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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101968  Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
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 11 - Services  Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
72692  Bachelor of Technology: Tourism Management  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  480  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The tourism industry is facing global challenges in terms of exogenous factors therefore, the purpose of this qualification is to broaden students' knowledge, stimulate critical thinking and problem solving as well as equip them with the skills to be competent in a wide-ranging tourism industry covering areas such as tourism development, marketing and management. The research project will provide students the opportunity to conduct research in a specialised field of tourism and will prepare them for a Masters qualification.

The typical student completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management will be a critical thinker, have an advanced understanding of complex issues facing the tourism industry, be able to conduct research and contribute to professionalism in the tourism industry.

Rationale:
The current Bachelor of Technology Tourism Management qualification will be phased out therefore the new Postgraduate Diplomas are imperative for progression and articulation purposes. This programme is aligned with the Level 8 qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework.

The tourism industry is a key sector in South Africa and has significant growth and job creation potential; however, there is a global skills shortage in the tourism industry, which this qualification will aim to address. Through comparison with national and international higher education institutions as well consultation with relevant stakeholders it became clear that a research component should be included in the qualification to prepare students for Postgraduate studies. Students with a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant discipline will be able to articulate into a Masters in Tourism Management and eventually a Doctorate. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming no prior accredited learning has taken place:
  • Candidate applies for RPL against module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department (Head of Department-HOD).
  • RPL officer is appointed from within subject heads (Subject experts) within the department.
  • The subject expert meets with the candidate to conduct pre-screening (evaluation) to ascertain viability of application based on programme requirements (Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria).
  • Candidate prepares evidence of work (portfolio of evidence) and/or any other relevant proof of evidence (practical work, assignments and or assessments). The evidence needs to be submitted to the RPL officer for RPL evaluation process.
  • The candidate then completes a RPL form and submits it to RPL officer.
  • An assessor from within the department is then appointed.
  • Evidence submitted by the candidate is assessed by the assessor. However, additional evidence may be requested.
  • A moderator from the department's advisory board and from within the candidate's industry is appointed.
  • The moderator moderates the candidate's evidence.
  • The moderator reports on the assessor's judgment.
  • RPL outcome is presented to faculty board by RPL officer.
  • If the credit is not awarded, an appeals application to independently appointed moderator or the registrar can be done. The process of moderation will then resume.
  • If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed, and the candidate may continue with full registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirements for admission to the postgraduate Diploma is an:
  • Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Tourism Development V, 30 Credits.
  • Tourism Marketing V, 30 Credits.
  • Tourism Management V, 30 Credits.
  • Research Project in Tourism Management, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Assess complex issues facing the tourism industry.
  • Develop strategies to systematically solve specific-defined problems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of tourism management principles and practices and apply these to the management of a project on an advanced level.
  • Comprehend and apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities.
  • Formulate a research problem and apply the relevant methodologies in order to make conclusions and relevant recommendations regarding a specific tourism related issue. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Assess various forms of alternative tourism critically.
  • Develop a persuasive argument that displays critical thinking and challenges existing assumptions about the application and relationship between tourism and development.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the politics of tourism as well as the roles of various stakeholders in tourism development.
  • Understand and assess the challenges of electronic marketing of travel and tourism services.
  • Develop a global, innovative, market-oriented and ethical outlook.
  • Evaluate and design strategies for optimally using ICTs for marketing travel and tourism services.
  • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of current business principles and practice relevant to the tourism industry.
  • Assess the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainability.
  • Identify, analyse and critically assess problems and issues within tourism organisations in both local and global contexts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the research process.
  • Formulate a research problem statement.
  • Apply the steps of the research process.
  • Make conclusions and relevant recommendations.
  • Disseminate research findings to an audience.
  • Assess the holistic nature of a tourism organisation and its role players critically.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and summative assessments will take place on this learning programme. Formative assessments will include any of the following: tests, assignments, oral presentations, debates, online activities and case studies. Summative assessment will include a formal examination or in the case of Continuous Assessment modules a portfolio of evidence.

    Assessment regulations are approved by Senate. Summative assessments are done on completion of modules. Reference and decisions are based on assessment description indicated in the study guide.

    Re-assessment opportunities include:
  • Rewrites which shall only be accepted until modularisation and CASS Policy are fully implemented on all levels of Higher Education Qualifications Framework.
  • Supplementary assessments proceeds after the main assessment to be scheduled soon thereafter.
  • Re-assessment is the final opportunity of assessments (this falls in line with the CASS Policy).
  • Additional assessment opportunity includes special circumstance, which is only granted when written permission, with all supporting documents are submitted.
  • Assessments will take place within 7 days after the main assessment.
  • Circumstances, which would allow for a special assessment, include illness supported by a medical certificate, serious injury, death of an immediate member and postponement decided upon by the University.
  • Special assessments are done during time slots scheduled for supplementary events. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management compares well with international qualifications in terms of the exit level outcomes as well as with the modules offered. The proposed diploma fosters critical understanding, problem solving, the practice of management principles and practices as well as research skills in a tourism context which is in-line with similar international qualifications. The postgraduate diploma covers content such as issues facing the tourism industry, tourism management practices and principles in a local and global context, entrepreneurship, the politics of tourism, sustainable tourism (including resource management), marketing issues including the use of ICTs in the marketing of tourism services as well as a research methods. This is in-line with some of the modules offered in the international qualifications which include for example: Social Science research methods, tourism management, tourism behaviour (similar to content covered in tourism marketing), natural resource management, marketing for hospitality and tourism, food and beverage management and contemporary issues in tourism. All of these qualification are equivalent to NQF level 8.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Parks, Recreation and Tourism offered at the Lincoln University, NZ have similar Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Provide graduates with a coherent understanding of parks, recreation and tourism at an advanced level.
  • Encourage an understanding of the complexity of the recreation, parks and tourism sectors, and how elements such as political systems, policy bodies, world and/or local economic and environmental change, can affect individual business decisions and long term planning within these sectors.
  • Establish a thorough understanding of parks, recreation and tourism including advanced knowledge and understanding of the behaviour of recreationalists and tourists, and the workings of those offering recreation and tourism services.
  • Equip students with the ability to contribute to recreation planning and development, at a range of levels, with an understanding of the complexities and nuances of the recreation or tourism industry; and an understanding of methodological issues.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management offered at the London School of Business and Finance have similar Exit Level Outocmes:
  • To focus on the latest developments in the hospitality and tourism industry.
  • To enable students to identify and understand the techniques and theory implied in the hospitality and tourism environment.
  • To develop professional hotel competencies such as effective communication skills, good customer service skills, leadership, team work and other relevant professionalism topics related to the industry.
  • To develop graduates with the necessary skills, knowledge to be immediately effective within the hospitality and tourism industry.
  • To develop in students a critical appreciation of the roles of managers within the hospitality and tourism industry.
  • To enable students to apply and evaluate managerial level decision making and problem solving.
  • To develop problem-solving skills, improve their ability to communicate and operate effectively as individuals within the hospitality and tourism organisation and as part of a team.
  • To enable critical reflection on the role of customer service, quality and productivity.
    To evaluate and assess the critical challenges and changes in the industry. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for articulation possibilities with the following qualifications.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management (NQF level 8) offered at other universities of technologies such as TUT, DUT, CPUT.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management (NQF level 8) offered at UNISA.
  • Honours Degree in Tourism Management (NQF level 8) offered at traditional universities such as NWU and UJ.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • A relevant Master's qualification, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.