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 Entrepreneurship

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
115153	Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
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		Generic 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 0335/25	2024-06-30	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

The core purpose of this qualification involves the enablement of the learner to start and manage his/her own business while they study the theory and practice of true entrepreneurship. The content is aligned with the principles of applied science and developed from best practices in the domain of entrepreneurship and small business management.

The course is flexible in the sense that 70% of the offering is online that provides the opportunity study in own pace and timeframe. It also forms part of a qualification pipeline towards studying the Master of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship (upon selection).

Rationale:
The socio-economic conditions of South Africa measured over the past 20 years ask for interventions that firstly contribute to economic growth, secondly job creation and thirdly alleviation of poverty. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial performance, coupled with a comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem, should be applied in embracing the entire contributing forces as a critical socio-economic driver. The qualification serves as a skills development catalyst in addressing the above as it encapsulates both the entrepreneur, the key role player in starting and managing a small business, the entrepreneurial entity to be managed as well as a clear understanding of the enabling environment and ecosystem.

The current Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate measures below 10% for the past decade, indicating a lack of entrepreneurial orientation, intention and action. The qualification focuses on developing skills to effectively start, establish, manage and grow an entrepreneurial venture via focuses on the entrepreneurial processes, creativity and opportunity recognition, business planning and marketing as well as financial management. Furthermore, the qualification emphasises entrepreneurial growth, comprehending small business policy development with relevance to the enabling environment. The hybrid delivery model offers potential entrepreneurs the ability to start and manage his/her own busy whilst obtaining the required skills.
People who will benefit from this qualification include:

Potential entrepreneurs who are forced into the unemployment space (e.g. retrenchment).
Potential entrepreneurs who are pulled by a need for independence and a feasible opportunity but without the necessary skills, background and experience to start and manage their own business.
Professional individuals (e.g. engineers or medical practitioners) with entrepreneurial acumen and would like to open their own practice.
Employed individuals who would like to apply an entrepreneurial mindset and orientation in the formal workplace.
Existing entrepreneurs who would like to propel the growth of their entities via new managerial principles and techniques.

The qualification prepares and equips individuals for self-employment, wealth creation and independence. It also benefits the employed individual with the entrepreneurial mindset to creatively innovate and excel in the workplace.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Institutional RPL policy aligns to the NQF and CHE RPL Policies.

The Institution has a finite capacity in most undergraduate fields (its limits have already been reached, or those admitted are selected from a large number of applicants), the institution's policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning only applies to learner cases at Postgraduate level (including Postgraduate Diplomas).

The institution offers advanced standing through policies and systems to prospective learners who do not meet the formal or statutory requirements for entrance but who can demonstrate output and experiences consonant with the NQF Level of the preceding qualification and a potential to perform at the next level, and who can demonstrate that they possess the appropriate (context-specific) knowledge and skills required for admission to such next level of qualification.

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

A relevant Bachelor qualification, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 30 Credits.

Creativity and Innovation, 30 Credits.

Small Business Management, 30 Credits.

The Business Plan, 30 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Engage critically with the entrepreneurship enabling environment and ecosystem and all its role players.
2. Develop a unique and innovative product/service/process aligned with the market environment.
3. Comprehend the small business managerial process and functions.
4. Draft and develop a bankable business plan.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Comprehend the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa and its socio-economic impact.

Identifying the elements of the entrepreneurial process and determine its interrelatedness.

Apply the new business idea in the context of the entire process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Understand and implement the theory of creativity and innovation.

Design thinking towards refining a business idea for the African market environment.

Analyse and apply the process of innovation and innovation management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Understanding and applying the principles of the functional areas of business management within the context of the small business venture.

Contextualise a focus on strategy; supply chain management; marketing; human resources and financial management within the context of the newly created entrepreneurial venture.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Designing a business model and case towards drafting a complete business plan for both the start-up and financing requirements in Africa.

Analyse and implement the financial aspects as part of the business plan (break-even analysis; financial statements; budget).

Incorporate what potential financiers look for in business plans.

Integrated Assessment:

Formative assessments are performed on a monthly basis. This is done via the monitoring procedures for the qualification. Monitoring of learners learning in the qualification is performed via a monthly discussion between the qualification committee, modular convener and lecturer in charge of that module.

This process helps to identify specific weaknesses in the learner's knowledge before engaging in a formal assessment process. The summative assessment is performed by process of formal internal and external moderation of examination papers and examination scripts. This is performed by Faculty appointed internal and external examiners according to the prescribed institution's standards and policy.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification compares on an international platform with:

The PGDP (Entrepreneurship) compares on an international platform with:
1. The University of San Francisco's Master of Sciences in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (although on a different level).

Similarities:

Both qualifications focus on the development on entrepreneurs as innovative leaders who embrace the creation of ventures, products and services that serves communities internationally.

Both qualifications accelerate the learner's ability to create, sustain a grow ventures by building professional capabilities.

Both qualifications include the engagement of learner's with local eco-systems or communities through innovative activities that introduce entrepreneurial opportunities.

Both qualifications builds networks between the learner/entrepreneur and the SMME enabling environment.

2. Entrepreneurship Essentials at Harvard Business School.

Similarities:

Both qualifications have an online component.

In both qualifications learners are taken through a comprehensive process of idea identification, idea evaluation and market assessment.

Both qualifications highlights basic entrepreneurial theory.

Both qualifications offers and assist learners in the validation and development of business models/strategy.

Both qualifications have a component that focus specifically on financial decision-making.

1. Postgraduate Certificate - Online Degree in Entrepreneurship - Deakin University and Coventry University (UK).

Similarities:

Both qualifications explore the foundation of entrepreneurial theory to create a better understanding of entrepreneurial capabilities that will make the learner more successful in practice.

Both qualifications focus on the establishment of innovation and socio-economic innovation as a driver for success.

Both qualifications develop the strategic capabilities of the learner/entrepreneur.

Both qualifications explore the entrepreneurial eco-system in detail.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Communication Management, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship, 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.

1.	University of Pretoria