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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99338  Advanced Diploma in Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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
Advanced Diploma  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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 of the Advanced Diploma in Journalism fulfils the requirements of ensuring a practically-orientated advanced journalistic qualification with theoretical foundations.

Learners will develop the following competencies:
  • Engaging critically with news as a product of the mass media industry.
  • Engaging in the critical thought necessary for independent and in-depth interrogation of socio-cultural, politico-economic, and ethico-philosophical issues, for the purposes of investigative journalism, by extending their knowledge of the theoretical principles and research techniques of contemporary in-depth reporting.
  • Understanding the new and emerging digital/multi-media landscape of convergence culture as it pertains to mainstream news production and independent journalistic copy; that is, the resonances and dissonances between old and new media, the intersection between grassroots and corporate media, and the unpredictable interface between media producers and the consumers of news information.
  • Understand a broad array of high quality critical column writing, defined both in terms of linguistic skill and argumentative incisiveness, articulating critical insights into socio-cultural and politico-economic issues in similarly cogent and accessible terms and in a dialogic fashion that encourages reflection and debate among ordinary citizens.
  • The practical skills required at the heart of the news production process, where industry demand is for some innovation in relation to the creative generation, compilation and dissemination of issue-based journalistic material, in broadcast, online and audio-visual format. In this regard, the qualification is focused on simulating real-world working conditions of a newsroom, to engender learner confidence in own practical competency.

    Rationale:
    The media printed, audio visual, digital and social media play a profound role in the lives of all citizens as what is reported often determines their perceptions, attitudes, values and behaviour. Incorrect reporting by accident and particularly by design can lead to wholesale mass action in the form of protests and rioting, the rejection of societal norms and the adoption of negative behaviour of individuals, groups and whole societies. This is often the case with social media where no boundaries are set or censorship of what is said takes place. The media can also be misused by organisations, governments and individuals for deliberate miscommunication and brainwashing. On the other hand the media can play a very positive role in communication of the correct information, giving balanced views and informing citizens about the real state of affairs. This positive reporting can assist much in uplifting the hearts and minds of society and making a positive contribution to development and nation building.

    This qualification has been designed to produce people who will join the pool of reporters in the country who are able to do balanced reporting and writing against a theoretical backdrop of social-cultural complexity and politico-economic issues. Graduates will be able to assume positions as news Producers, Visual/Textual Journalistic Content producers and Government/Corporate Communication and Liaison Officers. In this regard, the Advanced Diploma in Journalism equips learners to do credible investigative research and to assume junior leadership roles in private media establishments, government bodies, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), among others, where clear and insightful communication channels are crucial to the functioning of the organisations, and to the dissemination of responsible and accurate information.

    The qualification also equips learners with skills that employers seek across a wide range of media and communication professions, including law, finance, government, media, and education. The transferable skills in demand include the ability to interpret events, unpack argumentative structures, analyse problems, and think laterally, creatively, self-critically and independently, along with the capacity to produce clear, argumentative analyses and to communicate effectively. These are skills required for further higher education study in a many organisations.

    The Advanced Diploma in Journalism will serve as a vertical articulation route to the existing Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL is applied in line with the institution's Report of the Admissions Committee (AC) Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.

    In addition the following criteria will be utilised if candidates do not meet the formal requirements, but have relevant industry experience of at least five years.

    Applicants must provide a portfolio containing sufficient evidence of written material, produced independently during the previous three years of their employment activities. This material must meet with the academic criteria at a level equivalent to NQF Level 6. The material must exhibit comprehension of theoretical knowledge relating to journalism and critical enquiry, and the ability to critically apply such theoretical knowledge.

    RPL may be used to admit learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements to the qualification and/or to grant exemption for modules in the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    A relevant Diploma in Journalism or Media Studies, Level 6. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 7, totalling 120 Credits:
  • Investigative Reporting: Issue-Based Journalism, 20 Credits.
  • News Production: Principles and Practice, 20 Credits.
  • News Production: Digital/Multi-Media Convergence, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Reporting: Column Writing, 20 Credits.
  • Newsroom Practice in Radio, Blogs and Documentary Projects, 40 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Comprehend how the mass media industry shapes perceptions through its representations.
    2. Develop investigative journalism research skills through close and careful reading, thinking, and critical assessment of material (both theoretical and popular), relating to contemporary issues within South Africa, Africa, and internationally.
    3. Develop innovative means of working with and augmenting existing mainstream, multi-media and other news dissemination platforms. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understand visual communication and literacy within the context of Journalism.
  • Understand Journalism as an industry and as an academic discipline within the context of South Africa and Africa.
  • Understand the South African political landscape as well as geography and general knowledge as applied in the journalism context.
  • Apply theory in practice within the discipline of Journalism, and employ ethical decision-making processes to professional choices.
  • Understand the problematic dynamics underpinning reporting on contemporary issues, as reflected in popular media.
  • Evaluate how different media sources approach news and communicate it in relation to their different contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Interpret and evaluate information from diverse socio-cultural and politico-economic contexts.
  • Use the hypothesis-method to generate investigative journalistic content for news stories and documentaries.
  • Produce journalistic material on a firm theoretical base in relation to politico-economic, socio-cultural and ethico-philosophical issues, such as poverty, education deficits, gender violence, environmental sustainability and food security via a holistic approach to the complexity of contemporary society.
  • Use theoretical comprehension and investigative journalistic research skills in relation to multi-media innovation to write critical scripts, columns and articles.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Understand the digital and mobile journalism environments.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills by innovatively generating, compiling and disseminating journalistic material in broadcast, online and audio-visual formats.
  • Create concepts for new programmes that utilise the convergence capacity of multi-media tools to ensure that news and information are produced rapidly, and presented with the requisite amalgamation of audio-visual and textual features.
  • Display spoken and written linguistic competency to function as a beat reporter in the broader South African media industry.
  • Develop clear interview questions, summarise collated information and observed events, create draft news stories within designated structures, and perform basic news editing.
  • Synthesise contextualised print media content, broadcast reports, and specialised reports or features for print, online or broadcast distribution.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All theoretical modules in the Advanced Diploma in Journalism will be evaluated through both formative and summative assessments.

    Formative assessments take place by means of tests, essays, tutorials and practical assignments. These are used to give formal feedback on performance to learners. Summative assessment concludes with formal written examinations. Final mark assessment is based on a 50/50 proportional ratio of the class mark to the examination mark. All formal written examinations are externally moderated by discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country.

    The integrated module in the Advanced Diploma in Journalism will be evaluated through both formative and summative assessments in the following manner:
  • Learners will work on projects that integrate the knowledge and skills acquired through the four theoretical modules of the qualification. These projects will be evaluated through continuous assessment.
  • In this regard, the learner will receive a log book, which must be filled in and signed off each week during the second semester, by the learner and the supervising lecturer/s, in order to assess the learner's assigned tasks and their ability to perform them. Through such means, the assigned supervising lecturer will remain in regular weekly contact with each learner, to ensure that the learner is adequately performing the tasks that have been allocated to him/her as part of their newsroom practice, and to assess the extent to which the learner is applying the theoretical knowledge they have gained during the qualification. The learner must supplement their log book with evidence of the work done during each week, namely:
    > Weekly news blog site updates.
    > Weekly concept scripts for radio investigative features.
    > Weekly contributions toward the production of a full length documentary (transcripts, storyboards, and investigative guidelines, etc.).
    > Weekly editorial team meeting minutes.

    In turn, summative assessment will be based on the synthesis of their formative assignments into a final, coherent whole.

    This synthesised project will be evaluated by an internal panel, and externally moderated by discipline experts based at universities elsewhere in the country, and within industry.

    Both of the above will be assessed through the continuous assessment of group/individual work, which involves the production of news and other journalistic material in various formats, and its presentation according to industry norms. This whole learning process will also be traced through the mandatory continuous updating of individual learner log books, through which personal and professional reflection will be facilitated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In terms of its focus and orientation, the Advanced Diploma in Journalism compares favourably with similar qualifications in other commonwealth countries.

    The Graduate Diploma in Journalism is a one-year full time qualification offered by the University of Technology Sydney. This qualification equips learners with the skills, knowledge and agility to build a career in today's rapidly changing, multi-discipline digital media landscape. Learners receive in-depth, hands-on experience in all aspects of Contemporary Journalism, with an emphasis on storytelling with digital tools for video, audio, mobile, social media and text, exploring innovation and embracing entrepreneurship.

    The qualification is suitable for people thinking about journalism as a new career, media professionals wishing to upgrade skills, attitudes and knowledge and anyone interested in learning how to harness the power of journalism.

    Graduates of the qualification will:
  • Have strong research and reporting skills.
  • Have knowledge and a critical understanding of the media.
  • Be equipped with the necessary skills to either enter professional practice in the media or continue with additional skills and intellectual depth.
  • Strive to promote the important role of professional and ethical journalism in the service of the public.
  • Have an understanding of the role of the media in local, regional, national and global contexts.

    The Graduate Diploma in Journalism Studies is also offered by Massey University in New Zealand. This qualification is for Journalists who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in the profession. The qualification is also suitable for anyone with an interest in journalistic writing.

    The qualification develops learners' understanding of both theoretical and applied issues in journalism and related areas.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the above two cited international qualifications in terms of the competencies the learners will develop. The topics covered are also similar. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers specific articulation possibilities with other qualifications offered by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. They are:


    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Communications, Level 8 (ID 83146).
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism, Level 8 (ID 80966).

    There is also systemic articulation possibilities with qualifications offered by other institutions provided they meet the minimum entry requirements. They are:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Journalism, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, Level 8. 
    		•

    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. Nelson Mandela 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.