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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111313  Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
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  2019-09-03  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences is to enhance the managerial competence of learners and to strengthen and deepen their knowledge in one of the following areas: Marketing; Retailing; Public Relations and Communication Management; Operations Management; Quality Management; Human Resource Management; Business Law, or Business Administration/Management. Upon completion of the qualification, learners should be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, and appropriate skills to interrogate and analyse business-related problems allied to one of the areas identified above, and develop appropriate solutions.

Rationale:
The qualification is designed to contribute to the full development of learners while fostering the social and economic development of the nation at large. According to Education Indicators in Focus (2003: 4), "Education has the potential to bring significant benefits to individuals and society, which go well beyond its contribution to individuals' employability or income." In support of the above statement, the National Development Plan (NDP) asserts that not only is education the critical enabler for economic development and growth in South Africa, but it also defines learners' identity, enables them to take control of their own lives, and raise healthy families.

Moreover, in accordance with the requirements of the revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF), the minimum admission requirements for a Master's qualification at NQF Level 9 is an appropriate NQF Level 8 qualification. Hence, the need arose for the development of a Postgraduate Diploma. Rather than developing separate postgraduate diplomas in the fields of Marketing; Retailing; Public Relations and Communication Management; Operations Management; Quality Management; Human Resource Management; Business Law, and Business Administration, the institution deemed it prudent to develop one clustered Postgraduate Diploma, which allowed learners the opportunity to choose to specialise in one of the above-mentioned areas. The multi-disciplinary nature of the qualification is also aligned with the purpose and characteristics of a Postgraduate Diploma.

The qualification is targeted primarily at those in full-time employment or in self-employment who want to familiarise themselves with contemporary theories, thinking and practices in strategic management and in one of the following specialised fields: Marketing; Retailing; Public Relations and Communication Management; Operations Management; Quality Management; Human Resource Management; Business Law, and Business Administration. In addition, a Research Proposal module as well as a Business Research Report module were included in the qualification to facilitate the progression of learning (to a Masters qualification, and ultimately, to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an RPL policy in place that allows learners access to higher education by recognizing their prior learning (completed qualifications, short courses and work experience. The learners are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting extensive work-based learning.

Learner's portfolio is thoroughly assessed against the relevant learning outcomes, and credits/exemption may be granted for some modules in the qualification, and/or admission may be granted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences, NQF Level 7, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules NQF level 8, 60 Credits:
  • Business Research Proposal, 8 Credits.
  • Business Research Report, 24 Credits.
  • Applied Strategic Management, 28 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 60 Credits (Choose one):
  • Human Resource Management, 60 Credits.
  • Operations Management, 60 Credits.
  • Quality Management, 60 Credits.
  • Business Law, 60 Credits.
  • Public Relations and Communication Management, 60 Credits.
  • Marketing Management, 60 Credits.
  • Retailing, 60 Credits.
  • Business Administration, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply a wide range of management principles to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address problems in business; generally, creatively and responsibly.
    2. Evaluate and critique relevant theories; principles and contemporary issues pertaining to strategic management in business sciences.
    3. Communicate academic, professional and management information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support.
    4. Prepare a research proposal and plan and execute a research report, using acceptable scientific methodologies, protocols and conventions.
    5. Manage one's learning tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Advanced business problems and challenges are identified.
  • Solutions to the business problems or challenges identified, using critical thinking and creative skills, are proposed.
  • Problems and challenges pertaining to business sciences are identified.
  • Proposed solutions to the business problems and challenges are implemented.
  • Solutions to problems and challenges pertaining to business sciences are proposed.
  • Proposed solutions to problems and challenges pertaining to business sciences are implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Relevant theories and principles pertaining to strategic management are evaluated and critiqued.
  • Contemporary issues pertaining to strategic management are evaluated and critiqued.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support, academic and professional information is communicated effectively.
  • Convincing and persuasive arguments that are grounded in a critical theoretical and practical context are presented.
  • A research proposal on a researchable topic is developed.
  • Using appropriate language, structure, style and graphical support, a business research report is developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A research proposal on a researchable topic is developed.
  • A literature review is undertaken.
  • An appropriate research methodology and design is chosen.
  • The results of the empirical study are presented, analysed and discussed.
  • Arising out of the findings from the study, recommendations are proposed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Learning tasks are independently or collaboratively executed.
  • Professional and ethical conduct in completing assessments in the qualification are observed.
  • Issues pertaining to plagiarism and acknowledgement of sources of information are observed.
  • Assessments are completed and submitted on or before the due date.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Aligned to institution's Assessment Policy, regarding integrated assessments for the this qualification:
  • The assessments will be aligned with the stated learning outcomes for the qualification.
  • Appropriate assessment tools will be used to establish that learners have achieved the stated learning outcomes.
  • Assessment will be systematic, regular and formative, and feedback to the learners about their progress toward exit level competence will be timeous and constructive.
  • The assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable, and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

    The 'Business Research Proposal' module and the 'Business Research Report' module will serve as integrated assessments, as learners will be required to prepare a research proposal to investigate a problem which is aligned to their chosen electives in either Retailing; Business Administration; Marketing Management; Human Resource Management; Public Relations and Communication Management; Operations Management; Quality Management, or Business Law, and write up a 30-40 page research report.

    In addition to the above, the assessment of the discipline-specific modules will be integrated. For example, for the specialisation in Human Resource Management, the assessments for the modules 'Applied Employee Relations', 'Applied Human Resource Development', and 'Applied Human Resource and Knowledge Management' will assess components of all three modules, as the modules are inter-related, and the syllabus content of each module is not mutually exclusive. These Integrated Assessments will make use of a range of Formative and Summative Assessment tools to assess combinations of practical, applied and reflective competencies, and may include: written assignments/projects; written tests; case studies, and examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    As the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences is a clustered qualification, offering electives aligned to Marketing; Human Resources; Retailing; Operations Management; Quality Management; Public Relations and Communication Management; Business Administration, and Business Law, it was not possible to make direct comparisons with similar qualifications. Instead, postgraduate qualifications offered in some of in the above-mentioned areas were examined, with a view to developing an internationally comparable qualification that was relevant for a developing country like South Africa. In the above regard, the following qualifications were evaluated:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, which is offered by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing includes the following modules: Integrated Research Project; Advanced Management Competencies; Marketing Planning, and Managing Global Dynamics.
  • The Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing offered by AUT Business School in New Zealand at Level 8 (120 Credits), includes the following modules: Marketing Management; Strategic Marketing Science; Applied Marketing Concepts; Understanding Markets, and Understanding Consumers.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (American University of Cairo):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management offered by the American University of Cairo, includes the following modules: Recruitment and Selection; Training and Development; Compensation and Benefits; Employee and Labour Relations, and a Research Project. The Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management offered by the Open University in the United Kingdom, includes the following modules: Human Resource Management in Context (30 Credits); Employee Relations and Employee Engagement (30 Credits); Research Project (30 Credits), and The Human Resource Professional (30 credits).
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (Open University in the United Kingdom):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration offered by the Open University in the United Kingdom, includes the following modules: Management Perspectives and Practices (45 Credits); The Dynamics of Strategy (30 Credits); Corporate Finance (30 Credits), and Entrepreneurship Experience and Perspective (15 Credits). The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration offered by the University of Otago in New Zealand, includes the following modules: Business Law; Organisational Leadership; International Business; Strategy Implementation, and Business Project.
  • The Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management (Indira Gandhi National Open University in India):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University in India, includes the following modules: Operations Research; Operations Management; Project Management, and Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management offered by the UNIES Institute in the Netherlands, includes the following modules: Foundations of Operations Management; Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management; Total Quality Management, and Strategic Operations Management.
  • The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management (Xavier Institute of Communications in Canada):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and Corporate Communication offered by the Xavier Institute of Communications in Canada, includes the following modules: Public Relations and Media Relations; Corporate Communication Concepts; Corporate Communication Practice, and Research and Research Writing. The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations and Corporate Communication offered by HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education in Hong Kong, includes the following modules: Strategic Public Relations; Public Relations Concepts and Critique, and a Public Relations Research Project.
  • The Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management (Institute of Advanced Studies in Education in India):
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Retail Management offered by the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education in India, includes the following modules: Marketing and Sales Management; Retail Stores and Operations Management; Retail Planning; International Retailing Trends, and Project.

    Conclusion:
    An overview of the above qualifications influenced the curriculum of the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences, more so in terms of module contents, and not necessarily in terms of the names of modules. This was also informed by the fact that some of the modules reflected above were already included in the Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences had to reflect progression of learning from the Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Masters in Management Sciences, Level 9.
  • Master of Business 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.
     
    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.