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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99336  Postgraduate Diploma in Public 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  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 qualification is to provide learners with in depth knowledge of Public Administration and equip learners with necessary competencies that will enable them to become capable and efficient public servants. This qualification has been developed for learners who do not have sufficient formal education in Public Administration or Public Management, but who have acquired relevant career experience in the public sector. It is envisaged that these public servants will be better equipped to render services effectively and efficiently.

Rationale:
This Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration is designed to provide learners with in-depth understanding of Public Administration and engage them in solving problems and dealing with complexities related to Public Administration. This qualification equips learners with skills that will enable them to critically reflect on issues and challenges faced by the public sector.

The study of Public Administration is for the purpose of ensuring that the administrative requirements for the delivery of services are understood and applied. The public sector is furthermore the foremost employer in the country. Government in South Africa is divided into three spheres: local, provincial and national. Each sphere's responsibilities are outlined in the Constitution. There are 46 national departments, 9 provincial administrations and 278 municipalities. These facts indicate the need for quality education and training programmes to produce well-equipped and competent public servants; a purpose that this qualification will fulfil.

Graduates of this programme should be able to provide answers to present-day administrative challenges. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In cases where applicants do not meet the minimum entry requirements they may be admitted to this qualification through the formal RPL process as prescribed by the institutional RPL policy. The institutional RPL Office will manage the process. Applicants with proven relevant experience in the public and administration sectors will be suitable candidates for entry through RPL.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry to this qualification is a Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or equivalent. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification comprises compulsory modules each with 20 Credits at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules:
  • Municipal Management.
  • Public Policy and Service Delivery.
  • Public Financial Administration and Management.
  • Organisational Analysis and Intergovernmental Relations.
  • Public Human Resource Management.
  • Executive Public Management. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply theory to analyse contemporary issues in local government management and offer possible solutions.
    2. Understand the nature of and apply Human Resource Management and its related human resource functional activities within the Public Sector.
    3. Apply the key executive elements of public administration and management with special emphasis on strategic planning and leadership.
    4. Analyse, interpret and apply policies for effective and efficient service delivery in the public sector. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Analyse and interpret the legislative framework for local government.
  • Analyse good local governance.
  • Understand and interpret developmental local government.
  • Appraise public participation at the local government level.
  • Analyse the strategic nature of integrated development planning as a tool for local development.
  • Analyse the strategic nature of local economic development as a tool for local development.
  • Assess important aspects of performance management at local government level.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Appraise the nature and purpose of Human Resource Management.
  • Identify and assess the importance of public management functions.
  • Evaluate the importance of public management skills.
  • Describe the contribution of public management application to the development of communities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Evaluate the parameters and principles of public finance.
  • Analyse and interpret public financial legislation.
  • Explain South Africa's fiscal policy in relation to taxes.
  • Appraise inter-governmental fiscal relations.
  • Analyse and evaluate government budgets.
  • Analyse and describe the role of organisational role players in public financial management.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Appraise current policies and processes.
  • Investigate the various policy sources.
  • Apply consultation and co-ordination throughout the policy development process.
  • Distinguish between policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment in this programme allows the student to demonstrate applied competence and uses a range of formative and summative assessment methods.

    The type of assessments selected for each module will be appropriate in terms of the outcomes that need to be achieved in the specific module. Formative assessment includes tests, assignments, portfolios of evidence, presentations and written report - individual or group. Summative assessment will comprise a written examination per module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Association of Schools and Institute of Administration (IASIA) is the international organisation that exists to strengthen administrative capacity-building around the world, to advance excellence in Public Administration Education and Training and to conduct, discuss and disseminate cutting-edge scholarly research and "smart practices" on governance and administration. It has established an International Commission on Accreditation of Public Administration Education and Training Programs. Together with the Division of Public Administration and Development Management, and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, IASIA has initiated Standards of Excellence for Public Administration and Training. These standards include, Public Service Commitment, Advocacy of Public Interest Values, and Combining Scholarship, Practice and Community Service. Public service ethos, such as, democratic values, accountability and transparency, respect for individual and basic human rights, including public sector skills, such as analytical and critical thinking serve as the criteria that are relevant for assessing the excellence of programmes.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification is in line with the Standards of Excellence for Public Administration and Training of IASIA. These standards are similar to the values and principles governing public administration outlined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No, 108 of 1996) together with the Batho Pele Principles outlined in the White Paper on Transforming Service Delivery. These standards include accountability, service standards and transparency that form part of this qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows systemic articulation possibilities with the following qualifications offered by the University of the Free State:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours, Level 8 (ID 8551).
  • Bachelor of Public Management Honours, Level 8 (ID 16968).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Administration, Level 9 (ID 8507).
  • Master of Public Administration, Level 9 (ID 16987).

    The qualification offers the following systemic articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Management, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Financial Management, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Administration, Level 9.
  • Master of Administration in Public and Municipal Administration, Level 9.
  • Master of Administration in Public Management, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Public Administration, Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science in Public Administration, 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.