SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
120560	Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership
ORIGINATOR
The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd
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
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

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership aims to provide learners and organisations with management and leadership competencies necessary for sustainability and competitive advantage. It is a management development qualification aimed at all managerial levels, to develop and enhance the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for successful general business management and effective leadership.

It integrates all relevant disciplines such as finance, human resources, and marketing into the overall operational plan of the organisation. With a strong focus on problem-solving and leadership competencies; this qualification is designed to prepare learners for professional and managerial roles in private, public, developing, and non-profit sectors. The qualification will develop analytical and problem-solving skills and proactive thinking abilities. In addition, the qualification will provide the underpinning knowledge and understanding required to operate effectively in a managerial role. The emphasis will evolve from an operational to a more strategic perspective of leadership in a business context.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:

Analyse and integrate the principles, theories and values of management and leadership in a strategic business context.

Analyse the roles and responsibilities of business leaders within changing economic, social, legal, ethical, and political contexts.

Develop a strategy and implementation plan to address complex management and leadership challenges.

Apply analytical, intellectual, and ICT tools in assessing business opportunities and implementing appropriate business leadership strategies and tactics.

Apply theoretical and practical methods essential to developing leadership and managerial competencies.

Apply interpersonal, group-working, and leadership skills to enhance your performance and the performance of others.

Rationale:
The need for the development of leadership competencies as a driver of corporate activity has been highlighted by South African researchers, practitioners and notably by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) (Andriukaitiene et al., 2017:222; Meyer & Abbot; 2017).

Global research stresses the need for more leaders who have an integrated understanding of business processes and systems. Leaders are invaluable when it comes to formulating and communicating new strategic directions as well as motivating employees to increase dedication to organisational goals. South African businesses will increasingly need leaders who have the required competencies to actively manage the complex environments in which they operate. Competent and skilled business leaders who will be able to apply their skills to build and transform the country. These local and global perspectives provide a rationale for ongoing business leadership skills development initiatives. The qualification addresses citizen empowerment through carefully selected course elements that equip graduates with competencies to address complex leadership challenges.

In addition, the qualification contributes to the graduate employability strategy by aiming to produce graduates who are capable of independent analysis, and critical and innovative thinking as well as transferring lifelong learning skills to the community and industry.

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 which is applicable with 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 may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

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 should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

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.

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 which is applicable with 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 may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access:

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:

A Bachelor's degree in the related field, NQF Level 7.
Or

An Advanced Diploma in the related field, NQF Level 7.
Or

A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:

Contemporary Management Principles and Practices, 20 Credits.

Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.

Applied Accounting and Finance for Managers, 20 Credits.

Management of Business Information and Knowledge, 20 Credits.

Strategic Management & Leadership, 20 Credits.

Research Methodology, 20 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Analyse and integrate the principles, theories and values of management and leadership in a strategic business context.
2. Analyse the roles and responsibilities of business leaders within changing economic, social, legal, ethical, and political contexts.
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop a strategy and implementation plan to address complex management and leadership challenges.
4. Apply analytical, intellectual, and ICT tools in assessing business opportunities and implementing appropriate business leadership strategies and tactics.
5. Apply theoretical and practical methods essential to developing leadership and managerial competencies.
6. Apply interpersonal, group-working, and leadership skills to enhance your performance and the performance of others.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Discuss the concepts of leadership, marketing, business models, information technology, financial analysis, strategy and resource planning in the context of management.

Differentiate between an operational and a strategic business context.

Explain the critical importance of, and the interplay between, leadership-related concepts in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Discuss the economic, social, legal, ethical, and political contexts affecting the business environment.

Elaborate on the changes which took place in the business environment of any Industry of your choice in the past five years.

Conduct a political, economic, sociological, technological, and environmental (PESTLE) analysis on the factors that affect the role of leaders in the execution of their duties.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Analyse and suggest appropriate solutions for leadership challenges.

Address complex management and leadership challenges through electronic, written, and broadcast channels in an organisation.

Present the said strategy to various role players.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Identify the possible ways of applying analytical, intellectual and ICT tools when implementing business-centric leadership strategies.

Suggest ICT tools to be utilised in designing a leadership strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Discuss ways to nurture leadership and managerial talent to lead organisations to high impact and global reach.

Suggest theoretical and practical methods which would contribute to organisational effectiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Discuss the ethical merit of decisions as illustrated in a case study.

Analyse your personal development of interpersonal and transferable skills as experienced in the past five years.

Elaborate on the required ethical management and leadership skills vital to a successful organisation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Country: Egypt
Institution: Cairo University
Qualification Title: Academic Diploma in Business Administration
Cairo University offers a two-year Academic Diploma in Business Administration. This qualification can only be done by individuals who have completed a Bachelor's degree.

The qualification is aimed at working professionals wishing to enhance their employability in managerial roles in their organisations. Cairo University's qualification offers learners several specialisation pathways, including marketing, finance and investment, business management, and human resources management

Similarities:

Both qualifications are aimed at working professionals wishing to enhance their employability in managerial roles in their organisation.

Difference

The Egypt qualification is offered in two years, whereas the SA qualification is offered in one year.

The SA qualification does not offer any elective specialisations but contains core modules covering human resource management, accounting and finance, and strategic business management and leadership.

Country: New Zealand
Institution: The University of Auckland
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Business
The University of Auckland in New Zealand offers a part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Business. Similar to the SA qualification, this qualification targets individuals who have already entered the workplace but wish to augment their business leadership and management skills and knowledge. This qualification offers compulsory modules that cover fundamental principles and practices of business in society but also contains several specialisation pathways: Business Management, Business Development, Information Governance, and Property Practice.

The SA qualification integrates aspects present in all four of Auckland's specialisations by offering salient modules in contemporary management, human resources management, finance, and information management. The NZ qualification emphasises sustainability and developing critical problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Similarities:

The NZ qualification offers compulsory modules that cover fundamental principles and practices of business in society, which is similar to the SA qualification.

Both qualifications emphasise sustainability and developing critical problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: The University of Oxford
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership
Duration: One Year
The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership aimed at working professionals who wish to enhance their management skills.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership focuses on developing students' applied competencies in managing people and organisations' sustainability.
It covers fundamental aspects of leadership, human resource management, strategic management and leadership. The UK qualification does not have a research component. The UK qualification develops learners' analytical problem-solving.

Similarities:

Both qualifications are offered in one year and focus on developing students' applied competencies in managing people and the organisation's sustainability.

Both qualifications cover the fundamental aspects of leadership, human resource management, and strategic management and leadership.

Both qualifications seek to develop learners' analytical problem-solving.

Differences:

The SA qualification contains a salient research component, which is lacking in Oxford's qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership Development, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Business Leadership, NQF Level 9.

Master of Philosophy in Management in Leadership in Emerging Countries, NQF Level 9.

Master of Commerce in Project Leadership and Management, NQF Level 9.

Master of International Business, 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.	The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd