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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Postgraduate Diploma: Journalism

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
15972	Postgraduate Diploma: Journalism
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Communication Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 7	Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2018-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31		2022-12-31

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

1. It is intended to professionally prepare BA, BSc and BCom graduates for a career in the media.
2. It is intended to contribute to a growing number of skilled and professional especially Black journalists who will be able to transform the South African media in the direction of the promotion of a solid Afro-centric perspective.
3. It is intended to strengthen the democratisation of our society by supplying a steady flow of skilled media workers with a well-ingrained respect for the freedom of the press, a thorough knowledge of current affairs, and of the role of the media in the knowledge society and the information age.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

A first degree in Human and Social Studies, Culture and Arts, Business and Commerce, Education, Training and Development, Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Science, etc.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The overall learning outcomes are quite specific for this professional qualification, and cover knowledge, skills and values outcomes.

Knowledge:

The diplomate has a detailed knowledge:

1. The role of the journalist
2. The information marketplace
3. Essential law
4. Applied ethics
5. Media policy
6. Basic qualities needed in a journalist
7. Technology used in the media
8. The situation in the newsroom
9. Local government and politics
10. Communication, media and society
11. Fundamentals of the knowledge society
12. Principles of media management
13. Africa in global context
14. The fundamentals of Advertising.

Skills:
The Diplomate is able to:

1. Track down stories and findings facts
2. Put together a story
3. How to sell your writing
4. Write reviews
5. Write general interest articles
6. Write for the leisure market
7. Write for the trade press
8. Write for Children/youth
9. Do sub-editing
10. Write for broadcast journalism
11. Search, punctuate and write with style
12. Spell, punctuate and write with style
13. Work with new media
14. Do advanced research for investigative journalism
15. Master the basic of photography
16. Work in public relations
17. Write copy for advertising
18. Produce a corporate newsletter
19. Report on sports and fitness

Values:
The diplomate respect:

1. Journalistic integrity
2. Press freedom
3. Freedom of opinion and expression
4. The right to be informed and to have access to public information
5. The role of a diverse and independent media in empowering civil society

Specify critical cross-field outcomes:

The problem-orientated, project-based approach to learning on which this qualification is bases, ensures that all the critical outcomes are infused in the various modules. This approach demands the ability to apply one's knowledge and skills creatively and appropriately in the face of unprecedented predicaments. It builds tolerable degrees of uncertainty into the programme and thus allows some room to exercise responsibility. Dealing with deadlines, frustrations and interpersonal conflicts are fruitfully combined with writing, research and learning. Appropriate technologies are applied, and particular and local problems are placed within a larger context (e.g. globalisation). The problems are sufficiently real-life ('out there") to give learners a sense of contributing to finding solutions for the communities they are part of, as well as being confronted with career options and entrepreneurial opportunities. Learners are confronted with cultural difference and how this should be managed. Projects are team-based, and each individual team-member is motivated by the others to enhance his/her self-responsibility and communication skills.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The criteria are derived from the level descriptions of level 6 and to a lesser extent, level 5.

Knowledge of the field "journalism" with depth in all the areas listed.

The analysis, reformatting, and evaluation of a wide range of information.

The practical component of the programme provides for ample opportunity to evaluate skill development in terms of the criteria:

Read, write and speak English at an advanced level.

Able to develop reasoned, logical and creative arguments in response to the main issues of the day.

Able to engage in research and fact collection, also using the latest information gathering technology.

Able to comprehend and evaluate new information, and to analyse it under limited guidance.

Production of detailed and coherent reports

Integrated assessment incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the degree is achieved:

1. Portfolios
2. Simulations
3. Workplace assessment
4. Written Examinations
5. Oral Examinations

Other:
The problem-orientated, project-based approach facilitates effective integrated and continued assessment.
Content is assessment continuously (class performance and orals) and by examinations (25% of total).
Assessment of the project (30% of total) includes evaluation of the individual project report, and of the group report by the instructor (50%), the group leader (20%) and by the members of the group (30%).
Core competencies are assessed in terms of range acquired, degree of internalisation, and evidence of lasting impact.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Second examiners in all examinations
External examiners in level 6 modules

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Post-graduate qualification in Journalism and/or Media Studies

At least 2 years in the field, and 2 years teaching experience

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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 Venda