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 Engineering Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86326  Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering 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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
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:

Engineers start their careers as trainees, then become professional engineers and eventually either become specialised engineers or managers. When they become managers, they either manage organisations as a whole, or they manage other engineers and/or technical organisations. These engineering managers need to be confident decision makers with respect to the evaluation and acquisition of engineering expertise.

Furthermore, graduates who wish to move into technical management careers need specific management skills in order to succeed in these specialised environments. The qualification will provide the working professional with the necessary knowledge to undertake advanced reflection and development as engineering managers.

More specifically the qualification will provide the learner with the capability of:
  • Assessing management initiatives within a technical environment.
  • Planning management initiatives within a technical environment.
  • Implementing management initiatives within a technical environment.
  • Maintaining management initiatives within a technical environment.
  • Planning, conducting and finalising a research project within the context of Engineering Management.

    Rationale:

    There is a continuous need of properly trained engineers who can manage various types of projects for their organisations and who can lead technological innovation and organisational change. The primary purpose of a Postgraduate Diploma is to enable engineering professionals to develop in areas required for professional purposes, most often wider than their original field of specialisation and in order to be more effective in the workplace.

    Due to the growth in engineering projects in Southern Africa and the world, and a shortage of qualified engineering managers, there is a huge demand for these persons in a wide variety of industries.

    Industry in turn, needs technical managers with advanced knowledge and skills in order to contribute to infra-structure and economic growth, to the benefit of the community at large. It has been established that many employers are keen to support their employees/learners, financially or otherwise, to be equipped as engineering managers. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in the knowledge, skills and values associated with a Bachelors Degree at NQF Level 7.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The Recognition of Prior Learning for the Postgraduate Diploma: Engineering Management, NQF Level 8, may be used to:
  • Grant admission to learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
  • Grant learners credits towards the achievement of the qualification.

    Access to the Qualification:

    To gain access to this qualification learners require:
  • An appropriate Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Engineering Degree.
    OR
  • An equivalent recognised tertiary qualification.

    Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirement for admission can be admitted on the basis of a portfolio of recognised comparable competencies, knowledge and experience. Recognition of Prior Learning applications are considered by a departmental committee within the guidelines of the Faculty and the University. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learners need to complete:
  • All 7 Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 84 credits.
  • One Optional Module at NQF Level 8, totalling 8 credits.
  • Any one other Postgraduate Module at NQF Level 8, totalling 30 credits, offered by the University and approved by the Faculty.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Engineering Statistics, 12 Credits.
  • Engineering Economy, 12 Credits.
  • Production Management, 12 Credits.
  • Operations Research, 12 Credits.
  • Project Management, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Engineering Management, 12 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 12 Credits.

    Electives Modules - Choose one:
  • Systems Engineering, 8 Credits.
  • Systems Architecture, 8 Credits.
  • Health Systems Engineering, 8 Credits.
  • Supply Chain Measurement and Management, 8 Credits.
  • Programming for Managers, 8 Credits.
  • Literature Study 1, 8 Credits.
  • Literature Study 2, 8 Credits.
  • Workplace Portfolio 1, 8 Credits.
  • Workplace Portfolio 2, 8 Credits.

    Plus one other Module for 30 Credits, approved by the University and the Engineering Faculty for this qualification at the time of enrolment.

    Total: 122 Credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Assess management initiatives within a technical environment.

    2. Plan management initiatives within a technical environment.

    3. Implement management initiatives within a technical environment.

    4. Maintain management initiatives within a technical environment.

    5. Plan, conduct and finalise a research project within the context of Engineering Management.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    This qualification aims to address all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The role of managers as decision makers is explained in terms of requiring managerial input and judgement.
    > Range: Managers include Financial, Project, Production, Operations and Engineering.
  • Basic financial statements, including a Du Pont analysis, are analysed and explained for a company.
  • The basic concepts and background of operational and production management are explained.
  • Probability theory is explained.
  • The net present value (NPV) is explained as the basic concept underlying corporate finance.
  • Contemporary policies and approaches specific to South Africa are explained.
  • Free cash flow is calculated for a company.
  • Statistical techniques are used to analyse data.
  • Optimisation problems are identified for operations research.
  • The different and divergent business areas, in general, are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A new project is structured within an appropriate organisation type.
  • Optimisation problems are formulated for operations research.
  • A project is planned using a budget and work breakdown structure (WBS) which incorporates risk management.
  • The project is scheduled using time, resources and cost.
    > Range: Scheduling includes critical path method (CPM) and programme evaluation and review techniques (PERT).
  • Time-cost trade-offs are completed for the project.
  • The requirements from divergent and separate entities and the integration required is explained.
    > Range: Divergent and separate entities may include departments, cost points and profit centres.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The complexities of company valuations are explained.
  • Capital budgeting techniques are explained and applied.
  • Optimisation problems are solved for operations research.
  • Fundamental operations and production management relationships are derived using basic mathematics.
  • Correct contract types are used to procure project resources.
  • The principles of general and technical management are explained.
  • The basics of people management is explained.
    > Range: People management includes industrial legislation and labour relations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A financial project analysis and evaluation is completed.
  • Statistical Techniques are used to solve engineering problems.
  • Optimisation problems are verified for operations research.
  • Scientific techniques are applied on operations production management type problems.
  • The project is controlled using techniques.
    > Range: Techniques include Earned Value Analysis and Critical Ratios.
  • Activities are prioritised, planned and managed within a project.
  • Software programmes are used to execute a full project.
  • The impact of technology and knowledge management is articulated from a systems development perspective with an organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • A survey of relevant literature is conducted to engage in a topic being researched.
  • Appropriate referencing method is used.
  • A research argument is formulated.
  • Appropriate data gathering methods are selected and used.
  • Research ethics are followed and applied to research.
  • A research proposal is compiled.
  • Research findings are presented to an audience of peers.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Learners' progress is monitored and a learner centred approach is followed and assessment in the qualification is aligned with the University's Assessment Policy. However, the exact assessment methods are closely related to the design of each Module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The purpose of this International Comparability study is to facilitate the development of a meaningful qualification and its associated curriculum, incorporating both theoretical and practical vocational skills which will ensure compatibility, comparability and compliance with existing international qualifications.

    This Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management was compared with other Engineering Management qualifications in India, Malaysia and New Zealand.

    India: Indian Institute for production Management (IIPM): Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management:

    Modules:
  • Operations Management.
  • Strategic Management.
  • Financial Management.
  • Supply Chain Management.
  • Quality Management.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Project and Safety Management.
  • Industrial Project Maintenance Management.
  • Quantitative Methods.
  • Human Resource Management.
  • Principle and Practices Management.

    The Indian Institute for Production Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management is very similar, yet has additional Modules contained in it, such as Marketing Management and Safety Management. It is obvious that the IIPM qualification is designed for the further professional development of engineers through the provision of information from other disciplines that could be needed by engineering managers. The other major difference is that they do not offer 'Elective' Modules and the learner must do all the subjects.

    Malaysia: Universiti Putra Malaysia: Master of Engineering Management (Without Thesis):

    Compulsory Courses (3 Credits each):
  • Total Quality Management.
  • Industrial Marketing Management.
  • Manufacturing Operations Management.
  • Industrial Organisation Management.
  • Management Decision Making.
  • Business Accounting.
  • Industrial Safety, Health and Environment Management.
  • Manufacturing Project Management.

    Elective Courses (Select 2) (3 Credits each):
  • Emergency Risk Management.
  • Information Engineering Management.
  • Advance Manufacturing Technology and Processes.
  • Finite Element in Computer Aided Engineering.
  • Computer application in Manufacturing System.
  • Automation and Robotics.
  • Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Laboratory (1 Credit).
  • Industrial Ergonomics.
  • Maintenance Management Systems.

    The majority of the Units offered in the above Malaysian institution articulate fairly well to the competencies contained in this South African Qualification. However, the credit values are quite different but both are 1 year in duration. The other major difference is that the Universiti Putra Malaysia is offering a 'Masters' without a Thesis, whereas the South African qualification is Postgraduate Diploma, aimed at assisting the learners to gain access to a Masters Degree by including a substantial research component.

    New Zealand: University of Canterbury: Engineering Management:

    Individual Courses:
  • Financial Accounting and Management Accounting.
  • Economics and Finance.
  • Business Law, Intellectual Property Law and Human Resources/Organisational Behaviour.
  • Innovation/Technology Management, Project Management, quality Systems Management and Maintenance Management.
  • Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Practical Sales and Marketing and Strategic IT.
  • Systems Engineering, Strategic Management, Operations Management and Technology Commercialisation.
  • Management M.E Project.

    The University of Canterbury Courses in content, compared favourably to the South African Postgraduate Diploma Modules, however they are individual courses with a Certificate at the end and not a Postgraduate Diploma leading to a Masters Degree. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

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

    Vertical Articulation:

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

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Moderation acts as a valuable source of data into the continued relevance of the qualification and its content. The examination and assignments will be moderated by an external moderator. The programme will be continually evaluated by the lecturers, and also as part of the 5-yearly external peer evaluation of the Department.
  • Assessment will be consistent with the University's policies for formative and summative assessment. The programme coordinator will ensure that appropriate assessment criteria and methods are used, that integrated assessment takes place that the outcomes of the programme are achieved, that the lecturers are sufficiently qualified in terms of training and experience, and that learner feedback is taken into account in further developing the programme. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an Assessor for this qualification, they should:
  • Hold at least a relevant Master's qualification, at NQF Level 9.
  • Have experience in inter-personal skills, in the subject matter of the qualification and in assessment.
  • Be competent in the planning and conducting of assessment of learning outcomes and in the design and development of assessment.
  • Have subject matter experience within the field of Engineering Management. 
    		•

    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. University of Stellenbosch 


    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.