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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Real Estate 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99723  Diploma in Real Estate 
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula 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
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 11 - Services  Consumer Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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   2033-06-30  

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 the qualification is to equip learners with a comprehensive knowledge base, theory and methodology in the Real Estate field in order to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context after graduation.

Upon completion learners will be able to:
  • Work independently and contribute to the different sectors of the property industry such as property valuation, property management, property development, or property sales and letting.
  • Conduct valuations of all types of property using standard valuation methods.
  • Render services related to marketing, leasing and management of different types of property.

    Rationale:
    Real estate (property) is one of the biggest investments that most individuals would make and represents a substantial share of capital assets in the economy. All businesses involved in managing these assets require graduates with a high level of skills in understanding the economic and financial factors and policies that influence the operation of real estate markets.

    Property valuation is one of the most important aspects of the real estate business. There exists a critical shortage of suitably qualified professional property valuers in the country. According to the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP), the statutory body responsible for the registration of all Valuers, by January 2014, there were only 2219 registered valuers nationally for all the three levels of registration - that is, Candidate Valuers, Professional Associated Valuers and Professional Valuers combined.

    These numbers of registered persons fall short of the ever growing demand for professional services in the country. Municipalities, for example, have a dire need to employ professional valuers. The promulgation of the Local Government Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004 requires every municipality in the country to prepare Valuation Rolls for all properties within their boundaries, yet most municipalities do not have qualified valuers. The recent initiative by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in setting up the office of the Valuer-General further emphasises the need to widen the professional base of professional valuers in order to help meet the constitutional mandate of this important office concerning valuation of properties for land reform purposes nationally.

    The Diploma in Real Estate is well-suited to address the acute shortage of skills and expertise in the area of property valuers and property professionals. Transformation is required in the industry and this qualification will give qualifying learners an opportunity to gain access to a qualification and ultimately the profession.

    The qualification is intended to prepare learners for professional training, post-graduate studies and professional practice in real estate. To this end, the graduate will be able to register with the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession, the Estate Agency Affairs Board and the South African Institute of Estate Agents. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    In line with the Council on Higher Education and University policies, RPL can be applied to this qualification to grant access, where applicable, to learners who do not meet the entry requirementsto exempt leaners from modules or subjects already passed and/or to grant advance standing to learners.

    Entry Requirements:
    The entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with access to Diploma studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV),Level 4passed with access to Diploma studies. 

  • RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 5 and 6, totalling 360 Credits.

    Modules at Level 5, 180 Credits:
  • Property Economics and Finance 1, 30 Credits.
  • Construction Technology, 24 Credits.
  • Communication, 18 Credits.
  • Business Computer Applications, 18 Credits.
  • Property Valuation 1, 30 Credits.
  • Property Marketing, 30 Credits.
  • Property Law, 30 Credits.

    Modules at Level 6, 180 Credits:
  • Property Valuation 2, 30 Credits.
  • Property Economics and Finance 2, 30 Credits.
  • Property Valuation 3, 30 Credits.
  • Property Economics and Finance 3, 30 Credits.
  • Property Management, 30 Credits.
  • Property Development, 30 Credits. 

  • EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply knowledge of property finance in real estate.
    2. Apply knowledge of services related to marketing and leasing of commercial and industrial properties and the management of an estate agency.
    3. Demonstrate principles and practices for management of different types of properties.
    4. Conduct valuations of all types of property using standard methods of valuation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The concepts and structures of urban public finance including revenue and expenditure are identified.
  • The different sources and forms of property finance are accurately described.
  • The appropriate cost of capital and bases for capital budgeting are identified.
  • The nature and scope of real estate investments are identified.
  • The influence of tax on real estate is accurately described.
  • The investment decision process is correctly described.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The difference between the various fields of specialisation within commercial and industrial property is identified.
  • The leasing of an office block in the central business district of a large town is described in detail.
  • The process of costing and expected rental income is correctly described.
  • A plan for advertising and canvassing in search of potential tenants or buyers for a commercial/industrial property is presented.
  • Appropriate options for managing sales strategically are chosen.
  • The most appropriate methods of managing independent contractors and other estate agents are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Appropriate options and possibilities are considered to obtain suitable tenants.
  • A suitable, inclusive checklist for inspecting properties is developed.
  • The process of arranging for insurance on properties is explained.
  • A system is designed to successfully verify and pay creditors.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Several valuations are conducted on various properties using discounted cash flow and feasibility study concepts and other valuation methods to compile a valuation report.
  • Servitudes are correctly identified and their influence on the value of property is assessed.
  • The factors influencing the value of agricultural property are identified.
  • The principles of valuation as contained in the Expropriation Act are identified.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment often cuts across a number of modules of a qualification and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and thereby contributes to the learner's personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competences.

    Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks such as problem-solving (individual and/or group) assignments and projects, case studies, group/forum online discussions, reports and presentations.

    Summative assessment is aimed at assessing the learner's achievement against the learning outcomes of the modules and the qualification. Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. These assessments usually comprise a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including online tests, reports and online examination. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Diploma in Real Estate is compared with two similar qualifications offered internationally in the following countries:

    Singapore:
    The Ngee Ann Polytechnic presents a Diploma in Real Estate Business. This qualification is aimed at training learners in both the business and management aspects of the industry. The qualifying learner will develop the necessary skill sets to help property owners, investors and tenants to maximise the use of their properties to achieve the highest financial returns. Graduates will also be able to play a role in the valuation, strategic marketing and management of residential, commercial and industrial properties, as well as private and public residential properties.

    The modules cover the fundamentals of real estate business and building management, management, marketing, space planning, urban planning and sustainability and legal aspects of real estate. how to conduct property valuations and manage client relationships real estate finance, investment, global business and entrepreneurship alongside other aspects of building management such as building maintenance and refurbishment and fire safety management. Learners also undertake an industry-based project or internship.

    The successful completion of the qualification increasesthe possibility of employmenty in various fields of real estate including property investment, management, marketing, planning and redevelopment, finance and housing loans, and property valuation. The Diploma in Real Estate Business also grants successful learners access into related Bachelor's Degrees.

    Canada:
    The Diploma in Real Estate is offered by the Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. The qualification enjoys recognition from the University of British Columbia, the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the Professional Association of Managing Agents, the Real Estate Council of British Columbia, the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia, and the Homeowners Protection Office.

    The qualification is designed to provide the learners with a strong foundation in real estate. This enables qualifying learners to operate in any real estate field including property appraisal, real estate sales, construction and development, property management, energy sustainability, strata and rental management and real estate investing.

    Some of the modules include Real Estate Law, Real Estate Appraisal, Business Communications, Real Estate Investment Analysis, Property Management, Building Operations Management and Real Estate Finance.

    Conclusion:
    The South African Diploma in Real Estate consists of similar modules as the cited international qualifications. All three qualifications pursue the same purpose for the learner. The Diplomas from South Africa and Singapore have the same duration. The Canadian qualification is offered on a part-time basis over 5 years. The main difference is that the Diploma offered in Singapore offers an internship to learners. The Diploma in Real Estate thus compares well with its international counterparts. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific articulation opportunity with the following qualification offered by the Institution:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Diploma in Real Estate: Property Marketing, Property Practice and Property Valuation, Level 6 (ID86007).

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements:
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Bachelor of Science in Real Estate.

    Vertically Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Technology: Real Estate, Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Land and Property Development Management, Level 7. 

  • 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.
     
    1. Cape Peninsula University of Technology 



    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.