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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Personal Financial Risk Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97689  Postgraduate Diploma in Personal Financial Risk Management 
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  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 purpose of this Postgraduate Diploma (Personal Financial Risk Management) is to provide learners with the necessary advanced academic and professional competence to become experts in the field of personal financial risk management. Successful learners will be able to provide advice on a multitude of platforms, e.g. evaluating a client's risks, providing solutions for risks identified within the legislative framework of the personal financial risk management sector. The risk management practitioner will be able to provide sound advice and to assurance that clients' investments and estates are protected.

At the end of this qualification learners are expected to:
  • Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theoretical framework, key concepts and core legal rules and principles of all areas of the Personal Risk Management industry.
  • Explain and apply relevant legislation and the principle of ethics in the Personal Risk Management industry.
  • Critically analyse a personal financial situation and apply the theoretical knowledge to provide effective solutions.

    Rationale:
    The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa states that professions involving financial planning are continuing to be one of the fastest growing sectors worldwide. Financial Planning Law comprises of various sub-fields, including employee benefits, investment planning and estate planning. Although the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Law equips learners to the legal aspects underpinning financial planning at an advanced level, the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa requires additional sub-specialisation in the field, such as this qualification.

    This qualification aims to enable learners to attain advanced knowledge and competence within the areas of personal financial risk management and/or estate planning and/or asset types and investment planning. In addition, the qualification will provide a formal postgraduate qualification for individuals in the personal financial risk management profession.

    The utilisation of this qualification type widens access to higher education, and serves as a feeder qualification for vertical and horizontal articulation. The qualification capacitates the profession and or professionals to become personal financial risk managers who will be able to give a specific quality of advice that will improve the standards of financial planning in the country. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    In exceptional cases where learners do not meet the admission requirements, a special justification for admission, based on the institutional General Rules and RPL policy will apply. Learners are therefore provided an opportunity to demonstrate competence in cognate fields at the NQF Level 7.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements are:
  • Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Accounting with specialisation in Mercantile Law.
    Or
  • Bachelor's Degree or a relevant equivalent qualification at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.
    Compulsory module:
  • Personal Financial Risk Management, 60 Credits.

    Choose one from the two electives below:
  • Estate Planning, 60 Credits.
  • Asset types and Investment Planning, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theoretical framework, key concepts and core legal rules and principles of all areas of the Personal Risk Management industry.
    2. Critically analyse a personal financial situation and apply the theoretical knowledge to provide effective solutions.
    3. Explain and apply relevant legislation and the principle of ethics in the Personal Risk Management industry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The theory of risk management, insurance and investment principles is applied and illustrated.
  • Knowledge of the South African common law, legislation and self-regulatory requirements to risk management and planning is developed and applied.
  • An advanced understanding of nature and mechanics of the different financial market as well as the different instruments through which exposure to these markets can be obtained is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • All personal financial risks a client case faces are identified and adequate solutions are provided.
  • Techniques which can be used to improve a client's current estate situation are recommended and described.
  • The law and taxation of trusts with respect to estate planning is applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The needs of the client in terms of the accumulation, conservation, and ultimate distribution of assets forming part of the estate are identified.
  • Elementary financial mathematics to identify and to provide adequate solutions to personal financial risks is applied.
  • Personal financial risks and the methods for the creation and protection of wealth are identified and evaluated.
  • An understanding of the fundamentals of all taxes affecting individuals is demonstrated.
  • The basic financial calculations with regard to investment instruments are done.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will comprise of both formative and summative assessment and the same assessment strategy will be applied in each module. For formal formative assessment one assignment will be sub-divided into three parts. The assignment will consist mainly of case studies in which learners will apply the theory to practical examples, analyse and compare scenarios and provide applicable advice. To further support the distance mode of provisioning, continuous informal assessment for formative purposes will be applied.

    Summative assessment will take the form of an examination in each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Graduate Diploma in Financial Services offered with Oxford University in the United Kingdom is designed to provide a comprehensive study and analysis of the knowledge and skills applicable to a career in the financial services industry, in particular, the focus is on financial planning. Learners will have the opportunity to systematically study a strategic selection of themes including financial planning, managing wealth, estate planning, risk management, the stock market, investment management, finance theory, taxation, superannuation, mutual funds, applied economics, social benefits, insurance, selling and sales techniques, and relevant private and corporate law.

    In Canada, the Financial Planning (Post-Degree Diploma) offered by Douglas College covers the fundamentals of financial management and personal finance. Learners will learn financial services marketing, Canadian securities, wealth management and other related aspects of financial planning and management.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares very well with the two qualifications cited above because they all seek to create a learner who is an expert in issues pertaining to personal financial planning, financial risk management and general assets management. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is designed to articulate both horizontally and vertically.

    It articulates horizontally with:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Development Finance, at NQF Level 8.

    This qualification also has vertical articulation with:
  • Master of Business Administration in Finance, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Government Finance and Auditing, 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.