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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96679  Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Information Studies 
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 Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies is a Postgraduate specialisation qualification that serves to consolidate and deepen the student's expertise in Library and Information Studies, and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline. The qualification will include the conduction and reporting on a research topic under supervision, in a manner that is appropriate to Library and Information Studies (LIS).

The purpose of the qualification is:
  • To offer a generalist and flexible qualification for the education of staff for South African libraries and information services of all kinds.
  • To respond both to the need for community libraries that might contribute to the social and economic development of South African society and to the need for education in academic professional librarianship.

    Rationale:
    To provide South Africa with significant numbers of Postgraduates in the field of Library and Information Studies in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. The RPL process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. In addition, an application can be made in terms of the competency rule A.2. 1.4 via Senate.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree, or an equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Organisational Management, Level 8, 15 Credits.
  • Document Description and Subject Analysis, Level 8, 15 Credits.
  • Collection Management, Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • History and Philosophy of Library and Information Studies (LIS), Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • Information Services, Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • User Studies, Level 8, 15 Credits.
  • Information Literacy Education, Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Applications in LIS, Level 8, 10 Credits.
  • Fieldwork, Level 8, 10 Credits.

    Electives (select 1 module):
  • Literature Studies, Level 8, 15 Credits.
  • Information Management, Level 8, 15 Credits.
  • Archives and Records Management, Level 8, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences and with users.
    2. Apply skills and knowledge of the structure of information domains to discipline based problems in locating information.
    3. Analyse and critique local policies with respect to the development of libraries and information services.
    4. Apply the ethical issues associated with the supply of information.
    5. Appreciate the impacts of the development of information technology on the delivery of information. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Undertake advanced reflection and development in the area of Library and Information Studies.
  • Understand the significant developments in the theory of library and information studies.
  • Provide training in the information and communication technologies demanded in the global information economy.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The University implements a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consists of a number of assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations). 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares well with similar qualifications offered by the Curtin University and the Open University in Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for Vertical Articulation:
  • Master's Degree. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. University of the Western Cape 


    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.