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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Quality 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112245  Advanced 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
Advanced Diploma  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-18  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 Advanced Diploma in Quality is to prepare learners from production and service environment to become a quality practitioner, specialising in quality tools and techniques. The qualifying learner will apply a body of knowledge, skills and applied competencies of quality and quality principles, tools and techniques to implement, maintain and improve quality in their respective working environment. The qualification is intended to develop a qualifying learner who is proficient in the knowledge, attitudes, insight, and skills required for quality management. The proposed curriculum will enable the learner to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, and appropriate skills in an independent manner in a variety of settings.

Rationale:
To ensure continued articulation, the institution developed this qualification, given the dramatic changes that have occurred within the business sector over the last decade. The shortage of persons both in the public and private sectors with the requisite management knowledge and skills to execute their duties efficiently and effectively presented an ideal opportunity to develop a new and more relevant curriculum. Therefore, this qualification has been designed to equip learners that come from either the production or service environment (both public and private sector), to become a quality practitioner specialising in quality technologies and methodologies. The target market for the qualification is persons in junior/middle management position, as well as, those who aspire to these positions and who wish to increase promotional prospects by acquiring this qualification. Consequently, this contributes towards the development of the business sector in the form of provision of quality and professional consultancy services. Industry based learner projects have been included to assist small to medium scale industries to establish sound quality techniques.

The qualification has therefore been designed to enrich learners' body of knowledge with critical skills and abilities needed in today's industry in the field of quality management with particular emphasis on quality management techniques, research methods, and quality tools. The qualification enhances the learner's knowledge and develops applied competence in understanding research processes, principles, and, therefore, it further develops the research and professional skills of the learner, which includes analysis and interpretation of the research findings. The qualification prepares learners to meaningfully contribute to an organisation's quality systems as well as acquisition, utilisation, and development of quality tools and techniques. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be applied in line with the institutions' policies and guidelines. The institution accepts RPL as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and will, therefore, endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The RPL policy will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification:
  • Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
  • Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Operations Management, NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • Diploma in Management Services, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Statistical Quality Techniques, 12 Credits.
  • Quality Planning and Implementation, 12 Credits.
  • Quality Management Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
  • Continual Quality Improvement, 16 Credits.
  • Quality Auditing Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Quality Techniques, 16 Credits.
  • Project Management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Implement a quality management system.
    2. Apply relevant quality principles to resolve problems and to introduce change within a quality system.
    3. Use resources with limited accountability for the decisions and actions of others in varied and inappropriate quality contexts.
    4. Act ethically and professionally within a quality improvement team context as well as individually.
    5. Facilitate collaborative learning processes and continued development.
    6. Apply quality management standards, statutory and regulatory requirements.
    7. Develop research projects to manage quality data within a familiar quality context through the application of research methods. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Discuss quality management terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules, definitions, standards, requirements correctly.
  • Explain quality theories and principles in the context of a quality system.
  • Interpret applications and theories of quality systems, statistics, and quality auditing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Interpret the principles of auditing, statistics, quality, and the methods to address challenges pertaining a quality system.
  • Conduct simulated opening meeting, quality auditing procedures, and closing meetings.
  • Apply statistical quality control with the aid of process control charts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Produce well-defined arguments to solve quality-related problems.
  • Use quality principle-driven arguments to take full responsibility for decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Portray leadership abilities within a team context by conducting group activities that address communication skills, interpersonal skills, conflict handling, decision making.
  • Identify appropriate ethical values and approaches within a quality environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify learning needs in a self-directed manner.
  • Develop group activities involving knowledge sharing through a collaborative effort.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Explain systems requirement comprehensively.
  • Use quality-driven arguments to sustain and improve the quality system.
  • Integrate quality management system with other associate standards.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Maintain appropriate processes of data gathering.
  • Validate the source independently, evaluate and disseminate information, and communicating ideas and opinions in well-formulated arguments.
  • Report on research findings accurately.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
  • Project reports, case studies, assignments.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: United State of America.
  • Institution: Wright State University.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science in Organisational Leadership.
  • The Bachelor of Science in organisational leadership degree is similar to the proposed model of the Advanced Diploma in Management Services, focusing on leadership theory and practice, furthermore combining communication and administrative skills.
  • Country: United Kingdom.
  • Institution: University of Leeds.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Administration Management (Industrial).
  • The Bachelor of Administration Management (industrial) is four qualifications whereby year three is on work placement, and the qualification focuses on main management disciplines. UJ offers a three-year Diploma (year 3 is also work-integrated learning), and the one-year advanced Diploma is offered in the four-years which provides modules similar to Bachelor of Administration Management (industrial) presented at the University of Leeds.
  • Country: United Kingdom.
  • Institution: University of Cumbria.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Administration (Hons) Business Management.
  • The University of Cumbria offer the same basic curriculum in light of, Organisational behaviours, a pillar for organisational effectiveness in the use of learning techniques and qualifications for organisation development interventions' methods. Also, change management accommodates people leadership theories and change process. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management Services, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Operations Management, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Quality, 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.
     
    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.