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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94041  Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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  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:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning is to enable working professionals in the Financial Planning industry to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of current thinking, practice and literature review in Estate Planning. The qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in estate planning, trusts, taxation of trust and administration of estates in order to undertake professional or highly-skilled work in Estate Planning.

The qualification comprises a focused curriculum to prepare the student for a career in Estate Planning. The curriculum includes three topic areas ranging from estate planning, administration of estates and trusts and the taxation of trusts. Mastering of the curriculum will provide students with the ability to evaluate and apply complex estate planning principles in a holistic financial planning process, when implementing advice or at the administration of an estate at death. In-depth understanding of estate planning and trust principles will be gained enabling the qualifying student to work in today's professional world of financial planning. The programme emphasises competence, integrity, and application of ethics in a professional environment. The successful student will gain a holistic estate planning perspective and an in-depth understanding of estate planning which will provide them with a competitive advantage for employment in the financial planning industry.

Rationale:
The rationale for this programme is to improve and broaden the current academic offering of the Department of Finance and Investment Management. Currently, only a broad based Bachelor Honours degree is being offered in terms of Financial Planning. The proposed Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning is a specialised qualification that is currently in demand in the Financial Planning industry which would like to specialise or focus on estate planning.

The Faculty proposes to offer this qualification to graduates who have completed a Financial Planning qualification and who would like to focus on estate planning, a specialised area within Financial Planning. There is currently a demand by learners and advisors in the industry to focus on estate planning, after completing a Financial Planning qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Faculty accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credit that is aligned to Faculty programmes to promote lifelong learning. An example of prior learning refers to work experience relevant to the Financial Planning industry, such as experience on projects related to the Financial Planning industry.

The purpose of the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy (please refer to uploaded document), which directs the Faculty's RPL procedure, is to recognise prior learning in order to provide for access into programmes, grant advanced placement in programmes and grant credits for modules on the principles and processes that serve as basis for faculty-specific RPL practices.


Entry Requirements:
To gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have an:
  • NQF Level 7 qualification with a Financial Planning module at NQF Level 7.
  • NQF Level 7 qualification with relevant financial planning experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises four compulsory modules, each worth 30 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Estate Planning.
  • Law of Trusts.
  • Administration of Estates.
  • Application of Trusts. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply an in-depth knowledge of Estate Planning.
    2. Critically evaluate the different components of Estate Planning.
    3. Construct multiple options of applying and integrating the different components of Estate Planning into a holistic financial plan.
    4. Present an in-depth knowledge of key aspects and implications of an estate plan, different and changing situations and the effect of these situations on the holistic financial plan. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • The principles of estate planning are correctly understood.
  • The estate planning principles and components are adequately applied in a practical case study.
  • The different components of estate planning are correctly identified.
  • Multiple options of applying the different components of estate planning are adequately identified and constructed.
  • The different components of estate planning are correctly integrated with each other.
  • The key aspects of an estate plan are correctly and adequately understood.
  • The effect of changing situations of a holistic financial plan is sufficiently identified.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Written integrated formative assessments and a summative assessment are written during the semester. Formative assessments are written throughout the semester and discussed in class once these assessments have been marked and received by learners. The final assessment is a summative assessment which is written at the end of the semester. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning aligns well with the following qualifications:
  • The STEP Certificate and Diploma in Trusts and Estates offered by CLT International in England and Wales.

    The renowned STEP Certificate and Diploma in Trusts and Estates is the benchmark Trust and Estate qualification leading to full membership of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Completion of the qualification provides a recognised professional qualification for those already working within the trusts and estates field, or those wishing to move to a position within the field. The Certificate provides an introduction to trusts and estates in England and Wales. The Diploma provides detailed practical coverage of the law and procedures involved in the trust and estate practice in England and Wales.

    The Diploma consists of the following four compulsory papers:
  • Administration of Trusts.
  • Administration of Estates.
  • Taxation of Trusts and Estates.
  • Trust and Estate Accounting.

    The qualification will:
  • Enhance the learner's ability to give holistic advice to clients as a "trusted advisor".
  • Develop the learner's academic and professional competence.
  • Provide an appreciation of the issues that arise in trust and estate practice and give practical advice on the law and procedures involved.
  • Provide a route to Full Membership of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), allowing use of the TEP designation.
    The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Wills and Estate) offered by The College of Law in Australia and New Zealand.

    This Graduate Diploma focuses on the practical realities of working in the wills and estates environment and has been developed by practitioners, for practitioners. If learners are not quite ready to undertake a full Master's or LLM Degree, then this qualification will provide them with the requisite knowledge and skills to advance their careers, without them having to undertake the extended study required for a Masters of Laws. If learners later decide to pursue a Master's Degree then all their study in the Graduate Diploma will be credited towards that award.

    The qualification is made up of the following compulsory modules:
  • Law and practice of Wills.
  • Law and practice of Estates.
  • Drafting and construing Wills.

    Conclusion:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning is closely related to these qualifications as they all focus on related content areas. Whilst the overall structure of these qualifications varies regarding the credit values, the focus remains the same. All these qualifications aim to ensuring that learners acquire the knowledge, skills and techniques intrinsic to Estate Planning practice. Thus, the Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning compares favourably with the international offerings. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontally this qualification articulates with:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Law and Planning at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning and Administration at NQF Level 8.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with a related Master's Degree.

    It should be noted that the learner may be required to complete a bridging course in Research Methodology prior to entering a Master's Degree. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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 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 Johannesburg 


    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.