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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Public Relations and Communication 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97064  Diploma in Public Relations and Communication 
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
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Relations 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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   2033-06-30  

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 qualification intends to develop in a person the competence to plan and execute public relations and communications activities.

Rationale: 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to diploma studies.
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to diploma studies.
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Execute specialised public relations activities.
    2. Produce communication media for public relations context.
    3. Use theory to shape the broader context in which a public relations practitioner functions.
    4. Use administration and leadership qualities as a public relations professional.
    5. Display responsible decision-making using critical and creative thinking in identifying and solving problems.
    6. Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
    7. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluating information.
    8. Effectively communicate using visual, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion.
    9. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    10. Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    11. Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
    12. Work effectively with others as a member of a team.
    13. Develop entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes
  • Plan and execute an extensive public relations programme.
  • Define public relations problems in various contexts.
  • Present a budget and implementation for the South African environment.
  • Draw up a strategic communications plan for an organisation or department.
  • Affiliate a variety of media sources with the various public relations activities utilising written and visual elements.
  • Select and evaluate the various theories and effects of modern communication strategies.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of concepts and trends, and associate them with existing and future issues and developments within the industry.
  • Monitor economic, political and social change.
  • Achieve departmental objectives.
  • Control the budget for a public relations department/consultancy.
  • Achieve results through the efforts of other people.
  • Facilitate decision making.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
    Continuous learning progress assessment.
    Performance assessments tasks on an integrated variety of knowledge, skills and values.

    Summative assessment:
    Written examination of mastery of theoretical/academic component of learning.
    Portfolio assignments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diplomas in the Public Relations field, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advance Diploma in Public Relations Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations Management, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    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 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.