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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education in Teaching and Learning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86166  Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education in Teaching and Learning 
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 05 - Education, Training and Development  Higher Education and Training 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  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:

Learning in higher education extends beyond subject expertise to personal and social development and critical thinking. Learning should help individuals develop the intellectual, personal and social resources that will enable them to participate as active citizens and contribute to economic, social or community development and flourish as individuals in a diverse and changing society.

The Postgraduate Diploma: Higher Education: Teaching and Learning aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning in higher education. Learners will reflect and address key issues in their practice as informed by theories of teaching and learning. This qualification offers the learners (university teachers) an opportunity to enhance their own teaching practice by examining and applying various teaching and learning approaches. The qualification will also equip learners with the knowledge, academic leadership and management skills to supervise and monitor postgraduates in higher education.

Rationale:

There is a need for different forms of support for teaching and learning to establish interventions both nationally and regionally, to improve the quality of education. Teaching, learning and research in higher education offers a combination of critical perspectives and practical advice that is suited for individuals interested in enhancing their practice through analysis and critique. The Postgraduate Diploma: Higher Education: Teaching and Learning (PGDHETL) aims to provide a coherent educational programme for teaching in the South African higher education sectors. This PGDHETL utilises current thinking and research methods to advance reflection and development in teaching practice. The aim is to promote a critical self-understanding of practices which foster personal and professional development through engagement with the environment and personal circumstances. At a practical level, this means reflecting continuously and improving current teaching practice rather than following a prescribed approach derived from any particular educational theory. In addition, successful learners can further their educational studies by progressing to Masters Degrees in Higher Education (both general and specialised), regionally and nationally. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners who register for this Degree have a minimum of two years' teaching experience in Higher Education and/or must be appointed in a teaching-related post.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning can be used to grant:
  • Access to learners who do not meet the admission requirements.
  • Credits for modules.

    Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to University policy.

    Access to the Qualification:

    Access is open to learners with a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification approved for this purpose by Senate.

    Learners who do not meet the minimum admission requirements may apply for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of three Compulsory modules of 30 credits each, and one of six Electives worth 30 credits.

    Compulsory modules:
  • Teaching and learning.
  • Assessment.
  • Research for enhancing Teaching and Learning.

    Elective modules (Choose one):
  • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Teaching and Learning.
  • Service Learning in Community Engagement.
  • Citizenship, Social Inclusion and Difference.
  • Academic Leadership and Management.
  • Work and Learning.
  • Postgraduate Supervision. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of teaching and learning in higher education and in related areas of specialisation.

    2. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of teaching and learning in higher education.

    3. Critique current research and make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence from advanced scholarship in teaching and learning.

    4. Select and use a range of research methodologies and techniques to address research in teaching and learning.

    5. Demonstrate efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills, using appropriate ICTs for teaching and learning in higher education.

    6. Apply research techniques to gain further understanding about difference, inclusion and citizenship in higher education and own teaching and learning context.

    7. Present and communicate academic/professional ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering professional insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to teaching and learning in higher education.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification allows all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner:

    1. Analyse own teaching and learning constantly to improve teaching practice.
    2. Identify and address complex problems in teaching and learning, using a range of skills and theory-driven arguments.
    3. Analyse research findings and relate them to educational practice.
    4. Evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative data to engage with current research in teaching and learning in higher education.
    5. Identify the relationship between teaching and research.
    6. Understand and apply the key requirements for building sustainable collaborative relations in the higher education environment.
    7. Apply selected research approaches for research purposes to enhance educational practice.
    8. Design and develop technology-enhanced learning interventions using technology suitable to the context.
    9. Demonstrate and apply understanding of current approaches towards difference, inclusion and citizenship in relation to own teaching and learning context.
    10. Work effectively with peers and engage in conversation about educational research for change within the teaching and learning context.
    11. Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and integrated knowledge of teaching and learning in higher education and a depth of knowledge in related areas of specialisation.
    12. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles, scope, theories and epistemologies of teaching and learning in higher education.
    13. Critique current research and advanced scholarship in teaching and learning and make sound theoretical judgments based on evidence.
    14. Understand a range of research methodologies and methods/techniques and a select these appropriate for research problem/s in teaching and learning.
    15. Identify, analyse and address complex problems in teaching and learning, using a range of routine and some advanced skills, conceptual and/or evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
    16. Demonstrate efficient and effective information retrieval and processing skills, using appropriate ICTs for teaching and learning in higher education.
    17. Identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative data, and to engage with and evaluate current research and scholarly or professional literature in teaching and learning in higher education.
    18. Present and communicate academic/professional ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering professional insights, interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to teaching and learning in higher education.

    Integrated Assessment:

    For learners to graduate, they should achieve a minimum of 50% for each module.

    Modules will be assessed through the use of a variety of assessment methods, including essays, the development of a video. Every module has components of both formative and summative assessment and detailed and timely feedback is provided to the learner. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Internationally a Postgraduate Diploma: Higher Education: Teaching and Learning is offered by universities such as:
  • Oxford University in Oxford, United Kingdom.
  • University College Cork in Ireland.
  • Asia University in Malaysia.
  • Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.

    This qualification, similar to those offered by the institutions mentioned above and by most universities globally, aims to promote improvement of teaching and learning which will impact positively in developing the country socially and economically. They contain similar course material and a research component. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal and external moderation will be conducted according to all the institutions' moderation policies. External moderation is done by an approved external examiner who assesses submissions to ensure that assessment is fair and consistent. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    To qualify as an assessor an individual must:
  • Have a relevant Higher Education qualification (Masters Degree or a Doctor of Philosophy with relevance in Higher education) at least one level higher than the course being assessed.
  • Be qualified and experienced as an assessor.
  • Be the tutor responsible for that particular module. 
    		•

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

    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.