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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Public Management in Human Settlements Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
121179  Advanced Diploma in Public Management in Human Settlements Management 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu 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 Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
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
Registered  EXCO 0920/23  2023-11-14  2026-11-14 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-11-14   2030-11-14  

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 Diploma in Public Management in Human Settlement and Management is a multi-disciplinary programme in the field of human settlements that aims to further the career development of learners in human settlements management. It includes planning, monitoring, and service delivery of housing and municipal services to both urban and rural dwellers. The qualification is aimed at equipping learners with the skills, knowledge and competencies that allow qualifying learners to engage in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and application of theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems in the field of Human Settlements Management.

The Advanced Diploma qualification further equips learners with context-specific, functional knowledge and competencies required to interpret, articulate, and apply human settlement policies in diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
This qualification will provide learners with professional skills and the appropriate knowledge for a range of employment opportunities related to human settlements and management. This is a new qualification designed to feed the evolving demands for qualified professionals with a holistic understanding of multi-public and non-public role players in human settlement planning, development, and management.

A qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize and apply theoretical knowledge acquired to plan and manage sustainable human settlements.
  • Employ the principles and procedures of data gathering and analysis to produce empirical findings on issues that bear on human settlements' design/planning, development, and management.
  • Demonstrate an ability to understand and interpret human settlement legislations, policies, and programmes.
  • Demonstrate an ability to be acquainted with technical design and construction aspects of houses, infrastructure, and services within the human settlement context.
  • Implement community development initiatives on Human Settlements Management.

    Rationale:
    Human settlement is a new concept in the country, and as a result, most practitioners are still grappling with the implementation of programmes associated with it. Hence, the Department of Human Settlements has prioritized professionalizing the sector and this qualification will assist in achieving the intended objectives. The qualification will fill the skills gap in the emerging sector and assist officials in the country to contribute positively to socio-economic development initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens.

    Most officials in the sector lack the relevant information and skills to effectively discharge their duties based on the roles and responsibilities entrusted to them. These objectives can be achieved through the offering of the qualification in institutions of higher learning to provide the basis for the continued learning of practitioners.

    The Advanced Diploma programme equips learners with context-specific, functional knowledge and competencies required to interpret, articulate, and apply human settlement policies in diverse social, cultural, and environmental contexts.

    This qualification will assist in addressing challenges identified in the National Development Plan (NDP) of building a state that can play a transformative and developmental role. This can only be achieved by having well-coordinated state institutions with skilled public servants committed to the public good and capable of delivering high-quality services to South Africans.

    In transforming human settlements, a complex agenda is needed as advocated by the NDP where policy changes and shifts in households, businesses and institutions should be at the top of the agenda. Hence the qualification seeks to equip public servants with the necessary skills aimed at strengthening the relations between stakeholders.

    Qualifying learners will find career outlets in National, Provincial and Local Government Departments of Human Settlements as highlighted in the National Department of Human Settlements Strategic Plan 2015. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Exit Level Outcomes
    1. Conceptualize and apply theoretical knowledge acquired to plan and manage sustainable human settlements.
    2. Employ the principles and procedures of data gathering and analysis to produce empirical findings on issues that bear on human settlements' design/planning, development, and management.
    3. Understand and interpret human settlement legislations, policies, and programmes.
    4. Apply acquaintance with technical design and construction aspects of houses, infrastructure, and services within the human settlement context.
    5. Implement community development initiatives on Human Settlements Management.
    6. Comprehend the land use dynamics and land cover changes and their implications on human settlement service delivery.
    7. Employ zoning for achieving planning objectives and develop a research project.
    8. Execute and analyse data from the field and produce a research report in the area of Human Settlements Management.
    9. Provide responsible leadership in the management of human settlements.
    10. Carry out project management on human settlement delivery. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Dissect and analyse how a particular theory and/or concept can be applied to address specific practical human settlement management issues.
  • Apply relevant concepts and theories in addressing specific human settlement problems, with particular attention to the cultural, economic, socio-spatial, and technological contexts of such problems.
  • Understand social housing concepts, principles, and processes to facilitate sustainable social housing delivery.
  • Develop a sound knowledge of infrastructural requirements for a well-established and well-managed human settlement.
  • Analyse different strategies employed by National, Provincial and Municipal authorities to build sustainable human settlements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Understand and utilise different techniques and investigations to identify, gather, process, integrate and analyse information from different sources for research, training, and community development.
  • Analyse and synthesise information to generate useful results for decision-making in the human settlement sectors.
  • Develop appropriate models and techniques for policy, programme, and project evaluation in the field of human settlement development and management.
  • Build scenarios of likely problems that can arise in future human settlement development and evolve ways of solving them.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Understand and interpret human settlement policies, legislations, regulations, and institutional frameworks.
  • Critique various policies and regulations connected with the development and management of human settlements in South Africa.
  • Appraise the roles, functions and responsibilities of human settlement delivery and management institutions and other public and private organisations involved in the development and management of human settlements.
  • Develop skills for policy and programme evaluation via group and individual study of specific human settlements-related policies and programmes.
  • Evaluate and apply housing policies, legislations, and regulations to facilitate the delivery of equitable and affordable housing in different cultural contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Illustrate an understanding and knowledge of the housing regulatory environment i.e., the legislative framework.
  • Evaluate public utilities and their functioning towards an efficient service delivery.
  • Apply a range of project management tools and techniques in different physical, socio-economic, and cultural environments.
  • Effectively apply diverse methods of building constructions.
  • Manage, monitor, and evaluate construction projects by application of the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge).
  • Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of different housing delivery models.
  • Assess the feasibility of different alternative building technologies/energy-saving strategies relevant to mass housing delivery, especially in the context of South Africa.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply community development techniques and social facilitation skills to empower beneficiary communities in housing and community development.
  • Contextualize the indigenous knowledge on principles and concepts of community human settlement preferences within habitat approaches.
  • Appraise the community development techniques based on their contextual relevance for community development interventions.
  • Assess the impact of community development initiatives on residents.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Analyse land use management planning techniques and management and implications for sustainable human settlement.
  • Conduct change detection analysis and quantification of land use change.
  • Understand the principles and implementation of land use zoning for achieving planning objectives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Identify and choose an area of research and conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on the chosen topic.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 8.
  • Relate the research problem to a specific aspect of human settlement development and management to show research knowledge.
  • Illustrate awareness of the state of knowledge in the chosen research area.
  • Apply knowledge of the approaches and tools of research in human settlement.
  • Illustrate understanding of the various steps and procedures in preparing for multi-disciplinary research.
  • Validate adequate knowledge of research methodology in human settlement.
  • Illustrate knowledge of problems associated with research in human settlement.
  • Apply understanding of the principles of producing scientific reports and communicate the findings adequately.
  • Apply appropriate and current terminologies.
  • Evaluate the relevance of research objectives.
  • Apply a critical analysis of the research publication.
  • Correctly interpret research publication.
  • Maintain correspondence between interpretations and implications of research findings of a research project.
  • Design qualitative or quantitative research and apply appropriate research tools to plan and implement research.
  • Clearly define research problems.
  • Validate a comprehensive and concise review of the extent of literature related to the research topic.
  • Adhere to research ethics and apply appropriate methods of data collection and analysis that are guided by the aim, objectives, and hypotheses of the research.
  • Interpret and present research findings in a concise and coherent manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 9.
  • Synthesise knowledge from diverse fields to address equity and environmental concerns in human settlement delivery.
  • Apply globally adopted practices in the management and administration of human settlement at different geographical (city, town, village hamlet) and administrative (national, provincial, municipality) scales.
  • Manage stakeholder relations through engagement in the human settlement sector and demonstrate problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills in resolving issues among stakeholders with divergent interests.

    Associated Assessment Criteria 10.
  • Identify and explain theories, principles, and concepts governing Project Management.
  • Illustrate an understanding of the importance of project management in human settlements. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Ghana
    Institution: Nkwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Settlement Planning
    Credits: 135
    Duration: 4 years

    Entry requirements:
    WASSCE/SSSCE Holders who have credit passes (A1-C6/A-D Respectively) in the Three (3) Core Subjects: English Language, Mathematics, and Integrated Science
    Or
    Advanced Level Holders with credit passes in at least Five (5) subjects at the GCE 'O' Level.
    Or
    Mature Students who meet the universitiey-prescribed entry levels.

    Purpose:
    The main objective of this qualification is to train the professional manpower required for the planning and management of the growing urban and rural settlements in Ghana. Essentially, the graduates are to be prepared to understand, appreciate, and interpret policies as they manifest in space and behavioural patterns in response to settlement development. The shortage of Settlement Planners in the country in general is evident from the nature of settlement management problems which are faced by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies. It is in response to this need of the country within the context of Decentralization and Local Government that the Department of Planning has mounted this programme. As a dynamic training institution, being responsive to the changing needs of the country is the Department's priority.

    The B.Sc. Human Settlement Planning Programme aims at the training of requisite manpower to plan and effectively manage human settlements. Specifically, the objectives are to train a cadre of physical planners who are capable of:
  • Using modern technology and equipment in the planning and management of human settlement in the country.
  • Understanding and appreciating the complexities and dynamics of human settlements and their interrelationships.
  • Developing appropriate strategies to manage human settlement problems which arise from the growth of settlements.
  • Promoting techniques of effective political-technical interaction and community participation in settlement planning.

    Qualification structure:

    Year one
    Compulsory modules,
  • Information and communication technology.
  • Economics and development I
  • Geography for planners
  • Fundamentals of planning
  • Quantitative methods for planners I
  • Communication skills I
  • Foundation workshop I
  • Economics for development II
  • Development of human settlement compares with human settlement policies and programmes.
  • Sociology of development
  • Quantitative methods for planners II
  • Communication skills
  • Foundation workshop

    Year two
  • Literature in English I
  • Population and development
  • Environment and development
  • Rural settlement planning workshop I compares with human settlements management.
  • Development planning process
  • Research methods
  • Literature in English II
  • Theories of development
  • Development infrastructure II compares with construction & energy management.
  • Economics of spatial development
  • Intro to gigs and models in planning
  • Rural settlement planning II

    Year three
  • Resource assessment techniques
  • Agriculture and industrial development policy
  • Housing policy planning compares with human settlements policies and programmes.
  • Transportation planning compares with public transport management.
  • District development planning I
  • Governance of development
  • Planning for education
  • Health services planning
  • Project analysis
  • Planning workshop III

    Year four
  • District management workshop I
  • Financial development
  • Social policy planning
  • Management and entrepreneurial skills
  • Planning theory
  • Special study
  • Planning workshop IV

    Integrated assessment:
    Based on University rules and regulations, the Department operates a system of continuous assessment and candidates are exposed to a variety of:
  • Tests in coursework
  • oral examinations
  • grades for the Special Study.

    Similarities:
  • The Nkwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) accept holders of WASSCE/SSSCE and GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level, both school leaving certificates are comparable to the South African (SA) school leaving qualification.
  • Both KNUST and SA qualifications share similar modules such as rural settlement planning workshop which compares with SA's Human Settlements Management, and Development Infrastructure compares with SA's construction & energy management.
  • Both KNUST and SA qualifications have a similar purpose and aim, which is to train the professional manpower required for the planning and management of the growing urban and rural settlements. The SA qualification aims at providing learners with professional skills and the appropriate knowledge of a range of employment opportunities related to human settlements and management.
  • Both KNUST and SA want to address a need that is caused by a rise from the growth of settlements, upon attainment of the qualifications, the learners will be able to develop appropriate strategies to plan and manage human settlement problems.
  • Both KNUST and SA qualification follows a continuous formative and summative assessment, comprising of tests, examination, and grading.

    Differences:
    The KNUST qualification is offered over four years with 135 credits, whereas the SA qualification is offered over one year with 120 credits.
    The KNUST qualification design focuses more on the planning and economics of human settlement, whereas the SA qualification's focus is more on management and policy implementation.

    Country: Scotland
    Institution: The University of Glasgow
    Qualification title: HousingStudiesMSc/PgDip
    Credits: 80
    Duration: 19 months part-time

    Entry requirement:
    undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) from a recognised university.

    Purpose:
    The University of Glasgow offers the Housing Studies programme which provides students with developing insight into the housing systems, policies and practices focusing on the management of housing. The Housing Studies programme provides learners with critical insight into the development of housing systems, policies and practices, and a framework for discussing the development, financing, and management of housing.

    On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be in possession of a qualification recognised by the Chartered Institute of Housing which will enable them to develop a career as a housing professional.

    Exciting opportunities exist to work in housing management, property development, resident engagement, community regeneration, housing and health promotion and policy analysis and development. There are opportunities to work in the private and the public sector. Working in housing is not just about bricks and mortar. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that a career working in housing is about providing decent homes and a decent environment for people to live in.

    The flexible programme is suitable for those working in housing (part-time or full-time) who wish to develop their career; those new to the sector and who wish to enhance their skill set; and those interested in developing their knowledge of applied public policy and who are interested in further study by research.
    Qualification structure:

    The Postgraduate Diploma can be studied part-time over 19 months. On successful completion of the Diploma and a research methods course, students can transfer to the MSc and complete a dissertation over a further 5 months.

    The MSc can be studied on a full-time basis over 12 months or a part-time basis over 24 months.

    Modules
    Semester 1
  • Understanding housing markets
  • Housing contexts
  • Reflecting practice in housing
  • Management in housing business
  • Urban studies design, methods, and ethics compares with acquaintance with technical design and construction aspects of houses, infrastructure, and services within human settlement context.
    Core courses

    Semester 1
  • Understanding housing markets
  • Housing contexts
  • Reflecting practice in housing compares with conceptualize and apply theoretical knowledge acquired to plan and manage sustainable human settlements.
  • Management of housing business
  • Urban studies research, design, methods, and ethics

    Semester 2
  • Private rented sector
  • Housing policy contracts across a developed UK
  • Housing, inequality, and society
  • Urban design policy and practice

    Similarities:
  • The University of Glasgow (UG) and the South African qualification (SA) share some similarities in their purpose and aim, both institutions offer learners a range of skills and knowledge required by housing professionals. Thus, this qualification emphasises practical, technology-driven skills, knowledge and competencies that allow qualifying learners to engage in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and application of theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems in the field of Human Settlements Management.
  • Both UG and SA qualifications share similar modules such as Reflecting practice in housing that compares with conceptualising and applying theoretical knowledge acquired to plan and manage sustainable human settlements.

    The UG qualification is suitable for learners who wish to develop their careers; those new to the sector and who wish to enhance their skill set; this is similar to the SA qualifications and also aims at assisting officials in the country to contribute positively to socio-economic developments initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens.

    The UG qualification provides learners with critical insight into the development of housing systems, policies and practices, and a framework for discussing the development, financing, and management of housing.
    Similarly, the SA qualification seeks to develop learners with necessary skills aimed at strengthening the relations between stakeholders in order the deal with the complex agenda advocated by the NDP, where policy changes and shifts in households, business and institutions should be at the top of the agenda.

    Differences:

    The UG qualification upon successful completion of the Diploma and a research methods course, learners can transfer to the MSc and complete a dissertation over a further 5 months, whereas the SA qualification is an advanced diploma level that articulates to a Postgraduate diploma.
    The UG qualification is offered over 19 months with 80 credits, whereas the SA qualification is offered over 12 months with a minimum of 120 credits. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Public Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma Public Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Administration in Human Settlements Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Public Administration, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Human Settlement Development, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Social Science in Human Settlement, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Management and Governance, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Management, NQF Level 8.

    Diagonal Articulation
  • Occupational Certificate: Public Service Administrator, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    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. Mangosuthu 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.