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 Leadership 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94180  Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  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 programme is to provide an interdisciplinary diploma which strengthens and deepens the student's knowledge and conceptualisation of leadership. It allows for engagement of theory at an advanced level. Learners are enabled to become effective leaders and to be further equipped to become research orientated in their work and professional development. Learners are taught in a manner which assists them to critically engage with and integrate theory and practice, and which ultimately impacts positively on all spheres in the learners' work performance and lives. An opportunity is provided for learners to obtain detailed and advanced theoretical knowledge in turbulent and complex environments, and to constructively respond to various challenges, for example, around continuous change and systemic effects. Relevant and practical methodologies are emphasised, particularly for use in the African context, thus enabling learners to effect positive change in their relevant institutional contexts. Learners are further equipped with reflective skills, which places them in a position to apply the advanced theoretical knowledge gained from the programme into their work situations. The programme is thus regarded as an integrative device that encourages independent thinking.

Rationale:
There is a dire need for senior-level management and leadership competencies which are paramount for leaders in the 21st Century to acquire in the African and more specifically in the Southern African context. These competencies need to be in line with the transformational characteristics of South Africa, the rapid pace of globalisation and concomitant regional integration. This qualification is designed for working professionals to consolidate and extend their leadership capability in the organisations in which they are located. The need exists for using a values- and ethics-based approach rather than using an organisational leadership approach so as to facilitate systemic change. Thus the qualification caters for working professionals in organisational leadership positions, who are required to work in this dynamic complex environment of contemporary Africa and its transitional agenda. This aligns with the University's purpose relating to leadership development and the strategic plan to provide quality teaching and research for the African context. The learners, through the undertaking of the qualification will be equipped with advanced theoretical knowledge in the area of institutional leadership, which will enable them to reflect at an advanced level so as to contribute to their on-going professional development. Furthermore, the qualification will also serve as an entrance to the Masters in Leadership and related management fields. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning will be recognised by assessing any appropriate professional qualifications and/or practical experience. Applications will have to be made using the university's GR7b forms, which are to be approved at various levels.

Entry Requirements:
Applicants need to have a:
  • Bachelors' Degree at NQF Level 7 or any recognised equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership is a one year qualification consisting of 5 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 and 2 electives at NQF Level 8 adding up to 128 Credits:
  • Advanced Leadership Theories and Practices, 16 Credits.
  • Organisational Dynamics, 16 Credits.
  • Strategic Leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Systems Thinking, 16 Credits.
  • Practitioner Research for Leaders, 32 Credits.

    Electives (Select two, 32 Credits):
  • Advanced Issues in Leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Critical Reflection of Leadership Skills, 16 Credits.
  • Managing Complexity, 16 Credits.
  • Project Leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Special Studies, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrates an understanding of the complexities and uncertainties in order to be able to lead constructively in such contexts.
    2. Demonstrates the ability to use specialised skills to identify, analyse and address organisational dynamics.
    3. Demonstrates the ability to operate effectively within an organisation by reviewing and applying relevant systems tools and techniques as well as proposing recommendations.
    4. Demonstrates the ability to apply, in a self-critical manner, research strategies to effectively address professional needs.
    5. Construct, propose and synthesise leadership tools for systemic change.
    6. Formulate, propose and evaluate strategy pertaining to organisational project leadership. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Appropriate leadership theories and practices within the context of the latest research findings are understood.
  • Conceptual insight into advanced leadership theory and practice is understood.
  • Insight into current happenings, with particular reference to developmental perspectives on issues of culture, gender, ethics, social and environmental justice is understood.
  • A critical perspective on leadership through the analysis of case studies is developed.
  • A selected leadership development model within an organisational setting is evaluated and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Group and overt/covert organisational dynamics, with specific reference to power, roles, norms, values and ethics are assessed.
  • An organisational problem is analysed and diagnosed.
  • Recommendations on an intervention to promote effective organisational practices in the area(s) analysed are formulated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Conceptual models and practical tools on strategic leadership are understood so that it will contribute to a strategic mindset in all leadership thinking and action.
  • Practice of systems thinking, including the use of a representative range of the tools and techniques commonly used in the systems research and practice community are developed.
  • The strategic context of one's organisation is analysed in order to identify an area relevant to strategic leadership.
  • The development of organisational thinking and values with reference to systems thinking is critically reviewed.
  • A strategic tool(s) towards strategy making for the organisation is applied. Systems thinking tools and techniques to an organisational problem in a work environment are creatively applied and recommendations on improvement are proposed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Research skills to undertake a practitioner research project are developed.
  • Critical learning, reflection and personal development, particularly with respect to the professional capabilities are developed.
  • Research for a research problem in own work environment is conducted.
  • Research proposal for conducting a practitioner research project is formulated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Insight into current happenings, with particular reference to developmental perspectives on issues of culture, gender, ethics, social and environmental justice is demonstrated.
  • A critical perspective on leadership through the analysis of case studies and their contemporary relevance is developed.
  • Key organisational sociological positions and the various systems methodologies in relation to their sociological paradigms are systematised.
  • Theoretical content relating to organisational complexity in a particular case study is applied.
  • Conceptual models and framing of the portfolio of leadership skills are analysed and the applicability of these skills in dealing with different leadership challenges are evaluated.
  • Own leadership in relation to the conceptual models is analysed and an action plan for improving own leadership and organisational effectiveness is developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Theory and practice of traditional project management as defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge guide (PMBOK) is understood.
  • Systemic leadership principles to a case study based on a project is applied and is critically reflected on.
  • Conventional project management practice is contextualised to the contemporary milieu of environmental uncertainty and turbulence and is critically evaluated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
    Each module will be assessed through an integrated written assignment; in addition a range of oral and written methods, group and individual class assignments and tests will be administered in order to give students the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final work-based assignment will require learners to apply their learning in an integrated way by analysing a specific area related to their work context in as well as to apply the theoretical frameworks in order to recommend solutions to identified problem areas. The practitioner research project will assess the ability of learners to integrate themes from different modules appropriately into a real scenario.

    Summative Assessment:
    There will be no summative assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Said Business School is located within the University of Oxford offers a Diploma in Organisational Leadership. This is a Postgraduate-level qualification from the University of Oxford which builds on existing professional development and experience. Furthermore, the qualification provides the learners with:
  • A deeper understanding of how to manage people and organisations, and of their own approach to the complexities of strategic management.
  • Focus on the reality of leadership in hard times such as delivering the hard messages while maintaining motivation, and focusing on essentials while watching out for other factors that could affect performance.
  • Access to top-level teaching from world-leading experts, drawing on Oxford University's strengths in leadership and organisational behaviour.
  • Lifelong association with the university through the business school, university networks and college membership - and a pathway to the Oxford Executive Masters of Business Administration.

    The Diploma in Organisational Leadership is designed for strategic leaders who want to develop their organisations in a global, changing environment and understand culture, complexity and strategic decision making.
    New Zealand Childcare Association offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership (ECE) which is a 120-Credit Level 8 qualification. The qualification prepares the learners by focusing on work-based leadership practice and experiential learning. The following qualification prepares the learner:
  • In organisational and pedagogical leadership.
  • Creating and sustaining change in organisations for the benefit of children and their families/now and in the future.
  • Bicultural and sustainable organisation.
  • Mentoring, coaching and team leadership.
  • Having own personal style and approach to leadership.
  • Leadership in relation to identity, language and culture.

    Conclusion:
    Although the qualification offered at New Zealand's Childcare Association is focused on educational contexts but the principles and theories taught are similar to those in the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership. This qualification compares favourably with both qualifications offered at international institutions in terms of curriculum, notational hours and credits. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners who graduate successfully with the Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership will be eligible to study further within the institution and in other institutions offering similar qualification in the same field. The qualification offers horizontal articulation and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Education Leadership and Management.
  • Bachelor of Personnel Leadership Honours.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management and Leadership.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management.

    Vertical Articulation:
    The qualification will enable learners who achieve sufficiently high results to apply for a Master's qualification such as:
  • Master of Commerce in Leadership.
  • Master of Commerce in Project Leadership and Management.

    The articulation is subject to the institution's admission requirements and this will apply in other institutions. 
    		•

    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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.