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: 

Advanced Certificate in Project Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120138  Advanced Certificate in Project Management 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
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 Certificate  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 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 01213/23  2023-02-02  2026-02-02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-02-02   2030-02-02  

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 Advanced Certificate in Project Management is an industry-oriented qualification designed to cater to the growing needs of the organisational and commercial sectors. The qualification provides an in-depth study of project management principles and techniques. This qualification emphasizes project management principles together with more specific procedures and their application and/or technology transfer. In addition to providing learners with a sound knowledge base in the discipline of Project Management, this qualification instils the ability to effectively apply the knowledge and skills in their organisation and career to advance business goals and objectives.

This qualification is intended for learners who want to specialise in the knowledge area of project management or to provide a career option and learners who wish to strengthen their existing formal qualification in project management or business management. The qualification will allow learners to engage in the workplace with the necessary mid-level project management knowledge and skills to add value and play a vital role in developing their organisations. This will be achieved by strengthening and integrating theoretical knowledge and practical skills in Project Management, Organisational Behaviour, Project Risk Management, Applied Project Management, Project Planning, Project Initiation and Development, Financial Management and Quantitative Techniques. The qualification also lays the foundation for access to higher specialised qualifications in project and business management.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply appropriate strategic and project management initiatives to deliver effective and efficient outputs that contribute to organisational value.
  • Discuss and apply management concepts, theories, models, practices, and processes required in a project management environment.
  • Evaluate and apply documentation requirements, tools, and techniques to successfully implement and complete projects.
  • Participate in a project management team efficiently within a controlled workplace environment.
  • Manage financial resources and personnel to minimise project risks and costs.

    The qualification will provide opportunities for graduates to access various positions in middle to senior management in project management and administration. The qualification will also equip graduates so that they can pursue a project management career in the public or private sector, both nationally and internationally, inter alia:
  • Project Manager.
  • Project Management Specialist / Consultant.
  • Project Management Facilitator.
  • Business Manager.

    Rationale:
    The South African economy is characterized by both high levels of unemployment, and severe shortages of certain skills demanded in the economy. Critical shortages exist in the management sector across the mid and semi-skilled spectrum, ranging from managers and professionals to artisans and technically trained workers. The South African government has identified these shortages as one of the binding constraints to achieving higher and shared economic growth in the country. Skills development, therefore, remains one of the priority areas for government intervention and this qualification attempts to address this shortage.

    Statistics available from the National List of Occupations in High Demand (2018), lists Programme or Projects Managers in the fifth position of the scarcity of occupations. Other lists for scarce skills such as the National Scarce Skills List of 2008, Scarce Skills Information Dissemination: A Study of the (Sector Education and Training Authority) SETAs in South Africa and even the Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) Scarce and Critical Skills Guide 2014, identified Project Management as an occupational field with substantial demand.
    Further research by the Joint Initiative on Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA), indicates that South Africa needs between 3000 to 5000 project managers in the short term to serve the needs of business. The public sector, NGO's and donor/aid agencies in South Africa are also in need of fast effective service delivery to achieve targets.

    The current skills shortages across all sectors mean that there is a great need for staff that are qualified and able to perform across the key areas of project management. Employees must be equipped with skills and knowledge that are key to the transformation of the South African economy to contribute to the positive performance of their employers. Relevant stakeholders, including academic peers from outside the institution and employers represented on Advisory Boards, were involved in the development of the programme. The qualification is highly relevant and required in today's business world to address the needs of the industry and thereby contribute to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development. This qualification will allow learners to manage and contribute to existing, developing, and emerging socio-economic fluctuations in their organisation whilst addressing the requirements of the stakeholders. The qualification will assist learners to increase their employment opportunities; providing them with a qualification which will enable learners to progress to higher levels within a specialised field, and formalising qualifications for middle managers seeking career advancement and promotion purposes.

    The curriculum of the qualification is aligned to International Project Management Standards (PMI) as well as to Project Management South Africa (PMSA), a recognised non-statutory professional body. This qualification will offer learners advanced knowledge and industry interaction opportunities in fields related to project management. Research carried out by the world's largest professional project management organisation, i.e., the Project Management Institute (PMI) estimates that there will be a huge shortage of project management professionals. The number was projected to reach the millions within a few years. This is due to the growth of the world economy particularly in so-called developing countries but also because many seasoned professionals (project managers) are about to retire in the so-called developed countries. South Africa is in dire need of skilled and experienced project managers.

    The current commercial environment is dynamic and highly competitive, with individuals moving between applied working environments, and management or skilled positions. This qualification will seek to provide learners with the requisite project management and business management skills that are required for them to become adaptive and innovative contributors not only to their organisation but to the economy and the sector. Learners with intellectual interests and the commitment to pursue those interests in a rigorous and challenging environment will be great candidates for the qualification. The qualification is designed in accordance with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) mission statement which advocates the development and implementation of qualifications that contribute to the full development of learners while fostering the social and economic development of the nation at large. The qualification will reinforce the existing knowledge constructs associated with project management by immersing learner's project management and relevant business management theories and management competencies to enable them in assisting organisations in analysing business processes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.
    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Higher Certificate in Project Management, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate in Business Management in Project Management, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Occupational Certificate: Project Manager, NQF Level 5.
    Or
  • Recognised equivalent qualification in a cognate field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 6 totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 128 Credits:
  • Advanced Project Management, 20 Credits.
  • Organisational Behaviour, 20 Credits.
  • Project Risk Management, 12 Credits.
  • Project Initiation and Development, 20 Credits.
  • Project Tools and Techniques, 20 Credits.
  • Corporate Governance, 12 Credits.
  • Financial Management, 12 Credits.
  • Quantitative Techniques, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply appropriate strategic and project management initiatives to deliver effective and efficient outputs that contribute to organisational value.
    2. Effectively manage financial resources and personnel to minimise project risks and costs.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of enquiry in a field, discipline or practice, and their suitability to specific investigations; and the ability to select and apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within a practice.
    4. Participate in a project management team efficiently within a controlled workplace environment.
    5. Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the central areas of one or more fields, disciplines, or practices, including an understanding of and the ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of that field, discipline, or practice; and detailed knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to other fields, disciplines, or practices. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Discuss the importance of theories, principles and concepts underlying the management of projects which contribute to the successful management of a project.
  • Examine the important concepts of project management and distinguish them from one another based on the critical elements unique to each concept.
  • Select and apply appropriate strategies and project management initiatives to deliver effective and efficient outputs that contribute to organisational value.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Analyse the role of financial management in project management.
  • Apply the fundamental mathematical and statistical concepts in the quantitative aspects related to Financial Management.
  • Select and align appropriate methodologies to the principles of financial accounting and quantitative techniques.
  • Apply the identified methodologies to the given scenario in an accurate manner and verify the value of such.
  • Define risk management in project management.
  • Describe the relationship between contingencies and the project budget.
  • Identify project risks using risk identification techniques.
  • Perform qualitative risk analyses to ascertain the probability and impact on scales.
  • Conduct quantitative risk analysis using quantitative techniques.
  • Formulate and implement risk responses using risk responses and categories.
  • Use a risk register and risk management plan.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Evaluate and apply documentation requirements, tools, and techniques to successfully implement and complete projects.
  • Develop a document control system for project documentation.
  • Store and file project documentation according to a standardised system for document control.
  • Retrieve documents for project management activities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Make sound judgements and make decisions appropriate to the project management context.
  • Work as a member of a team.
  • Apply time management skills to the given task and perform deliverables satisfactorily.
  • Present and communicate professionally the outcomes/results of work/tasks/activities.
  • Conduct self-assessment by monitoring one's performance and identifying areas of improvement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Discuss and apply management concepts, theories, models, practices, and processes required in a project management environment.
  • Describe and evaluate the manager's task and the management process.
  • Analyse the importance of project integration and compile a project baseline plan.
  • Manage a basic project according to an interrelated process within a feasible project lifecycle.
  • Develop and implement a basic project scope and work breakdown structure.
  • Apply time management principles in developing a critical path for a basic project including a basic risk management plan.
  • Construct a project schedule including a project procurement schedule and a basic project resource plan and s-curve.
  • Implement and monitor a basic project baseline plan and take corrective action taken when required.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Assessment practices, both in the theoretical and practical aspects of business management, will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. An integrated approach to assessment will therefore be incorporated into the qualification. The assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values shown in the qualification will be integrated. Assessment of advanced knowledge of fundamentals of business management will be integrated as far as possible with other aspects and will use practical contexts wherever possible.

    The assessment strategy is designed to fully support the achievement of the outcomes of the qualification and individual modules and conforms to the institutional policies and practices for assessment. The institution has an existing and functional assessment policy, and the department has adapted it to measure learners' performance and feedback as well as evaluate the effectiveness of programmes and modules offered. Departmental assessment practices are made explicit in the learner handbook as well as in study guides for each module.

    According to the institution's Assessment Policy, assessment practices in the department are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever Assessments will take the form of assignments, case studies, presentations, projects, written class tests and/or examinations. An assessment plan will include a schedule of assessments to be conducted during the year. It will also include assessment criteria, assessment methods, weighting, and timing of assessment.

    Formative assessment:
    Formative Assessments will be used to support the learner developmentally and to feed back into the teaching and learning process. This links the relationship between assessment, learning and teaching and ensures that assessment informs and strengthens both the teaching and learning process and the learner improves from their areas of difficulty.

    Formative assessments will serve to measure the learning that has taken place and the degree to which the module outcomes have been obtained.

    Formative assessment strategies are continuous and aimed at giving learners feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes as well as integrating theoretical and practical competence. Such strategies include informal assignments, discussions, case studies, informal tests, portfolios, and tutoring.

    Summative assessment:
    Summative assessment strategies are aimed at the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the programme. Such strategies include examinations, reports, projects, or equivalent such as a portfolio of evidence which is representative of a selection of the outcomes.

    For summative assessment, especially where more than one marker is involved, internal moderation checks are undertaken to ensure the reliability of the assessment procedures.

    Academic staff who teach a course/module are responsible for designing, implementing, and marking both formative and summative learner assessments, recording results and providing timeous feedback to learners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    An international comparison exercise was conducted to gain useful information with the purpose to ensure that the proposed qualification is both nationally relevant and internationally comparable. The international nomenclature used for qualifications makes it difficult to find a qualification type with the title of Advanced Certificate. As an example, the United States of America follows the nomenclature of Associate Degrees, Degrees, Master and Doctoral. Although titles and type of qualifications reviewed may differ from the proposed Advanced Certificate in Project Management, valuable insights were gained in terms of curriculum design, structure, content, assessment practice, teaching methodologies and overall good practice.

    All qualifications are aligned with industry and academic standards and requirements on a national and international level. Although some of the information obtained from institutions was drawn from qualifications that are not specifically titled 'Advanced Certificate', the specific levels and content of such qualifications were utilized to develop the qualification. The common elements of these qualifications that had the most relevance to the Advanced Certificate and South Africa, were used to assist in the design of the qualification and best practices were adopted and incorporated.

    Internationally, most universities do not offer the Advanced Certificate as a qualification type at the undergraduate level. Some providers offer 6-12-month certificate courses. Many institutions offer short course certificates whilst others offer one-year diplomas as an equivalent undergraduate qualification for comparison.

    Country: Namibia
    Institution: University of Namibia
    Qualification Title: Diploma in Project Management
    NQF Level: Level 6
    Credits: 128
    Duration: The minimum duration is one (1) year.
    Entry Requirements:
    To be considered for admission to this programme, a prospective learner must:
  • Possess a relevant level 5 qualification from a recognized institution of higher learning, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, of which one year should be at managerial level.

    Purpose:
    The purpose of this qualification is to produce graduates who can successfully deliver projects within scope, on schedule and within budgets. This qualification equips learners with the following skills: project management knowledge competence, performance competence, personal competence, communication, the leading project, managing projects, cognitive ability, and professionalism.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Namibia (UoN) and the South African (SA) qualifications take one year of full-time study.
  • Both the UoN and SA qualifications are registered at NQF Level 6 and have 128 credits.
  • The UoN and SA qualifications require applicants who completed the Level 5 qualifications in the cognate field or equivalent.
  • Learners who complete the UoN and SA qualifications will be able to pursue further studies in business, management, project management or a related area of learning at NQF level 7.
  • Learners who complete the UoN and SA qualifications will be able to fill the following career positions: project, programme, and portfolio supervision in private, public, and non-governmental organisations; and operations supervisory positions in the project, programme, and portfolio management in private, public and non-governmental organisations.

    Qualification structure:
    The following qualification UoN qualification compulsory modules are comparable to the SA qualification.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Computer Literacy for Project Managers, 7 Credits.
  • English for General Communication for Project Managers, 7 Credits.
  • Principles of Project Management, 14 Credits compares with Advanced Project Management in SA qualification.
  • Project Scope and Schedule Management, 14 Credits compares with Project Initiation and Development, Project Tools, and Techniques Advanced Project Management in SA qualification.
  • Project Cost and Procurement Management, 14 Credits compares with Financial Management in SA qualification.
  • Project Quality and Risk Management, 14 Credits compares with Project Risk Management in SA qualification.
  • Project Leadership: Human Relations and Ethics, 14 Credits compares with Organisational Behaviour and Corporate Governance in SA qualification.
  • Project Integration Simulation (MS Projects), 14 Credits.
  • Work Based Project, 30 Credits compares with Quantitative Techniques in SA qualification.

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: University of Virginia
    Qualification Title: Certificate in Project Management
    Credits: 15
    Duration: The certificate can be completed in 12 months

    Entry Requirements:
  • A high school diploma or equivalent for those applying for an undergraduate certificate.
  • An undergraduate degree for those applying for a post-baccalaureate or graduate certificate.

    Purpose:
    The demand for professionals who can integrate and manage a company's project has created an emerging field in project management technology. The graduate Certificate in Project Management is designed to be a stand-alone qualification for professionals who want to prepare for Project Management Institute (PMIŽ) certification and be more effective team leaders. Modules focus on a variety of topics including project risk management, team leadership, and schedule, cost, and budget control, covering core competencies recognized by the Project Management Institute (PMIŽ).

    Similarities:
  • The University of Virginia (UoV) and the South African (SA) qualifications take one year of full-time study to complete.
  • Both qualifications are designed to provide the tools, techniques, and skills needed to effectively manage projects through appropriate learning activities and products.
  • The following UoV compulsory and elective modules are comparable to the SA qualification.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Introduction to Project Management compares with Project Initiation and Development in SA qualification.
  • Project Schedule, Cost and Budget Control compares with Financial Management Project Initiation and Development in SA qualification.
  • Leadership and Managing the Project Team compares with Advanced Project Management in SA qualification.
  • Project Risk Management compares with Project Risk Management in SA qualification.
  • Agile Project Management compares with Project Risk Management in SA qualification.

    Elective Modules:
  • Foundations of Leadership compares with Organisational Behaviour in SA qualification.
  • Organizational Leadership compares with Corporate Governance in SA qualification.
  • Procurement Policies and Practices compares with Financial Management in SA qualification.
  • Communications and Team Development.
  • Introduction to Purchasing for Project Managers compares with Financial Management in SA qualification.
  • Strategic Leadership compares with Corporate Governance in SA qualification.

    Differences:
  • The UoV qualification requires applicants who completed a high school diploma and/or undergraduate degree whereas the SA qualification requires applicants who completed the Level 5 qualification or equivalent.
  • The UoV qualification has 18 credit hours while the SA qualification has 128 credits.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: London School of Planning and Management
    Qualification Title: Level 6 Certificate in Project Management
    Credits: 15
    Duration: 9 Months
    Entry Requirements:
    One- or two-years' study of business, management, or related qualifications at a Higher Education Institution
    Or
    A level 5 qualification in business, the management or related subjects for example Level 5 Diploma in Management or Other equivalent international qualifications

    Purpose:
    This qualification aims to equip learners with advanced knowledge and skills in project management. Learners will be able to understand the process of identifying appropriate and feasible projects, and to be able to initiate and start a project; to manage, monitor and control a project, including assessing, managing, and controlling project risks and issues, project and team management and change management and to evaluate the success or failure of a project. The qualification consists of one compulsory module, which is Project Management.

    Assessments:
    The assessment is done via the submission of an assignment. There are no written exams.

    Similarities:
  • The London School of Planning and Management (LSPM) and the South African (SA) qualifications are registered at Level 6.
  • Both qualifications will develop a deeper understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of project, programme and portfolio management and facilitate the essential skills and competencies necessary to plan, monitor, control and deliver successful projects, programmes, and portfolios.
  • Both qualifications share the same purpose to meet the needs of managers responsible for projects and provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental topics needed to manage business projects within a complex and ever-changing environment.

    Differences:
  • The LPSM qualification is offered over a period of nine months and has 15 credits whereas the SA qualification takes one year of full-time study and has 128 credits,
  • The LPSM qualification is offered fully online while the SA qualification is delivered through a blended approach.
  • The LPSM qualification consists of only a formative assessment and no summative assessment since no exams are written whereas the SA qualification includes no formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Certificate in Business Management and Administration, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Management Sciences, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Small Business Management, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Management Sciences, NQF Level 6.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Project Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.