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 Quality

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111191	Postgraduate Diploma in Quality
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg
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		Project 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
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-08-16	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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Quality is to develop the learner from a production and/or service environment to become a quality professional specialising in quality tools, techniques and projects. The qualifying learner will apply their pragmatic capabilities and proficiencies to decision-making and the management of quality projects. The qualification is designed to intensify the learner's skills and knowledge required for decision-making into sound quality practices. The curriculum will enable the learner competently to employ and integrate evidence-based techniques, practical experience and appropriate skills in an independent manner in conducting and managing research projects and the application of integrated systems.

The management of quality initiatives and decision-making is for the learner to employ appropriate methods of identifying, researching and diagnosing quality management problems as well as to institute an integrated quality management system. The qualification enables learners to assess the environmental influences critically on quality management activities.

Rationale:
The qualification was developed to enable learners to specialise in the management of quality initiatives. The qualification provides learners with a wealth of knowledge skills and competencies of quality tools and techniques to be able to manage research projects and to implement these projects in their respective working environment.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Quality targets persons at all levels of management, as well as those who aspire to these positions and who wish to increase their promotional prospects by acquiring this qualification. Consequently, the qualification will contribute to the development of South African commerce and industry through the provision of quality and professional consultancy services and industry based learner project to assist small, medium and large scale industries to establish sound quality techniques.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied in line with the institutions' policies and guidelines. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment manages RPL according to the university's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment policy:

Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status.

Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures which will be applied by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements.
> Other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF evel.
> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme.
> Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
> Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

A Bachelor degree in Management Services, Operations Management or Quality, NQF Level 7.
Or

An Advanced Diploma in Management Services, Operations Management or Quality, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:

Advanced Project Management, 20 Credits.

Integrated Management Systems, 20 Credits.

Strategic Quality Management, 20 Credits.

Business Enterprise Law, 20 Credits.

Research Project, 40 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Make a significant contribution to an organisation's strategic vision for success.
2. Implement strategic quality management practices in an organisation.
3. Formulate a quality management system in an integrated management system (Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality) context.
4. Design advanced project management scenarios to enhance Quality projects, and deploy project leadership skills.
5. Compare research strategies to produce and collate data, perform rigorous interpretations and disseminate quality information.
6. Argue and address ethical issues based on critical reflections of ethical values within a complex, abstract and integrated quality context.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Assess information for decision-making and control within the quality domain.

Identify and discuss key sources of quality management problems.

Discuss critically the quality service level problems.

Viable solutions must be offered to the quality management problems.

Explain their role in the organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Solve problems of various types within quality-related environments, and strategically evaluate solutions.

Develop critical skills with regards to strategic planning and synthesising results.

Evaluate and assess key principles and processes in the quality management environment and the application of different strategies.

Evaluate the relevant theories of planning, monitoring and control.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Develop and apply the structure of an integrated management framework.

Develop integrated management systems policies.

Conduct a risk analysis.

Formulate an audit process.

Conduct a simulated audit process of integrated systems in an organisational setting.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Correctly apply the six criteria for a useful project selection/screening model.

Critically evaluate the challenges that arise in maintaining an optimal project portfolio for an organisation.

Correctly demonstrate the application of resource management within a multi-project environment.

Produce a final project report.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Effectively collect data and carry out research in a management services area.

Develop a literature review.

Critically evaluate the findings of the research undertaken.

Offer feasible solutions to management service challenges documented during the study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Complete the project timeously, ethically and responsibly.

Provide relevant evidence and display good judgement regarding the time and cost implications of the research study.

Demonstrate an awareness of ethical values in data collection.

Motivate ethical behaviour in pursuing quality strategies and goals.

Integrated Assessment:
The assessment process is governed by the Academic Regulations of the University. There will be at least one assessment opportunity before the final summative assessment for each module.

Formative Assessment:

The modules consist of different forms of formative assessments consisting of project reports, case studies, assignments etc., which will be implemented in each module, depending on the nature of the module. For example, feedback on assignments is returned to the learners within reasonable time, project presentations are scheduled in order for the instructor to provide comments, etc. These progress assessments are done solely by the module instructor. However, the final examination will require the involvement of a suitable external course examiner, who will be requested to approve the module examination paper and mark grading provided by the course instructor. No experiential learning is involved in the programme.

Summative Assessment:
For the modules, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark, which will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module for the Research Report component, two assessors will be required, one will be an internal assessor and the other, an external assessor.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification is compared to the following international qualifications:
Country: New Zealand.
Institution: Massey University.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Quality Systems.

Content:

Quality management and its component aspects (inspection, quality control, assurance and continual improvement.

Contemporary quality thinking and methods including statistical thinking, systems thinking, Business Excellence, lean and six sigma improvement.

The application of management theory to quality systems.

Leadership in the context of modern organisational systems.

Country: United Kingdom (UK):
Institution: University of Portsmouth.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Quality Management.

Content:

Business Transformation through Quality Management.

Total Quality Management and Organisational Behaviour.

Business Operations-the Quality Management Perspective.

Country: UK:
Institution: Sheffield Hallam University.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Total Quality Management.

Content:

This qualification enables professional managers to develop their career potential by enhancing their knowledge and skills in total quality management and organisational excellence.

This qualification is similar to the qualifications offered by the cited international institutions in terms of the outcomes and content of this programme are fairly similar with the qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Services, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Commerce in Operations Management, NQF 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.

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