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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97666  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management 
ORIGINATOR
North West 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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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:
Public Management is seen as an important contributor to the realisation of South Africa as developmental state. The qualification will help providers in higher education to establish appropriate curricula in Public Management related fields. During the design of the curriculum, consideration was given to specialisations and career opportunities in the field with specific reference to the Senior Management Service Competency Framework. Successful completion of the qualification will further prepare learners from the South African Public Service sector for study on Master's level.

On completion, learners must be able to:
  • Demonstrate integrated knowledge and critical understanding of, as well as engagement in, different theories and principles applicable within the field of Public Management.
  • Apply a range of different Public Management skills and scientific methods of inquiry to investigate, reflect on and then address complex or abstract problems, thereby contributing to positive change within practice.
  • Engage with and address ethical issues pertaining to the academic environment, Public Management practice and society to effect change in conduct and adaptation where necessary.
  • Deliver an accurate, coherent, appropriate and creative presentation and communication of innovative and new professional ideas, methods and research findings to policymakers, practitioners, other role players and academics within the field of Public Management.
  • Work effectively as part of a team to solve discipline-related problems and to take responsibility for task-specific outcomes and appropriate use of relevant resources.

    Rationale:
    The National School of Government (NSG) expressed the need for a postgraduate qualification that is aligned to the Senior Management Service (SMS) Competency Framework. Such a postgraduate qualification will assist in meeting the sector-specific management and leadership competencies (skills and knowledge) required and alleviate capacity constraints that confront the broader South-African Public Service.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management will allow learners to develop their management skills, knowledge and values, which will consequently contribute positively towards improving public service delivery and development of the country. The qualification provides the learner with accessibility to be employed within the public and development sector. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that recognition of prior learning (acquired through informal or non-formal experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme of the University. Eligibility for RPL at the institution is outlined in its Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.

    The following stipulations in the RPL Policy regarding eligibility are specifically relevant to this qualification:
  • Learners who have accumulated experience through their time spent in a career may seek exemption for some modules or levels or status for a whole qualification that would enable them to further their studies.
  • Learners who want to fast-track progression academically by way of exemption for modules or levels in consideration of informal or non-formal learning accomplished.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entrance requirements are:
  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree completed at NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • An Advanced Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.
  • Strategic Planning and Management, 20 Credits.
  • Leadership for Good Governance, 20 Credits.
  • Project and Programme Management, 20 Credits.
  • Strategic Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
  • Policy Formulation and Implementation, 20 Credits.
  • Financial Management and Budgeting, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge and critical understanding of different theories and principles applicable within the field of Public Management.
    2. Apply a range of Public Management skills and scientific methods of inquiry to investigate, reflect on and then address complex or abstract problems, thereby contributing to positive change within practice.
    3. Engage with and address ethical issues pertaining to the academic environment, Public Management practice and society to effect change in conduct and adaptation where necessary.
    4. Deliver an accurate, coherent, appropriate and creative presentation and communicate innovative and new professional ideas, methods and research findings to policymakers, practitioners, other role players and academics within the field of Public Management.
    5. Work effectively as part of a team to solve discipline-related problems and to take responsibility for task-specific outcomes and appropriate use of relevant resources. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Information in the field of Public Management is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated.
  • Theoretical principles, judgements and legislation in the field of Public Management are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Applicable methods and suitable strategies to collect, analyse and interpret information to investigate Public Management problems are chosen.
  • Political, economic, social and environmental problems are identified, investigated and solved.
  • Problems in the field of Public Management are solved.
  • A detailed analysis of a given problem scenario is performed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Suitable ethical values and attitudes to effect change in any work contexts are critically reflect upon and applied.
  • Ethical and sustainability issues relevant to the Public Management context are identified and addressed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The reasons why an idea or solution is suitable or not suitable for a given problem scenario are identified and communicated.
  • A comprehensive presentation is created and presented to a wide range of possible audiences with different knowledge and expertise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • An appreciation of the roles and relationships between different members of the team/group is demonstrated.
  • Strategic leadership to a team is provided and the responsibility for the mastering of the outcomes of given tasks is owned.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way, so that an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification. Furthermore, learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably interwoven. Whenever possible, the assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the qualification will be integrated.

    Opportunities for both continuous formative and summative assessments are imbedded in the learning design of this qualification. Learners are assessed on the application of learned skills in order to assure that theory evolves into effective practice. Exit Level Outcomes are assessed in an integrated manner by means of group work projects as well as written assignments, wherein not only the learner's evidence of the mastering of discipline-specific knowledge and skills are assessed, but also writing and communication skills, computer literacy and ability to critically analyse and effectively evaluate work-place related problems. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration. This is an internationally recognised qualification providing the competencies and knowledge necessary for public service managers to manage creatively in challenging policy environments. It is suitable for new graduates and those with managerial and/or public sector work experience.

    The focus of the qualification is on critical issues and key developments relating to public management, such as leadership, strategy, performance management and human resource management. With the current developments in countries around the world, this is one of the most exciting times to be studying anything to do with the public sector, governance and government, and the delivery of services to meet people's needs.

    The aim of the qualification is to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and tools to make sense of the world of public policy and management, so that they can analyse situation and problems, and use this to improve its practice. The qualification is designed to blend both practitioner an academic perspectives on public management, and the wide range of modules draws on examples from different countries around the world.

    University of Sydney in New Zealand offers a Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (GDPA). The qualification offers a world-class learning environment for current and future leaders in public administration.
    This qualification encompass a range of fields of study relevant to public administration including:
  • Public policy - formulation and analysis.
  • Policy implementation and public value.
  • Leadership.
  • Strategic thinking.
  • The art of implementation.
  • Planning.
  • Resource management.
  • Communication.
  • Decision-making and problem-solving.
  • Ethics.
  • Risk management.
  • Managing, leading and responding to change.
  • International trends in public sector management.
  • Government-business relations.
  • Marketing.
  • Survey design and analysis.
  • Media management.
  • Managing public expenditure.
  • Managing capital works and asset procurement.
  • Case study exercises.
  • Work-based projects.

    Important themes of study and learning relevant to contemporary public administration include:
  • Cross agency or whole of government policy development and program implementation.
  • Commonwealth/State and inter-State co-operation to achieve public value.
  • Politics in practice - public servants and politicians, and their relationships within the political process.
  • Case studies and concepts in the "art of implementation".
  • Designing, negotiating and managing complex public/private commercial contracts.
  • Demand management and pricing of public services.
  • Workforce planning and human resource investments.
  • Planning, making and managing geographic "places" of social, economic and political significance.

    Conclusion:
    The two qualifications cited above compare favourably with this qualification in that they are all designed to equip learners with skills, knowledge and competencies to manage public sector organisations/institutions. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Policy, at NQF Level 8.

    Vertically with:
  • Master of Administration in Public Management, 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. North West 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.