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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Public Administration Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86346  Bachelor of Public Administration Honours 
ORIGINATOR
MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
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  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
79206  Bachelor of Public Administration Honours  Level 7  NQF Level 08  130  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Public Administration Honours qualification is to prepare learners for leadership and management roles within the public sector by equipping them with the skills necessary to address complex governance challenges. Learners will learn to analyse public sector issues, formulate and implement public policies, and manage resources within the constraints of public sector policies and legislation, which are encapsulated in the exit-level outcomes. This qualification is targeted at individuals aspiring to build or advance their careers in public administration. Learners will want to complete this qualification to enhance their understanding of public administration in a South African context, where they can directly contribute to the development of a capable state as outlined in the National Development Plan 2030 (Department of Higher Education and Training, 2019). By acquiring these advanced skills, learners benefit as they can improve their employability and effectiveness in public sector positions, ranging from local to national government roles.

Upon completion of the qualification, graduates will be equipped with a strong foundation in public sector problem-solving, enabling them to identify, analyse, and creatively address issues within local, regional, and national government contexts. Graduates will understand the critical role of policymaking in governmental development and appreciate how policies shape the structures and strategies across different spheres of government. Graduates will be skilled in managing public resources, applying processes that align with policies, procedures, and legislation, ensuring efficient resource allocation to meet public needs effectively. The qualification fosters an ethical and responsible approach to navigating socio-economic challenges, emphasising accountability in decision-making and the importance of public service in addressing South Africa's developmental needs. Graduates will be able to manage resources efficiently, ensuring compliance with legislation and thereby contributing to policy-making processes at local, provincial, and national government levels and implementing policies that respond to socio-economic issues. The qualification is structured to ensure that all responsibilities listed in the qualification are explicitly covered by relevant modules, Exit Level Outcomes (ELOs), and Associated Assessment Criteria (AACs).

The graduate attributes identified below demonstrate the competencies the leaner will possess upon completion of the modules and assessments within the qualification. The below qualification graduate attributes align to the institution's Graduate Attributes of communication skills, artificial intelligence and data literacy, critical thinking, ethical awareness, interpersonal skills, innovation and entrepreneurship. Graduates will be able to:
  • Solve problems creatively by generating innovative solutions to challenges in public and organisational contexts.
  • Apply analytical and critical thinking skills to assess policies, processes, and outcomes effectively.
  • Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing, across public and private sectors.
  • Lead and collaborate with teams to foster leadership and teamwork, driving collective success.
  • Conduct rigorous research to support evidence-based decision-making and policy development.
  • Employ strategic thinking and innovation to develop forward-looking solutions for organisational and societal challenges.
  • Promote cultural competency and inclusivity by respecting diversity and fostering an equitable working environment.
  • Adapt and embrace lifelong learning to thrive in evolving professional and global landscapes.

    The purpose of the qualification is encapsulated in the qualification's exit-level outcomes, which align to the South African Qualifications Authority National Qualifications Framework competencies for an NQF Level 8 qualification. Upon completion of the qualification, graduates will be able to:
  • Apply advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of how to manage resources and processes in a public sector context.
  • Communicate in written forms, public administration ideas, policies, and decisions with professionalism and accountability.
  • Critically analyse how policymaking contributes to the development of government at the local, regional and national levels.
  • Evaluate public sector problems in a systematic and creative way.
  • Propose solutions to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa in an ethical and responsible manner.

    Upon completion of the qualification, graduates can aspire to the following positions:
  • Public Official.
  • City Manager.
  • Municipal Manager Public Service Manager.
  • Managers in Quasi-autonomous Institutions.
  • Policy Analyst.
  • Public Finance Manager.

    In conclusion, the qualification is designed to prepare learners for leadership roles within the South African public sector by providing them with the analytical, managerial, and policy-making skills necessary to address complex governance and socio-economic challenges. Graduates will gain expertise in public sector problem-solving, resource management, and policy development, ensuring they are capable of contributing ethically and effectively across local, provincial, and national government spheres. The qualification cultivates essential graduate attributes such as ethical decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability, which align with South Africa's National Development Plan 2030 goals to build a capable state.

    Rationale:
    The qualification was developed in response to a clear and growing need for advanced skills and competencies within the public administration and governance sectors of South Africa (Mkhonza, and Letsoalo, 2017; Swiss South African Cooperation Initiative, 2024). As the government and public sector institutions grapple with increasingly complex administrative, financial, and governance challenges, there is a pressing need for a qualification that can produce professionals equipped to manage these demands efficiently. Public administration as a discipline is evolving, with new demands placed on professionals to navigate regulatory frameworks, develop and implement policy, and drive service delivery in an accountable and transparent manner (Cloete and De Coning, 2020). The qualification is unique in its focus on preparing graduates for advanced roles in public administration. Furthermore, after reviewing the current offerings on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), no equivalent qualification that adequately addresses these advanced needs has been identified, thereby justifying the development of this qualification.

    The qualification responds to the National Development Plan 2030 (Department of Higher Education and Training, 2019), which highlights the importance of building a capable state through the professionalisation of public service (European Commission, 2021). This qualification will benefit the public sector by providing a pipeline of highly qualified professionals who can contribute to the efficient and ethical functioning of government institutions, because South Africa's public service faces multiple challenges (Chili, Akbar, Nyika, and Mbonye, 2023). Society stands to gain from improved public service delivery, accountability, and transparency, while the economy will benefit from public institutions that are better managed and more responsive to the needs of citizens (Burger and Fourie, 2019). The qualification also aligns with national strategies to promote good governance and sustainable development, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of South Africa's socio-economic landscape (Vyas-Doorgapersad, 2022).

    The qualification is designed for individuals who are passionate about public service and aspire to play a leadership role in the public sector. The typical learner for this qualification includes recent graduates of public administration or related fields seeking to deepen their knowledge, as well as mid-career professionals currently employed in public administration, governance, or policymaking who wish to advance their careers. This qualification also appeals to individuals working in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or international organisations that interact with public institutions and require a nuanced understanding of governance and public administration. Learners enrolled on this qualification are more readily able to relate their learning to the practical management context and thus enhance their knowledge and reflective competencies. Offering the qualification via a distance learning basis provides wider access to the qualification, particularly for learners in rural and outlying areas who do not have access to quality higher education qualifications.

    The qualification prepares learners for careers in government departments, public enterprises, NGOs, and international agencies where public administration expertise is essential.
    Upon completion of the qualification, graduates will be qualified for roles such as:
  • Public Official.
  • City Manager.
  • Municipal Manager.
  • Public Service Manager.
  • Managers in Quasi-autonomous Institutions.
  • Policy Analyst.
  • Public Finance Manager.

    The qualification offers a clear vertical learning pathway, enabling learners to pursue further studies at the postgraduate level. The qualification articulates horizontally, vertically, and diagonally with a range of public administration qualifications offered by institutions both internationally and locally across the country. Upon completion of the qualification, learners can progress to a master's qualification, and ultimately to a doctorate-level qualification. These advanced qualifications will allow graduates to specialise further in their areas of interest, such as public policy, public finance, or local government management. The qualification also provides a structured career pathway, positioning graduates for advanced roles within the public sector. The qualification enables mobility within government institutions, allowing graduates to advance from operational roles to managerial and strategic leadership positions. Moreover, the qualification equips learners with the competencies required to pursue further specialisation or leadership roles, contributing to their career progression in the public service or in public-sector-focused NGOs and international organisations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution recognises the important role that the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) plays in ensuring equitable access and participation in Higher Education. In this process, non-formal and/or informal learning are measured, evaluated, and checked for equivalence or parity with the formal qualification entry requirements. The RPL assessment process will focus on ways of evaluating a person's knowledge and skills acquired through lifelong learning experiences (formal, non-formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

    RPL for access:
    Assesses whether a candidate's prior experience and learning meet the entry requirements for a qualification, enabling them to be accepted into the qualification. In contrast, RPL for credits and/or exemptions evaluates if this prior learning can be counted towards specific modules within the qualification, potentially shortening the duration or reducing the coursework required. Essentially, RPL for admission determines eligibility for entry, while RPL for credits and exemptions grants academic credit or module exemptions based on previous learning.

    All RPL applications are subject to evaluation by the RPL committee. No more than 10% of a cohort will be admitted into the qualification based on RPL. It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of a portfolio of evidence. Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess applicants for selection purposes.

    Awarding of Credits:
    The following standard applies:
    Credits are awarded for individual modules if, in the opinion of the assessors, the applicant has satisfied at least 80% similarity of the outcomes or meets all or most of the outcomes to determine the suitability of being admitted into the qualification. Credit will only be awarded if the applicant passed the module with a 50% or above pass mark with a 12-credit and above. Credits will also be given through Recognition of Prior Learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. Assessment for Credit Accumulation Transfer (CAT) is conducted using the portfolio of evidence (PoE) submitted by the applicant. The maximum amount of 'specific' credit granted is 50% and credits may only be accumulated for modules, which are prescribed within the structure of a named award.

    RPL for admission assesses whether a candidate's prior experience and learning meet the entry requirements for a qualification, enabling them to be accepted into the qualification. In contrast, RPL for credits and/or exemptions evaluates if this prior learning can be counted towards specific modules within the qualification, potentially shortening the duration or reducing the coursework required. Essentially, RPL for admission determines eligibility for entry, while RPL for credits and exemptions grants academic credit or module exemptions based on previous learning. All RPL applications are subject to evaluation by the Admissions and Selections Recognition of Prior Learning Committee.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Public Administration, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Advanced Diploma in Public Administration, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits.
  • Planning and Policy Analysis in the Public Sector, 15 Credits.
  • Politics in the Public Sector, 15 Credits.
  • Theory and Science of Public Administration, 15 Credits.
  • Management of Public and Municipal Finance, 15 Credits.
  • Leadership in the Public Sector, 15 Credits.
  • Research Report, 30 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of how to manage resources and processes in a public sector context.
    2. Communicate in written forms, public administration ideas, policies, and decisions with professionalism and accountability.
    3. Critically analyse how policymaking contributes to the development of government at the local, regional and national levels.
    4. Evaluate public sector problems in a systematic and creative way.
    5. Propose solutions to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa in an ethical and responsible manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply core management functions to effectively optimise public sector operations.
  • Analyse legislative requirements and principles for public resource management to evaluate compliance within the public sector.
  • Apply public budgeting and financial administration processes to develop sound financial control within public sector institutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Analyse public administration ideas and research findings in a written report to understand academic standards and Harvard referencing style.
  • Present policy recommendations and strategic decisions in formal written assessments and research reports to demonstrate professional clarity and accountability.
  • Outline strategies for managing public sector challenges to illustrate professionalism and accountability.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Analyse key policymaking theories and models are analysed to determine their influence on government decision-making and implementation.
  • Evaluate constraints and challenges that limit policy change are evaluated to develop strategies for effective governance.
  • Examine policy decisions are examined across local, regional, and national spheres to understand their contribution to government effectiveness and accountability.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse public sector problems are systematically analysed by breaking them down into components to understand their root causes.
  • Apply innovative strategies for organisational change are applied to solve problems related service delivery.
  • Evaluate alternative solutions for public sector management issues to develop recommendations for efficient public sector operations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Investigate socio-economic problems to understand challenges and identify opportunities for ethical and responsible solutions.
  • Practical policy solutions for social challenges are formulated to align with ethical principles and responsible resource management.
  • Evaluate proposed solutions to socio-economic challenges against standards of public service ethics and professional conduct to explain principles of public service integrity and professionalism.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The institution's Assessment Strategy is aligned to the Council on Higher Education Accreditation Criteria (2012), the National Policy and Criteria for Designing and Implementing Assessment for NQF Qualifications and Part-Qualifications and Professional Designations in South Africa (SAQA, 2014).

    Integrated assessment at the institution requires careful consideration to implement formative and summative assessment methods which offer an inclusive and holistic view of learners ' learning. Assessments are aligned with the pre-defined learning outcomes per module, culminating with the qualification exit level outcomes.

    Formative and summative assessments are diverse in nature, and these encompass knowledge check questions, case studies, and scenario-based questions. Formative assessments allow for regular feedback to learners, highlighting areas of success and improvement. Summative assessments evaluate student learning at the completion of a student's learning journey. Imperative to integrated assessments is the provisioning of feedback to not only learners but also internally, as whereby the results of assessments play a critical role in informing the development of future assessment, assessment practices and the continuous improvement of the qualification.

    Assessments at different NQF Levels:

    The institution has recognised a change in its student profile and more significantly in the learning needs of learners, nationally and internationally. Correspondingly, there have been a number of advancements in education technology that better support student success. In pursuit of global relevance and enhanced student success, the institution has taken the decision to participate in this global trend and will initiate the natural progression from distance to online for its qualifications and to this end, the institution has undertaken a review of its Assessment Strategy. The Assessment Strategy is outlined within MANCOSA's Assessment Policy. As such the following is provided as rationale for the assessments at NQF level 8:

    Formative Assessment:
  • Formative Assessment 1 (Case Study/Scenario).
  • Formative Assessment 2 (Project).

    Summative Assessment:
  • Summative Assessment.

    How to Pass a Module:
    To pass a module, the following requirements must be met:
    The compulsory completion of ALL assessment activities.
    A sub-minimum of 50% is required in each form of assessment, and a final combined mark of 50% is required:
  • Entrance to the Summative Assessment is dependent on meeting the sub-minimum requirements of the formative assessments for each semester. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Namibia
    Name of Institution: Namibia University of Science and Technology.
    Name of Qualification: Bachelor of Public Governance Honours.

    Purpose of Qualification:
    The Bachelor of Public Governance Honours is a postgraduate specialisation degree that is purposefully designed to equip learners with deepened and systematic knowledge, expertise, and insight in the public governance discipline, as well as develop their capacity to conduct applied research. The qualification's emphasis is on the evaluation and application of public management and governance theories, practices and public sector data in terms of real-world situations in order to resolve complex problems that face the public sector and civil society organisations, while also catering for the needs of the private sector.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Overall, the Bachelor of Public Governance Honours aims at:
  • Providing learners with deepened knowledge of advanced concepts, frameworks and best practices in public management and governance and facilitating a high level of application.
  • Developing research capacity in the methodologies and techniques of the discipline.
  • Enabling learners to present and communicate academic/professional work effectively.
  • Equipping learners with skills that would enable them to provide public goods and services, and strengthening critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills of learners in public management and governance.

    Content:
  • Sustainable governance.
  • Comparative public governance
  • Regional economic governance (elective).
  • Portfolio and qualification management.
  • Governance and management of public enterprises (elective).
  • Public sector reform and transformation (elective).
  • Research methodology.
  • Governance of public private partnerships (elective).
  • Mini thesis.

    Similarities:
    The Bachelor of Public Governance Honours qualification at Namibia compares favourably with the South African Bachelor of Public Administration Honours qualification, as both qualifications are aligned to NQF Level 8 and total 120 credits. Both qualifications require a duration of 1 year to complete. The Research Methodology and the Mini-Thesis at Namibia are comparable to the Research Methodology and the Research Report at South Africa.

    Differences:
    The Bachelor of Public Administration Honours qualification in South Africa has a total of 7 modules, whilst the qualification at Namibia has a total of 9 modules. The qualification in South Africa is offered on a full-time basis, whilst the qualification in Namibia is offered via a part-time mode of study. The qualification in Namibia has elective modules, whilst the qualification in South Africa does not include elective modules.

    Country: India:
    Name of Institution: Alliance University.
    Name of Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration Honours.

    Purpose of Qualification:
    The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration Honours is a scientifically curated qualification aimed at exposing learners to the most contemporary challenges in the field of Public Administration within a broad multidisciplinary context. Learners will be able to understand and draw linkages between public administration and democratic values like secularism, law, and order, equality, justice and contextualise the learning with the intersectional challenges of class, caste, class, gender, poverty, hunger related studies, climate change and sustainable development. Learners will gain practical and professional insights through a robust curriculum having the capability to solve real-world problems and be able to extrapolate from what has been learned, translate concepts to real-life situations and apply acquired competencies in new/unfamiliar contexts, rather than merely replicate curriculum content knowledge, to generate solutions to specific problems.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate strong understanding of public policy theories and concepts to broaden learners' perspective and take a successful career in public policy making.
  • Identify policy friction points in the interplay of stakeholders to particularly include politics, community, business and government.
  • Present a coherent and inclusive viewpoint integrating constitutional values, justice and equality through scientific inquiry and analysis within a strong ethical framework.
  • Apply social science methods and policy analysis through a structured integration of science, arts and humanities.
  • Demonstrate strong ethical principles and values in the understanding of human subjects to ensure inclusive, equitable and sustainable policy making to solve complex real-world problems with particular reference to Sustainable Development and climate change.

    Content:
  • Indian political history.
  • Ethics and justice.
  • International politics.
  • Global economy.
  • Administrative law.
  • Political theory, economics.
  • Public finance.
  • Public administration.

    Similarities:
    The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration Honours qualification in India compares favourably with the Bachelor of Public Administration Honours qualification in South Africa, as both qualifications emphasise governance, public sector management, and strategic leadership. Both qualifications have a Research Methodology module. Furthermore, the Introduction to Public Finance module in India is similar to the Management of Public and Municipal Finance module in South Africa.

    Differences:
    The qualification in India has elective modules, whilst the qualification in South Africa does not have elective modules. The qualification in South Africa has a duration of 1 year, whilst the qualification at the Alliance University has a duration of 4 years. Finally, the qualification at Alliance University has an internship component, whilst the qualification in South Africa does not include an internship component. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Administration, NQF Level 9.
    Diagonal Articulation:
  • At present, this qualification does not have any possible diagonal articulation pathways into qualifications on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF). Should articulation opportunities become available in future, the institution will review and establish appropriate pathways in alignment with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and will duly update such articulation arrangements with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 


    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.