Advanced Diploma in Management

Purpose

The qualification aims to develop graduates with the capacity for lifelong learning and an awareness of the social context in which they will be working, once they enter the business world. The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Management is to provide qualifying learners with applied competencies in the mastering, analysing, interpreting and applying specialist and general business and management principles in preparation for a career in a wide range of management field as well as to provide a basis for graduate studies in these fields.

This qualification further to prepare learners for Postgraduate study and to become fully competent organisational leaders and managers within and across the core functions of an organisation. This is done through the development of ethical consciousness and a deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices in the selected management related functional areas. The scope of knowledge in this qualification is integrated knowledge of the selected functional areas of management.

The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners to enter the business profession, to engage in careers that require the application of management principles, and to pursue postgraduate studies in management with the following competencies, knowledge, skills and values:

• Develop strategic plans which integrate environmental research findings (derived from macro-, industry-and internal-environmental scanning) and which show sensitivity to changes in risks and opportunities impacting the strategy.
• Apply strategic decisions in a theoretically sound way, ensuring goal maximisation, as well as a willingness to apply innovative solutions where appropriate.
• Analyse and critically evaluate the financial statements of any organisation.
• Make investment decisions based on the analysis of financial statements.
• Decide on short and long-term budgets and display an understanding of the management of the finances of an organisation.
• Consider the implications of bond evaluations and shares.
• Apply long term decisions on the feasibility of projects using investment techniques.
• Estimate a project's cash flow and business risks and its suitability for inclusion in a firm's portfolio of investments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of project life cycles, work break down structures.
• Develop a project schedule, including a project procurement schedule and a basic project resource plan and s-curve.
• The execution of a basic project baseline plan is monitored and corrective action s taken when required.
• Plan, monitor and control of administrative staff members. Appropriate information systems.
• Managing culture and diversity in an administrative function.
• Setting personal goals and demonstrate an ability to develop self and employment prospects.
• Demonstrate theoretical and practical information across a range of functional areas of management is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated in the form of reports and projects
• Develop strategic plans which integrate environmental research findings (derived from macro-, industry-and internal-environmental scanning) and which show sensitivity to changes in risks and opportunities impacting the strategy.
• Show an appreciation for the global forces affecting the social and economic policies of an emergent market economy.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of key economic concepts (micro and macro-economics, supply and demand, price elasticity) and apply the language of economics appropriately to the context and system at play.
• Develop a framework in which to understand the workings of a modern macroeconomy and the consequences of any intervention (e.g. by the government), especially in the context of an emergent economy.

Rationale

This qualification is designed to provide the learner with the extensive understanding in management, project management and financial management and to ensure effective functioning by applying essential business strategies, principles and techniques. It builds on the fundamental principles, concepts and methods of the disciplinary knowledge and skills gained in the Diploma in Management and other related Diplomas. It allows qualifying learners an opportunity to broaden the scope of their knowledge and gain an in-depth understanding of the areas of specialisation which will prepare them adequately to enter Postgraduate studies in this and other related fields. It provides learners with insights to the world of work through work-integrated learning modalities thus giving them exposure to the demands of a changing work environment.

The South African economy is characterised by a high-level of unemployment and severe shortages of specific skills which are demanded in the economy. Critical shortages exist mostly in the management sector ranging from managers and professionals hence the rationale for this qualification is to strive to instil managerial, financial and project management skills in learners to support academic talents. Also, the importance of effective corporate governance, transparency and ethics in management underpin the implementation of this qualification. A qualified learner will be able to work in both the public and private sector as project managers, general managers, administrators and financial experts.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning shall be recognised, subject to the requirements of the qualification and as per the institution's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL processes are designed to grant access and the application is evaluated against the entry requirements of the qualification. Learners seeking access to higher education who do not hold a National Senior Certificate with the appropriate exemption may be considered for the RPL.

RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission into this qualification. This qualification may be achieved in part through recognition of the prior learning processes. Evidence of prior learning must be assessed through formal institutional RPL processes and recognised methods. Any other evidence of prior learning should be assessed through RPL processes to recognise achievement thereof.

Entry Requirements

• Diploma in Management, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Local Government Finance, Level 6.

Or

• An equivalent qualification at Level 6.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits

Compulsory modules at Level 7, totalling 72 Credits

• Management, 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 24 Credits.
• Administrative Management, 24 Credits.

Elective modules at Level 6, totalling 24 Credits (choose one module)

• Economics, 24 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 24 Credits.

Elective modules at Level 7, totalling 24 Credits (choose one module)

• Project Management, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management, 24 Credits.

1. Plan strategically to give direction to the enterprise in a dynamic environment, implement goals and strategies successfully and apply the concepts of strategic management on all management levels to cope with environmental challenges.
2. Interpret and prepare financial statements and draw relevant conclusions for investment purposes.
3. Manage projects within the enterprise.
4. Apply administrative principles within the enterprise.
5. Apply basic principles of research, collect, analyse, organise theoretical and practical information across a range of functional areas of management and critically evaluate information if an area of specialisation is selected.
6. Assess and reflect on how broad economic realities affect organisations in varying situations using taught economic principles, concepts and frameworks and, what the implications for managing organisations are, given these realities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 1

• Develop strategic plans which integrate environmental research findings (derived from macro-, industry-and internal-environmental scanning) and which show sensitivity to changes in risks and opportunities impacting the strategy.
• Apply strategic decisions in a theoretically sound way, ensuring goal maximisation, as well as a willingness to apply innovative solutions where appropriate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 2

• Analyse and critically evaluate the financial statements of any organisation.
• Apply investment decisions based on the analysis of financial statements.
• Conclude on short and long-term budgets and display an understanding of the management of the finances of an organisation.
• Consider the implications of bond evaluations and shares.
• Apply long term decisions on the feasibility of projects using investment techniques.
• Estimate a project's cash flow and business risks and its suitability for inclusion in a firm's portfolio of investments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 3

• Demonstrate an understanding of project life cycles, work break down structures.
• Develop a project schedule, including a project procurement schedule and a basic project resource plan and s-curve.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 4

• Establish administrative staff members level of Planning, monitoring and control of appropriate information systems.
• Determine culture and diversity in an administrative function.
• Create personal goals and demonstrate an ability to develop self and employment prospects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 5

• Demonstrate theoretical and practical information across a range of functional areas of management is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated in the form of reports and projects.
• Develop strategic plans which integrate environmental research findings (derived from macro-, industry-and internal-environmental scanning) and which show sensitivity to changes in risks and opportunities impacting the strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 6

• Outline an appreciation for the global forces affecting the social and economic policies of an emergent market economy.
• Thorough understanding of key economic concepts (micro and macro-economics, supply and demand, price elasticity) and apply the language of economics appropriately to the context and system at play.
• Develop a framework in which to understand the workings of a modern macroeconomy and the consequences of any intervention (e.g. by the government), especially in the context of an emergent economy.
• Apply the economic way of thinking about problems, how to reason accurately and objectively about economic matters and explain the relevance of this for business in a new and global market context.

Integrated Assessment

There are assessment strategies used to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching and learning. For instance, some of the assessment strategies include participative assessment and a case method.

Other assessment strategies include formative assessment, summative assessment and balancing formative with summative assessment. Formative assessment includes tests, presentations, assignments, case study methods, practical exercises and projects in the case of research are used to evaluate the performance of the learners. Summative assessment includes a written examination. At the end of the year those who have obtained the minimum pass percentage following faculty and institutional guidelines are promoted.