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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
71633  Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 
Purpose:

The Exit Level Outcomes indicated in paragraph 8 below and repeated here for ease of reference indicate what a student should know and should be able to do after completing this qualification:
  • Describe the working of the economic system in both its micro and its macro settings and what the effect on financial planning is.
  • Describe and analyze the regulatory environment in which the financial planner operates.
  • Describe and analyze the taxation environment in which the financial planner works.
  • Draw up each of an investment plan, an estate plan, a retirement plan and an insurance plan for an individual and will also be able to identify the risks and uncertainties to which the individual's financial matters are exposed.
  • Draw up a risk management plan for an individual taking into account the risks and uncertainties applicable to that person Students will be able to read and to interpret the financial statements of all forms of enterprise from sole proprietorships to public companies.
  • Plan financially according to the analyses made of financial statements for the insurance needs of enterprises and for the financial implications of employee benefit schemes.
  • Draw up a financial plan for a business enterprise irrespective of its form of enterprise in which an analysis of the financial statements makes a cornerstone contribution to the plan drawn up for the insurance needs of the enterprise and the plan for the financial implications of the employee benefit schemes.

    There is a significant skills shortage in Southern Africa in the financial planning and insurance fields as determined by research conducted by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA). The offering of this post-graduate diploma is designed to global education standards in order to meet the skills shortage identified.

    Rationale:

    The qualification will be the highest professional qualification in this field available in South Africa and will contribute to the professional competency of financial planners which will consequently make them eligible for professional membership of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa and for accreditation as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). The CPF professional designation is internationally recognized as the pinnacle of educational achievement in financial planning. The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) is a global body which owns the CFPmark. In South Africa the Financial Planning Institute is the gatekeeper to the professional accreditation of the CFP. There is a significant skills shortage in Southern Africa in the financial planning and insurance fields as determined by research conducted by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA). The offering of this Post-Graduate Diploma is designed to meet the skills shortage identified above according to global education standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    One of the following:
  • Appropriate bachelors degree.
  • Appropriate NQF Level 6 Qualification.
  • Approval from the Dean of the Faculty should appropriate prior learning and experience be demonstrated by the applicant.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Each case will be adjudicated on its own merits and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty. The university's evolving policy in this regard will at all times be adhered to.

    Access to the Qualification:

    One of the following is required as an entrance qualification for admission:
  • Appropriate Bachelors Degree.
  • Appropriate NQF Level 6 Qualification.
  • Approval from the Dean of the Business and Economic Sciences Faculty should appropriate prior learning and experience be demonstrated by the applicant. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning components Core only; Number of Credits allocated; NQF Level.
  • Financial Planning Environment ; 30 Credits ; NQF Level 7.
  • Personal Financial Planning; 30 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Corporate Financial Planning; 30 Credits; NQF Level 7.
  • Case Study; 30 Credits; NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    a. Describe the working of the economic system in both its micro and its macro settings and what the effect on financial planning is.

    b. Describe and analyze the regulatory environment in which the financial planner operates.

    c. Describe and analyze the taxation environment in which the financial planner works.

    d. Draw up each of an investment plan, an estate plan, a retirement plan and an insurance plan for an individual and will also be able to identify the risks and uncertainties to which the individual's financial matters are exposed.

    e. Draw up a risk management plan for an individual taking into account the risks and uncertainties applicable to that person Students will be able to read and to interpret the financial statements of all forms of enterprise from sole proprietorships to public companies.

    f. Plan financially according to the analyses made of financial statements for the insurance needs of enterprises and for the financial implications of employee benefit schemes.

    g. Financial plan for a business enterprise irrespective of its form of enterprise in which an analysis of the financial statements makes a cornerstone contribution to the plan drawn up for the insurance needs of the enterprise and the plan for the financial implications of the employee benefit schemes.

    The above Exit Level Outcomes and their Assessment can be broken down per module as follows:

    1. Module; The Financial Planning Environment:

    Purpose:
  • To provide students with a sound knowledge of the regulatory environment and the regulatory legislation pertaining to both personal and corporate financial planning as well as a sound background to the working of the economic system in which financial planning takes place and is regulated. An ethical approach to financial planning and to taxation is to be inculcated with students.

    Outcomes:
  • Describe the working of the economic system in both its micro and its macro settings and what the effect on financial planning is. Students will be able to describe and analyze the regulatory environment in which the financial planner operates. Students will be able to describe and analyze the taxation environment in which the financial planner works.

    2. Module; Personal Financial Planning:

    Purpose:
  • To provide students with a sound knowledge of how individuals should go about their personal investment planning, estate planning, retirement planning and how to optimize their insurance portfolios and minimize their personal financial risk.

    Outcomes:
  • Draw up each of an investment plan, an estate plan, a retirement plan and an insurance plan for an individual and will also be able to identify the risks and uncertainties to which the individual's financial matters are exposed. Students will be able to draw up a risk management plan for an individual taking into account the risks and uncertainties applicable to that person.

    3. Module; Corporate Financial Planning:

    Purpose:
  • To provide students with a sound knowledge of how to read and interpret financial statements of business enterprises and to understand how financial planning is related to the results of such readings and interpretations. To enable students to plan the insurance needs of business enterprises. To enable students to plan for the financial implications of employee benefit schemes.

    Outcomes:
  • Read and interpret the financial statements of all forms of enterprise from sole proprietorships to public companies and plan financially according to the analyses made of financial statements for the insurance needs of enterprises and for the financial implications of employee benefit schemes.

    4. Module; Case Study:

    Purpose:
  • To enable students to apply practically the knowledge of the first three modules to individual cases of personal and of corporate financial planning.

    Outcomes:
  • Draw up a financial plan for an individual or for a business enterprise in which the financial planning environment is incorporated into personal investment planning, estate planning, retirement planning, insurance planning and a personal risk management plan. Students can draw up a financial plan for a business enterprise irrespective of its form of enterprise in which an analysis of the financial statements makes a cornerstone contribution to the plan drawn up for the insurance needs of the enterprise and the plan for the financial implications of the employee benefit schemes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:

    Theoretical assessment:

    Module names:
  • EBF401, EBF402 and EB403.

    Assessment methods:
  • Continuous assessment involves written assignments submitted as well as tests on sections of the work completed to demonstrate the degree of students' grasp of the work done during contact sessions. A final formal written examination of four hours per module will be conducted.

    Practical assessment:

    Module name:
  • EBF404.

    Assessment methods:
  • One four hour assessment is done in which students must draw up a financial plan for either an individual or for a corporate. This assessment will integrate the knowledge gained in the other modules.

    Integrated assessment:

    Module name:
  • EBF404.

    Assessment methods:
  • One four hour assessment is done in which students must draw up a financial plan for either an individual or for a corporate. This assessment will integrate the knowledge gained in the other modules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The CFP accreditation is internationally audited by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB). In South Africa, the local representative for the FPSB is the Financial Planning Institute (FPI). These two bodies are gatekeepers to the qualifications resulting in the award of the CFPdesignation. In the USA there are approximately 200 universities offering a post graduate qualification leading to the award of the CFP designation. The qualifications leading to the CFP designation are also offered at a number of educational institutions in Europe and Australasia. The FPSB requires certain knowledge domains and core competencies to be incorporated in all programmes leading to the CFP designation being awarded to successful graduates. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Diploma will give access to studies for a master's degree in the same field. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University's normal policy for the appointment of lecturers and thus of assessors applies. As this is an Exit Level Qualification all final assessments will be subjected to external moderation in which case moderators are appointed in terms of the University's relevant policy. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.