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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109565  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management 
ORIGINATOR
Sol Plaatje University 
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  Public Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-05-29  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 overall purpose of the qualification is to enable individuals to undertake advanced reflection on the management knowledge and capacity needed to competently function within public sector organisations. This qualification demands high level of integrated theoretical engagement, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of public sector contexts in order to undertake professional management work. The qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of different theories, models and principles associated with Public Management and apply public management knowledge and modes of inquiry to reflect on and solve complex problems or challenges, thereby contributing to the efficient, effectives, responsive and innovative delivery of services. Furthermore, qualifying leaning will have the ability to engage with accountability and ethical issues pertaining to public management and thereby effect change and adaptation of appropriate practices in public institutions. This qualification will also assist learners to work effectively as an individual and as a member of team to solve public management problems, through the appropriate use of relevant resources.

Rationale:
The Postgraduate qualification is interdisciplinary in nature and is directed at building higher level knowledge and expertise for management work of those who are in or seeking to work in professional management positions in public sector organisations. It will enable individuals to undertake advanced inter-disciplinary reflection and engagement for professional and highly skilled work in the public sector context. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has furthermore stipulated that officials and others seeking to enter management positions should ideally have a professional post-graduate professional Degree.

Many serving officials, especially in Provincial Government, Municipalities and Public Entities have discipline specific National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 undergraduate degrees, but do not have the required higher level integrative professional management knowledge and skills. The qualification seeks to facilitate progression from discipline specific knowledge obtained at undergraduate level towards higher level integrative professional knowledge engagement for management and implementation work in the public sector. Many first Degree graduates do not have the required higher level management qualification to enter and function in public service organisations. This gap and the need for appropriate Postgraduate qualifications for professionalisation of the public sector have been defined in the National Development Plan and by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

The effective, efficient and responsive delivery of public service in provinces and across the country is a fundamental imperative for prosperity and equity. Public institutions have been struggling with delivery and management imperatives due to the low levels of skills and the inaccessibility to quality programmes for the enhancement of the capabilities of officials. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In line with the Policy of the University, prospective students, who have substantive experience in Public Sector, together with relevant National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 Certificates will be considered for acceptance.

For admission via RPL learners will be required to demonstrate their suitability either through work experience and/or other prior learning that has taken place. The RPL principle recognise prior learning experiences, as long as the prior learning can be assessed and that credits can be awarded on the basis of the mentioned assessment.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements are:
  • An appropriate Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.
    Or
  • An appropriate Advanced Diploma, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Governance and Accountability, 15 Credits.
  • Policy Making and Analysis, 15 Credits.
  • Public and Development Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Strategy and Innovation, 15 Credits.
  • Public Finance, 15 Credits.
  • Human Resources, 15 Credits.
  • Applied Research Project, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of different theories, models and principles associated with Public Management.
    2. Apply Public Management knowledge and modes of inquiry to reflect on and solve complex problems or challenges, thereby contributing to the efficient, effectives, responsive and innovative delivery of services.
    3. Engage with accountability and ethical issues pertaining to public management and thereby effect change and adaptation of appropriate practices in public institutions.
    4. Deliver accurate, coherent, appropriate documents and presentations, for the purpose of communicating solutions and ideas to all stakeholders in the field of Public Management.
    5. Work effectively as an individual and as a member of team to solve public management problems, through the appropriate use of relevant resources. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Knowledge and information in the field of Public Management is assessed, critically evaluated and engaged with.
  • Theoretical perspectives, models and principles are consistently and accurately applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Relevant knowledge, models and modes of inquiry are chosen to solve public management problems and challenges.
  • Social, political and management problems and challenges are identified, investigated and solved.
  • Implementation and delivery challenges are analysed, diagnosed and solved for the effective, efficient, responsive and innovative delivery of services.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Different modalities for securing public and political accountability are identified and selected for more responsive delivery of public services.
  • Ethics and governance challenges are recognised and suitable solutions are reflected upon and applied to people and practices in public sector institutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Express well thought thorough ideas in a coherent and properly referenced manner with supportive date, information and evidence.
  • The rational for specific solution and the irrelevance of particular approaches or strategies for a given public sector context are identified and communicated.
  • Develop a comprehensive document and presentation for effective communication to a wide range of stakeholders.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate the ability to independently source data and information from a variety of substantive value-add sources.
  • An ability to work with others in teams, appreciate the challenges, differentials skills and attributes of team members.
  • Ability to lead teams in investigating problems and challenges and ensuring overall team performance for effective delivery on specific projects and tasks.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In keeping with the overall learning-centred and knowledge-directed teaching-learning environment of the University, the pedagogical approach on the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management will centre on securing high levels of ownership by participants. This will hence incorporate prior in-depth preparations for contact session by participants. In addition, extensive use would be made of group work and related presentations by participants. Lecturers will have access to teaching case studies for application purposes and establish the link between theory and practice. Contact sessions will also be used to present constructs and ensure that these are understood by participants.

    Actual assessment would be through a combination of group work, individual assignments and tests, and summative examinations after completion of each module.

    In addition, the Applied Research project would serve as a summative overall assessment of capability of each individual. The successful completion of the research component will serve to ensure that the student has the required capabilities for graduation and for progression to a Master's Degree. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia.
    Institution: University of Tasmania.
    Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
    The qualification provides similar modules are as follows: Policy Development, Policy Implementation and Evaluation, Challenges to Governance, Climate Politics and Policy, Special Reading Program, and Government and Public Administration.

    Country: Uganda.
    Institution: The Uganda Technology and Management University.
    Qualification: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration.
    This qualification also has a similar Postgraduate Degree with modules in Public Administration, Public Financial Management, Human Resource Planning and Development, Corporate Governance and Decision-Making, among others.

    The general approach globally is to offer a Master's in Public Management. The first year of such Masters is devoted to course work that is similar to the proposed contents of the Postgraduate Diploma. The second (and third years) are devoted to research. One consequence of linking Masters level research to general content course work is low levels of completion. The Postgraduate Diploma approaches serves to ensure high levels of completion, prior to progression onto a Master's. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Management, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Administration in Public Management, Level 9.
  • Master of Business Administration, 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.
     
    1. Sol Plaatje University 


    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.