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: 

Diploma in Public Relations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97108  Diploma in Public Relations 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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 
The purpose of the qualification is intended to develop in a person the competence to plan and execute public relations and communications activities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be granted, through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
  • A qualification at Level 5 in Public Relations.
  • National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies Senior Certificate, Level 4 with Matriculation exemption.
  • National Certificate Vocation, Level 4 with a relevant specialisation, granting access to Diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. To execute specialised public relations activities.
    2. To produce communication media for public relations context.
    3. To use theory to shape the broader context in which a public relations practitioner functions.
    4. To use administration and leadership qualities as a public relations professional. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.1. Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute the seven steps of the public relations programme including specialised budget activities.

    1.2. Demonstrate the ability to address problems in corporate, consultancy, public sector and non-profit contexts.
    1.3. Apply the principles of budgetary control.
    1.4. Demonstrate the ability to assess a given situation, plan and implement strategies to communicate with all stakeholders.

    2.1. Analyse, produce and review articles and identify trends in the field of public relations.
  • Plan, produce and control placement of corporate advertising.
  • Apply all modern media techniques.

    3.1. Demonstrate how the various communication theories affect the practice of public relations
    3.2. Apply knowledge related to concepts and trends affecting the profession.
    3.3. Apply proactive interventions to address changes in economic, political and social issues.

    4.1. Execute interdepartmental functions in an organisation on a day-to-day basis.
    4.2. Apply the principles of project management within the public relations context.
    4.3. Apply professional people skills.
    4.4. Demonstrate participative management techniques.

    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. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Public Relations and Communication, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, 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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.