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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117725  Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management 
ORIGINATOR
Business Management Training College (Pty) Ltd 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Human Resources 
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  SAQA 1141/23  2020-09-29  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management is to facilitate specialised Human Resource (HR) knowledge and skills in an intensive qualification that is based on the South African Human Resource competency model and the International Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) guidelines. This qualification will enable continuous professional development for human resource professionals by building on their current skills through developing learners' current thinking and critical evaluation skills by applying methodology, principles and theories of the HR discipline.

Furthermore, this qualification is designed to provide the qualifying learner with a multifaceted and profound understanding of current thinking, practice and advance theory in the field of HR management.

The qualification develops learners' ability to critically evaluate information and to find evidence-based solutions to support theory-driven arguments. The qualification thereby improves the learner's information gathering and retrieval skills. The research component empowers learners to critically analyse and synthesise research data by compiling a research report. The research data must be presented coherently using the basic conventions of academic and professional discourse.

Rationale:
Human Resource Management (HRM) is a dynamic and challenging field of study which focuses on the human resource architecture of organisations and stems from the study of management. The HR professional of the 21st Century must be regarded as strategic partners, administrative experts, employee champions and change agents, equipped with specialised HR skills and knowledge to meet the critical needs and objectives of the business. Furthermore, HR managers should regularly execute research to update the organisation on the fit between the external opportunities and internal strengths, while observing the impact of the organisation's external threats and internal weaknesses on its future viability.

The qualification is an intensive, focused and specialised qualification that prepares learners for the HR profession. The objective of the qualification is to develop HR leaders that can add value to their organisations by functioning as employee advocates, human capital developers, strategic partners by being business experts, change agents and knowledge managers; and being functional experts who can apply a thorough focus on critical business issues to achieve organisational objectives.

The qualifying learner must be able to take responsibility for his/her learning in an unfamiliar learning context by taking the initiative and responsibility to accurately address learning needs including evaluating personal performance. Also, the qualifying learner must be able to demonstrate well-rounded, systematic and advanced knowledge in the human resource management field which includes selecting and applying methods, procedures and techniques.

There is a growing concern in South African organisations to integrate ethical behaviour into its organisational culture. The qualification aims to develop ethical HR managers that value the importance of optimising human capital by focusing on the wellness component to enhance the physical and emotional wellbeing of employees. Qualifying learners will be able to apply for professional registration with the South African Board for People Practice (SABPP) professional body at the HR practitioner level.

The qualifying learner will be able to pursue a possible career in the following; HR Manager, HR Analyst; HR Career Advisor analyst, HR Generalist, HR Specialist and Executive Human Resource Officer. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution acknowledges that all learning has value and therefore endeavours to recognise prior learning and allow learners' access to the qualification following the Institution's RPL Policy.

The institution endorses the fundamental values of Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) and RPL to widen access to higher education. If a learner can demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the relevant qualification the learner will be allowed entry into an appropriate qualification or appropriate credits/exemptions will be assigned to the learner. The assessment of prior learning for CAT and RPL must be on the same standard as a normal learning assessment on the specific qualification and RPL and CAT processes and procedures followed must be reasonable, practical and cost-effective.

The following principles of assessment are considered when assessing an RPL applicant's evidence of prior learning:
  • The learner has demonstrated the actual learning outcome that is being claimed.
  • The learner has demonstrated that he/she is currently capable of performing the learning outcome claimed for RPL.
  • The evidence provided for RPL assessment is valid and fit for purpose in terms of the learning outcome claimed for RPL purposes.
  • The evidence provided for RPL assessment is of sufficient quality and quality to ensure the candidate's competency for the learning outcome claimed.

    The institution endeavours to recognise prior learning as a way to give learners access into the qualification through a process in which knowledge and skills already attained are recognised.

    Credits previously obtained may be recognised as meeting the requirements for a different qualification or meeting parts of the requirements for a different qualification. Decisions regarding the recognising and transferring of credits are made an experienced RPL assessor, who serves on the Academic Council.

    Learners may apply for the following credits to be recognised and transferred to another qualification:
  • Inter-institutional credit accumulation and transfer - credits previously obtained at another institution or training provider may be recognised as meeting part of the requirements of the institutions' qualification.
  • Intra-institutional credit accumulation and transfer - credits previously obtained through completing the institution's qualification may be recognised as meeting part of the requirements of another qualification of this institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An appropriate Diploma at NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits:
  • Advanced Strategic Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Human Resource Management, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Labour Relations, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced Leadership, 15 Credits.
  • Ethics and Social Responsibility, 15 Credits.
  • Performance Management and Employee Development, 15 Credits.
  • Research Methodology and Research Report, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to function as a strategic partner.
    2. Demonstrate advance understanding of leadership in the business environment.
    3. Function as an employee advocate by promoting best Human Resource Management practices in an organisation.
    4. Apply focus on critical business issues and labour relations matters to achieve organisational objectives.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to function as a human capital developer by appraising and implementing ethical principles.
    6. Produce a research project for the HR industry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Evaluate the relationship between an organisation's human resource strategy and its strategic management strategy.
  • Discuss the impact of strategic reward management on the organisation.
  • Analyse the impact of globalisation on organisations.
  • Critically evaluate the different HRM issues and practices associated with various strategies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Comment on leadership as a key element in effective management.
  • Identify challenging trends for business leaders.
  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of people dynamics and its importance to the organisation.
  • Present a business case for managing diversity in organisations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply strategic human resource management principles and practices in business management activities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of job analysis and job design.
  • Comment on employee wellness as a process of creating and maintaining an environment in which employees can perform at their peak.
  • Critically evaluate the importance of performance management, policies and relevant human resource procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Comment on the framework of labour relations in South Africa as an open systems model.
  • Examine the impact of macro- and micro environmental factors on labour relations.
  • Comment on the various value systems and associated management styles that impact on an organisation.
  • Elaborate on the role of government and its various strategies that impact on labour relations in South Africa.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the importance of Business, Government and Society.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Critically discuss ethical issues and challenges in human resource management and recommend best practices.
  • Investigate how ethics is deeply embedded in business on both the macro, meso and micro levels of economic activity.
  • Develop a corporate governance framework for managing ethics.
  • Critically discuss the role of ethics in leadership.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methodology.
  • Select a suitable research topic.
  • Compile a research proposal which outlines the significance of the research and intent.
  • Conduct research according to the selected research design and methodology.
  • Demonstrate the application of ethical and professional practices during the research project.
  • Produce a research project with relevant findings and recommendations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The institution follows an Integrated Assessment strategy in line with its assessment policy. All assessment instruments (Formative Assessment and Summative Assessments) must adhere to the rules and standards as indicated in the institutions' overall assessment policy and qualification development policy as outlined in this curriculum document.

    Learners must complete all six modules. The assessments for each module include a formative and a summative assessment. The six compulsory modules carry a combined weighting of 75% toward the final course average.

    Formative Assessments:
  • Formative assignments are completed online and for each module. The pass mark for formative assignments is 50%. Each formative assignment may be attempted more than once; the final formative assignment mark will be the highest results obtained by the due date for the specific assignment.
  • A formative assignment counts 25% towards the module mark, and a summative assignment counts 75% towards the module mark.

    Summative Assessments:
  • Summative assignments are completed online, and learners are required to achieve a minimum mark of 50% to pass the summative assignment. Learners are allowed two opportunities per module to complete and pass a summative assignment. Subject to approval, a learner may be granted permission for a third opportunity to attempt a summative assignment for a module at a specific date and pay an additional submission fee. However, an assignment submitted for at a third opportunity will be capped at 65%.
  • A Research project must be completed at the end of the academic year. The pass mark for the project is 50%. The project carries a weight of 25% towards the final year mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared with the following international qualifications.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: Australian Pacific College.
    Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma of Management (Human Resources).
    The qualification aims to prepare qualifying learners for careers as Human Resources Directors and Strategists in leadership roles with a strong focus on planning the human resources activities of an organisation. For this reason, the qualification develops graduate's technical, creative, conceptual or managerial competencies. The Australian qualification covers the following key topics which are similar to the South African qualification: Manage Diversity, HR Planning, Management of Change, Excellence in Leadership, Strategic Planning, Risk Management, Organisational Planning and Financial Management.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: Northern Sydney Institute.
    Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma of Management (Human Resources).
    This qualification is offered for people with significant work experience, who want to become human resource managers. In Australia, the qualification is recognised by the industry as the qualification needed for employment as a human resource manager or specialist dealing with strategic human resource management.

    This qualification should equip learners with the necessary skills to excel in a human resource career. The South African qualification examines diverse aspects of human resource management and focuses on developing core competencies required to ethically lead employees in a rapidly changing environment which is a similar focus with this Australia qualification. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Human Resource Management, NQF 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. Business Management Training College (Pty) Ltd 


    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.