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 Business Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112248  Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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  2019-09-18  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 Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management is to strengthen and deepen the learners' knowledge and to develop applied competence in understanding, analysing, interpreting current thinking, practice, and research methods in the area of Business Management. The qualification prepares learners to meaningfully contribute to the organisation's management, innovation, and transformation.

Rationale:
The qualification aims to develop learners wanting to improve their managerial capabilities for junior and middle management levels in organisations. To this end, the qualification will offer cutting edge curriculum to postgraduate learners with managerial competencies typically required for middle managers resulting in organisations that will be managed much more effectively and efficiently, thereby contributing broadly to a more prosperous society. The qualification will also benefit learners whose undergraduate training comes from other areas besides commerce but who find that they need to develop managerial competencies required to navigate the complex world of management.

Some of the competencies that the qualification will develop that are required by modern organisations include strategic innovation, organisational transformation and renewal, and enterprise risk management. Such skills will go a long way in improving our innovation capacity as a society and will result in more transformed institutions reflective of the broad diversity of our society. Furthermore, the qualification has also been designed to enhance applied research skills that are in such a great need in our organisations today. These will assist managers to diagnose organisational problems better and offer solutions informed by research. Learners will also be helped to engage theoretically and intellectually as they relate knowledge to a range of contexts to undertake professional or highly skilled work. This qualification will no doubt improve the promotional prospects of learners. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners use the institutions' Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy for the application for. According to this Policy, the institution accepts RPL as an initiative to support transformation of the education and training system in South Africa. The RPL Policy makes provision for an alternative access route for learners who do not meet the general minimum admission requirements for admission to the institution. The institution assesses evidence such as portfolios, challenge examinations, etc. as relevant, sufficient and current before acceptance into the institution can be granted. Once the institution grants the learner access, the learner becomes a member of the learner body, and all academic rules and regulations apply.

Prospective learners may apply for RPL by following the institution procedures. There are no differences in the RPL processes and procedures (as per policy) between the distance education mode and the existing accredited qualifications that the institution offers.

The following principles are relevant:
  • 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 College;
  • Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;
  • Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level;
  • takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification; and
  • Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment finally decided upon by the institution's Committee.

    Where a learner's academic qualification does not satisfy the formal entrance requirements, the learner may apply for admission through RPL, which granting of such is subject to such conditions as may be considered to be appropriate.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Management, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Business Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Strategic Management, 16, Credits.
  • Strategic Innovation, 16 Credits.
  • Organisational Renewal and Transformation, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
  • Contemporary Marketing, 12, Credits.
  • Supply Chain Management, 12Credits.
  • Enterprise Risk Management, 16 Credits.
  • Research Project, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand an organisational environment and examine the principles and processes of managing institutions.
    2. Evaluate and critique an organisation's strategy and strategic plan.
    3. Develop a strategic innovation plan and revitalise the business idea within a rapidly changing business environment.
    4. Identify, analyse and critique organisational change, renewal and transformation strategies.
    5. Conduct a scientifically and academically sound research, develop a research proposal and report in the form of an academically sound article. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the need for an integrative global given the complexity inherent in society at large and business in particular.
  • Develop a critical understanding of the systems thinking philosophy.
  • Apply social systems methodology to analyse and understand business and management-related issues.
  • Use systems thinking to integrate different business and management fields into an integrated whole.
  • Identify the link between subjects such as strategic management, financial management, marketing management, enterprise risk management and supply chain management.
  • Apply systems thinking to define problems and design solutions.
  • Review and analyse systems thinking to foster and facilitate totalling development initiatives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Review organisational strategic planning and management models and processes.
  • Evaluate change management models and processes in terms of ensuring the effective implementation of strategic plans.
  • Align the organisational strategy with the organisation's structure, systems, and culture.
  • Defend the dynamic capability theory and its relationship with the resource-based view.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Argue for or against the link between strategic leadership and innovation.
  • Justify why radical innovations is a competitive advantage.
  • Analyse the strategic innovations approach.
  • Deliberate on the concepts of meaning, objects, and the degrees of change.
  • Clarify the various degrees of innovation using real examples, paradigms and mental models.
  • Illustrate which innovation models should apply to which industries.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the systemic interrelationship between an organisation and the environmental, social and economic conditions in its operational context.
  • Rationalise the place of organisations in society.
  • Reflect on the role of organisational justice in the transformational process.
  • Explain how to manage and lead change in organisations.
  • Reflect on why change, renewal, and transformation efforts often fail.
  • Critique the frameworks for organisational renewal and transformation.
  • Critique and evaluate organisational renewal strategies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Report on the scientific method of research.
  • Transform the data collected in empirical research into information.
  • Debate the various techniques of data collection.
  • Justify the various paradigms to scientific research.
  • Apply the various paradigms to scientific research.
  • Report the research conducted in the form of an academic article.
  • Compose a scientific research proposal.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment strategy for all modules in this qualification, except for the Research Project, will be based on formative and summative assessments. Formative assessment in each of the modules will comprise the tests, completion of learning tasks or assignments. The summative assessment will take a form of integrated assessment where the learner demonstrates an integrated understanding of the concepts covered in respective modules. For Research Methodology continuous assessment will be used which will culminate in a research proposal during the first semester and a research article in the second semester, and which, when combined, constitute a portfolio and will be used to assess the learning outcomes in an integrated manner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom.
    Name of Institution: University of Birmingham.
    Qualification Title: Business Administration Graduate Diploma (120 Credits).

    Similarities:
    Content:
  • Financial Accounting.
  • Quantitative Management Techniques.
  • The Global Business Environment.
  • Cases in Global Business.
  • Operations Management (DBA).
  • Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management.
  • Managerial Accounting.
  • Marketing Concepts.
  • Cases in Marketing.
  • Business Policy & Entrepreneurship.
  • Organisation Behaviour.
  • Financial Analysis for Managers.

    Synopsis:
    This qualification provides a thorough grounding in functional issues in management and empowers those who seek to gain entry to MBA qualifications. The learner group consists of those studying the GDBA as a standalone qualification, as well as those undertaking both the first year of the MBA 24/21 month qualifications. Likewise, those studying the South African PGDip in Business Management will include those seeking to gain entry into our MBA qualification. However, our qualification will not include those undertaking the first year of the MBA qualification.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Name of Institution: University of Liverpool.
    Qualification Title: Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration.

    Similarities:
    Content:
    Core modules:
  • Being A Leader.
  • The Organisation in a Strategic Context.
  • Finance & Accounting for Managers.

    Elective modules (1 module):
  • Market Perspectives.
  • Innovation and Change.
  • Business Consulting Simulation Business Finance.
  • Business in Emerging Markets.
  • Contemporary Trends in Technology.
  • Digital Marketing.
  • Entrepreneurship.
  • Global Leadership.
  • International Business.
  • Investment Strategies.
  • Operations Management.
  • Project Management.
  • Strategic Human Resources Management.

    Synopsis:
    The 12-month qualification is designed to equip you with leadership skills for today's fast-paced global economy, as you build your international network and gain the knowledge and insights to successfully apply leadership theory in your current role - in the public, private or voluntary sectors or as an entrepreneur. The learners are well equipped to make an impact professionally or to progress to a full Master of Business Administration (MBA). The South African PGDip will also be offered for 12 months on a full-time basis and will build the learners' insights in applying the leadership theory in their respective roles.

    Country: Canada.
    Name of Institution: Concordia University.
    Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

    Similarities:
    Content:
    Modules:
  • Business Data Analytics.
  • Professional Business Skills.
  • Accounting.
  • Managing People in Organizations.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Finance.
  • Operations Management.
  • Managerial Economics.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Special topic courses.

    Synopsis:
    The Graduate Diploma (GDBA) in Business Administration is designed for people with a university degree in a non-business discipline, looking for a foundation in business to help them become more efficient and effective managers and administrators. Unlike this qualification, the South African PGDip is offered to people with a non-business degree will need to do an Advanced Diploma in Business Management or Management in line with the HEQSF framework. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Business in Administration, 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.
     
    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.