Technology (New Zealand)-Postgraduate Diploma in Management.
  • Australian Graduates Management Consortium (Australia)-Graduate Diploma in Management.
  • Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia)-Graduate Diploma in Management.
  • Open University (United Kingdom)-Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management.

    The key focus of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management is contemporary management thinking through being innovative and entrepreneurial focused in a local and international context, in order to equip graduates for the global market environment supported by strategic leadership and management as well as become successful managers within organisations. Graduates will also be exposed to the basic financial and accounting concepts in order to interpret financial statements and make sound decisions that are of strategic nature. The International comparison revealed that the Degree is similar in its approach to these qualifications in terms of their focus on research modules/projects and varied topics and themes in the discipline of management. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours in Management.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Strategic Brand Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education.
  • BCom Honours in Business Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and Administration.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Creative Brand Leadership.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA).
  • Master of Business Leadership.
  • Master of Business Management.
  • Master of Commerce (MCom) in Management.
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management.
  • University of Johannesburg-MCom (Strategic Management). 
    		•

    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. The Independent Institute of 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.