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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Finance Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
71819  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Finance Management 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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:
  • Provide learners with the knowledge, understanding, skills and application techniques that they need to be successful in their work as qualified financial managers in the public sector.
  • Provide the employer with lifelong learners who are confident and independent, literate, numerate, multi-skilled, compassionate, with a respect for the environment and the ability to participate in their work as critical and active employees.
  • Provide the public sector with professionally qualified, skilled staff, which are able to make a positive contribution to improving financial management in the public sector, to add value to their departments and to contribute to the efficiency and productivity of the government of South Africa.

    Rationale:

    The proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Public Finance Management (120 credits) is aimed at addressing a critical need to enhance and professionalise public sector finance management. It is aimed at allowing graduates who are employed in municipal, provincial and national finance management positions and have completed the National Treasury Certificate in Municipal Finance Management (compulsory for all municipal finance officers in terms of National Treasury Regulations) or the Institute of Public Finance and Auditing (IPFA) Certificate in Public Finance Management and Certificate in Public Finance and Auditing, access into the Master in Public Management (MPA) with specialisation in public finance management.

    Students are either mid-career or interns sponsored by departments who are taking up this opportunity to engage with full time study for one year in order to professionalise their career as public sector finance specialists. Both the content and modes of presentation are modularised to ensure an integrated teaching and practice learning approach. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    See Access to the Qualification below.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Assessment of Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of the intended programme is formalised in that participants must pass the assessment of the entry requirements.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Baccalaureus Degree with Accounting on third year level as well as successful completion of the IPFA Post-graduate Certificate in Public Sector Financial Management or other similar accredited courses. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Fundamental; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits.
    Core; NQF Level 8; 60 Credits.
    Elective; NQF Level 8; 0 Credits;

    Total; 120 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit-Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria:

    The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate an understanding and application of:
  • Financial and performance reporting functions.
  • Accounting and decision making functions.
  • Strategic management and leadership functions.
  • information technology resources. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment

    University policy on internal and external moderation, as well as Institute of Public Finance and Auditing oversight.
    Reports are consolidated in a report to the dean and these reports clearly indicate problem areas and recommendations for improvement. The implementation of improvements and their impact are reported on in the next year's report. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Name of programme or Qualification; University where offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    With the preceding Qualification:

    Baccalaureus Degree with Accounting on third year level as well as successful completion of the Institute of Public Finance and Auditing Post-graduate Certificate in Public Sector Financial Management or other similar accredited courses.

    Is the preceding qualification offered at Stellenbosch University?
    Yes.

    At the Exit Level:

    This programme is on the level of the Honours Programme in Public and Development Management, but with specialisation in public sector finance management.

    With the next level Qualification:

    This programme will provide an alternative access to the Master Programme in Public and Development Management, where the public sector finance specialisation will be continued by means of electives and the focus of the thesis. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    University policy on internal and external moderation, as well as Institute of Public Finance and Auditing oversight.
    Reports are consolidated in a report to the dean and these reports clearly indicate problem areas and recommendations for improvement. The implementation of improvements and their impact are reported on in the next year's report. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Stellenbosch 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.