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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97954  Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
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:
This qualification is aimed at learners who wish to pursue careers as security supervisors and security managers and who seek to develop and recieve recognition for the essential skills needed, by senior management in the security sector. Qualifying learners will have the competencies to apply their acquired security management, security risk management and corporate investigation knowledge and skills at an advanced specialised level. The emphasis, besides additional advanced specialised knowledge and information is on the practical application of already acquired knowledge.

The qualification targets learners who work in the public and private sector security industry and related fields of asset protection, loss prevention, security risk management and corporate investigation.

A qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills of competent security managers in the private and public security industry. This qualification will also assist in promoting good governance, professionalism and expertise in this specific sector of the South African economy. It further lays a foundation for higher career advancement and further post-graduate studies in Security Management.

Rationale:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management will allow progression from the Diploma in Security Management and the Advanced Diploma in Security Management to the Masters qualification at NQF Level 9.

It has become necessary for the continued specialisation and professionalisation of the private security industry and to provide a progression pathway in terms of career building. Moreover, this relatively young discipline, Security Management incorporating Security Risk Management is currently experiencing an exponential growth in knowledge creation, information collection and specialisation areas.

The main objective of the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management is to establish a core of professionals that will serve the interests of all sectors of the security services industry (private and public) and the South Africa community at large. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
All admissions through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must be in accordance with the principles set out in the Institution's RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved in part (50%) through Recognition of Prior Learning. The Institution must provide full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences to RPL candidates. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence should be judged in line with the general principles of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Credits can also be awarded through RPL for relevant formal and informal learning acquired prior to enrolment for this qualification.

Entry Requirements:
In order to gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have:
  • Advanced Diploma in Security Management, at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of five compulsory 24-Credit modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Applied Research Methodology in Security Management.
  • Advanced Security Technology and Information Security.
  • Advanced Security Risk Control Measures.
  • Advanced Security Risk Management.
  • Advanced Corporate Investigations. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Apply research methodology and undertake fieldwork research in the field of Security Science.
  • Manage security technology and information.
  • Implement security risk control measures.
  • Conduct investigations in the security service industry.
  • Manage the security service environment and security risks. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • A comprehensive and systematic understanding of knowledge regarding the security service environment and security risks is demonstrated.
  • Acquired knowledge is applied in practical terms to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Management and Security Risk Management.
  • The security needs of different specialised security sectors are assessed and evaluated.
  • A coherent understanding of security technology and information is displayed.
  • Learned knowledge is applied in practical terms to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Technology and Information Security.
  • An in-depth grasp of knowledge in relation to security risk control measures is demonstrated.
  • Acquired knowledge is applied practically to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Risk Control Measures.
  • A sound understanding of how to conduct investigations in the security services sector is displayed.
  • Acquired knowledge is used in the preparation for and planning of an investigation project in the corporate environment and applied in the analysis of a selected and specific case study for corporate investigation.
  • An understanding of the different research approaches, different data collection methods, and data analysis methods is demonstrated.
  • Practical field research is undertaken.
  • A research-based report is compiled.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the qualification to be awarded, a learner must have successfully achieved the outcomes of every module that constitutes the qualification, and have completed an approved research proposal and research report under guided supervision in an elected area of specialisation. This in turn will indicate an integrated competence in the Exit level outcomes of the qualification.

    Evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) and of the learner's ability to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded is required by means of comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments). Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the Institution's Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written examination in each module.

    Assessors should assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Lecturers responsible for the module and external markers (assessors) will act as assessor practitioners in accordance with the Institution's Assessment Policy. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Research was conducted to establish whether any similar postgraduate qualifications are offered in universities in Africa. The results indicated that there are no similar or equivalent qualifications currently being offered by any other African institutions on NQF Level 8. The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management compares favourably with three international postgraduate qualifications in Security Management/Security Science/Security Risk Management.

    Australia:
    In addition to the BSc (Security Management) and BSc (Security) Degrees, the Edith Cowan University (ECU) also offers two postgraduate qualifications. Firstly, it offers a Graduate Certificate in Security Management with two core modules (majors) namely Security and Risk Management and Physical Security. Two electives must be chosen from Intrusion Detection Systems; Building Management Systems, Facility Management; Industrial Security Procedures; Computer Security; and Information Security.

    Secondly, the Edith Cowan University offers a Graduate Diploma of Security Science requiring the completion of eight modules (of 15 credits each totalling 120 credits). A selection of eight modules must be made from: Security and Risk Management, Physical Security, Intrusion Detection Systems, Security in Government, Building Management Systems, Management of the Security Function, Security Risk, Access Control Systems, CCTV and Imaging Systems, Facility Management, Industrial Security Procedures, and Information Security.

    United Kingdom:
    The Loughborough University presents a distance-learning Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management leading to an MA (Security Management). The modules include: Business Management Skills, Security Risk Management, Physical Security, Fraud and Information Security, Information Technology Security, Law and Criminology, and a Research project.

    The purposes of this qualification are to:
  • Promote knowledge and understanding in the subject of Security Management.
  • Advance security management as a serious subject for academic study within the security industry.
  • Establish security management as a relevant discipline within the corporate environment in order that it might rank alongside the other disciplines.
  • Increase the opportunity for security professionals from uniformed backgrounds to migrate into the corporate and private sector security domains.
  • Provide a unique academic qualification in security management that brings together professional expertise and academic disciplines relevant to this interdisciplinary field.

    Conclusion:
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management was compared with qualifications at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels from international educational institutions. The international qualifications (with the exception of the ECU graduate qualifications) have discipline focused approaches largely based on criminology and/or safety, fire prevention and emergency planning management as opposed to Security Science or Security Management. On the other hand, the Loughborough University qualification is more Business Management orientated. In addition, the Postgraduate Diploma qualification has a third leg (besides security and business management) to it, namely Corporate Investigation, which none of the others have. The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management compares well with the two ECU qualifications in terms of the strong security science/security management focus. The research component is not a common feature of all the undergraduate qualifications, but is essential in this qualification to prepare graduates for Master's Degree study. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers articulation opportunities with the Master of Technology in Security Management, Level 9 (ID: 62363) offered by the University of South Africa.

    The qualification offers systemic horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other higher education institutions provided the student meets the minimum entry requirements. They are:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Risk Management, at NQF Level 7.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Management and Information Risk Management, at NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Security 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. University of South Africa 


    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.