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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19286  Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This Post-Graduate Diploma is the first year of postgraduate study in the field of museum and heritage studies. It provides a broad programme in heritage training for those already in the sector as well as those who wish to enter this field. The Diploma is intended to open up for those who acquire it, vocational possibilities in the heritage, museum and tourism sector. The principle aim of the Diploma is to ensure that students have the opportunity to explore a range of approaches to heritage and museum studies, while enabling them to combine electives in areas of particular interest to them. It provides students with an intellectual training at a fairly advanced level in the key debates, facing heritage in a transforming and democratising South Africa. At the same time it equips students with the necessary skills in managing heritage structures and institutions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Admission to the Diploma is by application and selection on the basis of evidence of ability to succeed in the courses offered and a commitment to the field. The ability to succeed in the Diploma and commitment to the field is evaluated by formal assessment by the Convening Committee of the Diploma before admission. The Convening Committee consists of three members from the University of Cape Town, three members from the University of the Western Cape, three members from the Robben Island Museum and three members from practitioners in the museum/heritage sector. The Convening Committee is answerable to the Senates of UCT and UWC and is chaired by a member of one of the two universities.

Entrance qualifications:
A degree on Bachelor level

Recognition of prior learning:
Non-graduates should ideally have at least five years of work experience of which a significant proportion is in the museum and heritage sector. The application procedure enables such students to demonstrate that what they have learnt in employment in the sector has made them eligible for study at the post-graduate level. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The graduate in Museum and Heritage Studies is competent to:

1. Understand and interpret museum and heritage displays
2. Conduct research in the field of Museum and Heritage Studies
3. Produce academic papers that reflect an ability to interrogate the professional literature and engage in critical debate
4. Find and process information of professional relevance efficiently and independently
5. Examine and evaluate different theoretical paradigms
6. Communicate different heritage messages to the public effectively
7. Support heritage managers, festival organisers, tourism authorities and national parks in accessing, interpreting and presenting heritage.

General Outcomes:

The graduate in Museum and Heritage Studies is competent to:

1. Articulate his or her understanding of an area of museum and heritage studies at a high level of abstraction
2. Independently apply knowledge in the heritage field to conceptual and practical problems
3. Identify and solve heritage problems by using critical and creative thinking
4. Work efficiently with others in the heritage sector
5. Collect, analyse and critically evaluate information
6. Communicate effectively as a heritage professional
7. Demonstrate an understanding of heritage and its relation to other facets of our world
8. Contribute, as a heritage practitioner, to the social and economic development of society and have the ability to explore further heritage opportunities that will add value to the current context.

Specific Outcomes:

The graduate in Museum and Heritage Studies is able to:

1. Formulate a sophisticated argument drawing on appropriate theory and practice
2. Produce critiques of museum and heritage theory and research
3. Evaluate and interpret heritage displays
4. Participate in a research project to answer questions around the production of heritage
5. Develop strategies for the collection, management and display of heritage
6. Show an understanding of the representation of heritage products
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and ethics of heritage collections
8. Analyse visual presentations of history and culture through tourism, monuments, festivals, museums, photographs and natural landscapes 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1 Demonstrate higher library and information service skills
2 Teach information literacy skills
3 Organise school libraries
4 Manage school libraries in South Africa and internationality
5 Demonstrate understanding and knowledge on a broad spectrum of issues related to school librarianship


Formative assessment:

Continuous assessment through:
  • Essay-type papers on approaches to heritage studies
  • Written exercises on texts and displays
  • Research projects on heritage display and management
  • Practical assignments on developing heritage displays
  • Oral presentations
  • Class participation and group work

    Summative assessment:

    Extended essays that draw together theoretical and practical concerns.
    Written examinations

    Integrated assessment:

    The integrated assessment of the Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies includes measurement of foundational, practical and reflective competencies, taught through formative course work. The student is required to complete a series of exercises that serve to integrate theoretical and practical skills learned during the year.
    In all assignments and practical work performance will be assessed on the basis of the student's ability to (1) organise ideas and facts logically and coherently; (2) anticipate the responses and objections of an imagined reader and/or viewer; (3) incorporate relevant technical data into descriptive and argumentative writing; (4) cite references accurately and consistently; (5) draw upon a range of practical examples to sustain and develop arguments; (6) solve problems in the curation and management of heritage.

    At the summative assessment of the programme the student produces an extended paper which demonstrates the capacity for independent thought and theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject and of the scholarly literature. The following are integral parts of the extended paper:

    1. Analysis, synthesis, handling of concepts, identifying and questioning assumptions, problem solving
    2. Clarity in communication, succinctness in presentation and proficiency in referencing
    3. Mastery of texts or information, engaging with different points of view, tracing relationships and showing relevance
    4. Displaying independent learning
    5. An awareness of ethical and moral implications 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1) Vertical:
    Masters

    2) Horizontal:
    Honours
    Diploma at level 6

    Entry point:
    Masters - automatic entrance - 70% or more as final grade; entrance at discretion of respective academic department - 65-69% as final grade

    Honours - credits may be transferable at the discretion of the respective academic department

    Diploma at level 6 - credits may be transferable at the discretion of the respective academic department

    Entry to this qualification in mid-stream:
    Credits from Honours programmes and Diploma level 6 may be transferable to the Post-Graduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Studies at the discretion of the Convening Committee of the Post-Graduate Diploma

    Exit from qualification in mid-stream:
    No formal credit is given for modules of the course completed, but the department may furnish written confirmation of work completed

    Other higher education programmes, articulating with this qualification:
    This work may be recognized by another institution in part fulfilment towards a similar post-graduate degree or diploma in heritage studies. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The Universities of Cape Town and the Western Cape have a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. This system of peer review is extended through the universities to the Robben Island Training Programme. All courses that form part of the Diploma are externalled by either academic staff at universities or senior practitioners in the heritage sector. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the universities of Cape Town, Western Cape and the Robben Island Training Programme will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance of the universities. An assessor will have at least an Honours or a Masters degree in the appropriate subject. 

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

    NOTES 
    University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape and Robben Island Museum 

    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 the Western Cape 


    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.