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 Information Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111504  Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Information Studies 
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  2021-07-01  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 purpose of this qualification is to train and equip candidates with skills and knowledge to identify, select, organise, capture and disseminate relevant information to society and the organisations based on their needs. Addressing the national priority of the creation of jobs and sustainable livelihoods, this qualification contributes to Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national, provincial, and local government structures in successfully implementing basic service delivery programmes.
Upon completion, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
  • Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
  • Provide library and information user services.
  • Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
  • Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
  • Manage routine Records and Archives support services.

    Rationale:
    This qualification aimed at providing candidates who hold a Bachelor's Degree in any field, with a career qualification in Library and Information Science. The qualification intends to equip learners with knowledge and skills to deal with the problem of information overload, organise information for easy retrieval based on the needs of their users, and ensure that the right information is made available at the right time for the right purpose. Typically, employment will be found in the public service sector in libraries, but opportunities are available in organisations in various sectors that require research and information handling and retrieval. Information is regarded as one of the key resources that can help any society and organisations to develop and compete with the world. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Information Studies: Education, Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Library and Information Studies, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • User Services and Marketing in Library & Information Science (Lis), 12 Credits.
  • Information Management and Databases, 12 Credits.
  • Cataloguing and Classification, 12 Credits.
  • Management and Administration of Lis, 12 Credits.
  • Information Society and Development, 12 Credits.
  • Libraries and Collection Management, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting Services, 12 Credits.
  • Information Systems Management and Automation, 12 Credits.
  • Research in LIS, 16 Credits.
  • Lis Fieldwork, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and application of Information Studies.
    2. Interrogate multiple sources of knowledge in Information Studies and evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
    3. Selecting, applying or transferring appropriate standard procedures, processes or techniques in Information Studies.
    4. Ability to solve problems in information studies.
    5. Demonstrate professional practice and awareness of ethical appropriateness. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Provide library and information user services.
  • Explain the factors that contribute to growth of knowledge.
  • Show knowledge and skills of the practical application of List of Subject Headings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
  • Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
  • Appreciate the relevance of indigenous knowledge systems in society.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
  • Manage routine Records and Archives support services.
  • Explain the principles and procedures followed in selecting information sources.
  • Describe procedures in the publishing industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
  • Identify problems in IS development, discuss their underlying causes and propose solutions.
  • Identify and recognise information problems and needs of the individual/society, in particular those living in developing and underdeveloped countries.
  • Propose solutions to information problems faced by impoverished communities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify ethical and legal issues related to information.
  • Appraise the wider ethical issues associated with Information Studies (IS) development and discuss their implications for computers and computerised information.

    Integrated Assessment.
    Integrated assessment practices in this qualification are aligned to the qualification modular and exit level outcomes, and core focus areas. Assessment takes place across exit level outcomes, which include the ability to:
  • Identify and acquire information and information source and services.
  • Manage library and information services, and manage archival materials and records.
  • Provide library and information user services.
  • Develop library and information technical and maintenance support services.
  • Justify and analyse a range of data collection procedures.
  • Manage routine Records and Archives support services.

    Both formative and summative assessments are used with a 60:40 weighting respectively. A combination of tests, assignments and presentations are used to prepare the learners formatively while theoretical exams are used summatively. In the case of Research, a research report is assessed and for Work Integrated Learning monthly reports are formatively used while a supervisor report is summatively evaluated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification was compared to three Graduate Diplomas in Information Studies, as indicated forthwith:
    The University College in Dublin, Ireland, offers a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies that allows learners access to a wide range of careers in libraries and the information industry. It has an inter-disciplinary content, spanning both theory and practice and is open to Graduates of all disciplines. Core subjects include Organising of Information, Cataloguing and Metadata, Information and Reference Services, Foundations of Information Studies, Research Methods, and, Research Theory and Practice.

    Curtin University in Australia offers a Graduate Diploma in Information and Library Studies that prepares candidates for a career in librarianship. It offers an opportunity for those who have completed an Undergraduate Degree in another discipline to develop an understanding of the theory and principles of librarianship. Topics covered in the course include collection development, reference services, resource description, management of library and information services, and technologies for information services. Additionally, candidates must complete a practicum placement within a library or an information centre during a semester break as a requirement of the course.

    Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies (PGDip IS). Candidates who hold a Bachelor's Degree may apply for admission and topics in the qualification include the Information Professions, Management in Information Services, Information Policy Concepts, Issues and Processes, Information Access and Use, Creating and Managing Metadata. In addition, three electives may be taken or specialisation may be achieved by taking the following subject combinations: Specialisation in Archives and Record Management (Archival Systems, and, Managing Current Records) or Specialisation in Library Science (Digital Technologies for Information Professionals, and Management of Library Services). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Information Studies, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Library and Information Studies Honours, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Information Studies, 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.
     
    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.