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 Business Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97200  Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Public Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  136  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 (Business Management) focuses on the fundamentals of operations to integrate all relevant disciplines such as finance, Human Resources etc. into the overall operational plan of the organisation. The qualification outline provides learners with an opportunity to apply microeconomic principles to managerial decision-making, the Fundamentals of Financial Accounting and Basic Principles of Cost and Management Accounting, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Relationship Marketing.

The intended outcomes of the PGDip (Business management) include:
  • To cultivate an understanding of the integrated nature of management and leadership.
  • Identifying the principles of great leadership.
  • Apply microeconomic principles to decision-making problems faced by institutions.
  • Explain how the competitive environment of the firm influences its output, price and other strategic decisions.

    Rationale:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is a professional qualification, focused on the training and development of junior and middle managers in a corporate or public administrative environment. Within the ambit of national and institutional strategic priorities, this qualification sets the highest standards for education and advances capacity and leadership in the corporate, public and/or academic environments. This qualification integrates managerial theories and business concepts to develop learners to attain the knowledge and capabilities to establish and sustain themselves in a national and international work environment.

    In contrast to the former Master of Business Administration requirements, the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) requires that potential MBA candidates are in possession of a qualification at NQF Exit Level 8. Consonant to the decision by the South African Business Schools Association (SABSA), the PG Dip (Business Administration) provides access into a cognate Master's qualification at NQF Level 9, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The formal RPL process of the university will be applied to the Postgraduate Diploma (Business Administration). Furthermore the following applies to RPL:
  • Exemptions will only be granted for modules passed during the past five years.
  • Exemptions will only be granted for postgraduate modules.
  • Students may apply for exemption for a maximum of four semester modules.
  • Students interrupting their studies for longer than five years will not receive any exemptions for modules previously completed.

    Entry Requirements:
    Minimum entry requirements are on the basis of the following:
  • Bachelors' or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification in a cognate field of study. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Rules of Combination
    The qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 136 Credits

    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 8, 144 Credits.
  • Business calculations, 16 Credits.
  • Integrated Management and leadership, 16 Credits.
  • Economics for managers, 16 Credits.
  • Relationship marketing, 16 Credits.
  • Business Computer Applications, 8 Credits.
  • Systems thinking, 8 Credits.
  • Financial and managerial accounting, 16 Credits.
  • Operational management and logistics, 16 Credits.
  • Managing information technology, 16 Credits.
  • Human resource management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a broad, in depth understanding of general management and the business/management environment.
    2. Explain the interaction between operational and strategic management.
    3. Identify and solve problems on an executive Level, demonstrating critical and creative thinking.
    4. Apply the general (core) management skills in the chosen area of specialisation.
    5. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the management issues characteristic of the area of specialisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understanding of the integrated nature of management and leadership is cultivated.
  • Basic knowledge framework regarding the generic management functions is created.
  • A comprehensive understanding of systems in organisations that facilitate organisational goal achievement, as well as individual and group development are developed.
  • Responsible management behaviour, with special emphasis on diversity, ethical behaviour and corporate citizenship is analysed.
  • Sound labour processes are applied.
  • Regulatory environment within which a firm has to function and identify actions/procedures that could be in conflict with the Competition Act are described.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Proper team management skills are developed.
  • How the competitive environment of the firm influences its output, price and other strategic decisions are explained.
  • Operations requirements with the strategic plan of the organisation are aligned.
  • HR strategy that supports business strategy is determined.
  • Relevant pricing strategy to enhance profits is identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Data from various business and economic contexts to make informed decisions are analysed.
  • Problems related to systems are analysed.
  • Solutions to problems related to systems are designed.
  • Microeconomic principles to decision-making problems faced by institutions are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A customer retention plan is developed.
  • Principles of great leadership are identified.
  • Internal and external relationships of a business are managed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer retention is evaluated.
  • Parameters of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) are described.
  • Basic financial statements of an entity are prepared.
  • Human resource management is applied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The objective of integrated assessment in the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is to assess learners on the training and development acquired in the application of the principles of managerial decision-making, Fundamentals of Financial Accounting, Basic Cost and Management Accounting, Customer Relationship Management and Relationship Marketing in the Business Environment. Assessment for this qualification is done in two forms namely, formative and summative.
    Formative is conducted when learners hand in a number of assignments for assessment. Depending on the module it consists usually of 3 assignments per semester. Various methods are used for the formative assessment for this qualification amongst others, tests, teamwork activities, class participation and presentations, independent projects, simulations and formal examinations. The summative assessment consists of an open book examination where the rules of the university apply. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparison for the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at NQF Level 8 was conducted against international qualifications from the institutions known to have world renowned reputations for the provision of business administration qualifications such as: School of Management and Governance: University of Murdoch in Australia, Selkirk College in Canada and the University of Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom.

    Graduate Diploma Business Administration - Murdoch University (School of Management and Governance) - Australia.
    The purpose of the qualification is assist learners to gain an understanding about how organisations are built and managed, how marketing plans are developed and how accounting works. In addition, learners will also have the opportunity to study further in other business areas, in order to learn the kind of skills that they need to boost their career prospects. The qualification is offered both on a full time and part time basis.

    Requirements for the Qualification:
  • Demonstrate competency in the English Language.
  • Recognised Bachelor's degree or higher and evidence of relevant two-year work experience,
  • Satisfactory preparation for the course through previous study or professional experience.

    Qualification Structure:
    Core Modules:
  • Accounting for Managers.
  • Strategic Marketing Management.
  • Law for Business.
  • Organisational Behaviour and Management.
  • Organisational Change, Management and Consultancy.
  • Human Resource Management Perspectives.

    Specified Electives Modules
    Select from the following:
  • Business Finance.
  • International Business.
  • Strategic Decision-Making.
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
  • Dispute Management.
  • Business, Society and the Environment.
  • Leading and Managing Non-profit Organisations.

    Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration - Selkirk College - Canada.
    The Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration offers learners the opportunity to complement and build on their previous education and work experience. The Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration will provide learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to launch their business career. The qualification covers core business courses in the areas of accounting, management, marketing and economics.

    Admission Requirements:
    In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission at the College, applicants must meet the following Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration requirements:

    Academic Requirements:
  • Completion of a diploma in a discipline other than business, Bachelor's degree from a recognised post-secondary institution in Canada or English speaking institution.

    Qualification Structure
    Full time Modules for Semester 1.
  • Financial Accounting I.
  • Principles of Organizational Behaviour.
  • Principles of Macroeconomics.
  • Business Mathematics.
  • Introduction to Report and Letter Writing.

    Full time Modules for Semester 2
  • Management Principles.
  • Marketing.
  • Financial Accounting II.
  • Principles of Microeconomics.
  • Oral Presentations and Skills Training.

    Graduate Diploma in Business Administration - University of Gloucestershire - UK.
    The Graduate Diploma in Business Administration combines academic study skills, English language skills development, and specific postgraduate research skills to prepare learners for direct entry into a master's degree in the UK. The graduate Diploma is also suitable for learners want to increase or update their subject knowledge.

    Qualification Structure:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • English Language for Graduate Study
  • Academic Skills for Graduate Study
  • Study Skills for Graduate Study

    Electives Modules:
  • Human Resource Management.
  • International Marketing.
  • Management Accounting.

    Conclusion:
    In conclusion it is clear from the comparison conducted that there are countries which offer business administration. The comparison done also revealed that there are similarities with regard to the purpose of the qualifications since all the qualifications seek to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to build and manage businesses effectively in the business environment. In addition, modular similarities such as accounting, human resources, marketing, management and finance in these qualifications were found. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification provides possibilities for learners to articulate both vertically and horizontally.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Administration, at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Business Administration at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 the Free State 


    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.