Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Diploma (Min 360)
Credits
360
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
0
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 02 - Culture and Arts
Subfield
Sport
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2019-07-25
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2033-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The qualification purpose is to produce appropriately skilled entry-level managers who are able to support foundational management and administrative functions within a range of sport and leisure organisations, corporate businesses and government. Learners meeting the requirements of this qualification will be positioned to further their learning, practice, experience and career within the sport and leisure sector; either at higher levels of learning or in other areas of practice. The qualification will enable the qualifying learners to assume job responsibilities as sport or leisure managers in schools, clubs, private institutions or organisations, sport federations or leisure businesses in a range of areas which include, but are not limited to, sport team management, event management, federation management, leisure programme management or facility management. Learners will be sensitised to and will be enabled to establish commitment, policy and planning to achieve racial, disability and gender equity through sport and leisure programmes.
Rationale
This qualification aims to meet the needs of the sector, namely the sport and leisure industry's requirement for technically competent, customer oriented, commercially-minded practitioners who have the flexibility and capability to apply their skills and knowledge in a variety of customer orientated environments both for the domestic and the international market. The qualification is underscored by two pressing and related issues in South Africa, firstly, the need to create employment opportunities and secondly the need to support health and wellness objectives that benefit from physical activity, sport and leisure activities.
There has been extensive consultation with both government and industry, national and local institutions, municipal leisure organisations as well as relevant commercial recreation partners and not-for-profit leisure organisations such as the Adventure Recreation Association (ARA) and the Club Management Association of South Africa (CMASA).
Employability, as well as the opportunity to create start-up businesses will be a key element of this qualification. The qualification seeks to provide capacity, relevance and expertise within the niche areas of sport and leisure. The sport industry is growing rapidly in South Africa and globally.
Furthermore, the design of the qualification has taken into account the need for further vertical alignment and streaming into further Sport and Leisure Management qualifications levels, such as the Advanced Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma(s), Master's and Doctoral level studies. The vocational/ professional nature of the qualification will also facilitate progress into other relevant qualifications e.g. project management.
Thus, the qualification will produce qualifying learners who are innovative and entrepreneurial, and suitably enabled with knowledge and skills to service and support the growing sport and leisure market.
This qualification integrates the best elements of existing pedagogic provision (with the dynamic dimension of leisure, and recognises the need to develop a leisure framework in society.
Therefore, the rationale of the qualification supports the mission of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) which is to transform the delivery of sport and recreation by ensuring equitable access and excellence at all levels of participation and to harness the socio-economic contributions that can create a better life for all South Africans.
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
In keeping with national policy frameworks and the institution's mission and vision, widening of access is promoted through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against a qualification or part thereof for access or credits. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/ or formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual in nature, aimed at the individual needs of applicants and is handled in accordance with an institutional RPL policy. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL candidate to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- National Senior Certificate (NSC).
Or
- National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) at Level 4.
Replacement note
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 120 Credits
- Sport and Leisure Management 1, 24 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Marketing 1, 21 Credits.
- Sport and Physical Recreation Studies 1, 21 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Event Management, 18 Credits.
- Business Computer Applications, 18 Credits.
- Communication Studies, 18 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 240 Credits
- Sport and Leisure Management 2, 30 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Marketing 2, 27 Credits.
- Sport and Physical Recreation Studies 2, 27 Credits.
- Sport in Society, 18 Credits.
- Leisure Studies, 18 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Management 3, 30 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Marketing 3, 27 Credits.
- Sport and Physical Recreation Studies 3, 27 Credits.
- Introduction to Research in Sport & Leisure, 18 Credits.
- Sport and Leisure Industry Experience, 18 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Apply the essential concepts and theories that underpin the core business management disciplines to the management and marketing of events, athletes and facilities in a sport and leisure context.
- Identify, explain and apply the principles of exercise physiology and technology that informs sport and leisure (or a chosen sport) or human performance in general and use appropriate technology to assess performance.
- Evaluate and discuss the moral, ethical and legal issues underpinning good management practice in a sport and leisure environment.
- Critically evaluate the developmental role of sport and leisure in society and its relevance to contemporary issues such as race, gender and ability.
- Identify and apply primary concepts of research methodology relevant to the study of sport and leisure in society.
- Work successfully in collaboration with others, including staff and students, members of the general public and within the local sporting community, adopting a leadership role when and where appropriate.
- Present or communicate information in written, visual, electronic and verbal forms, including the use of Information Technology (IT) and software packages, appropriate to the sport and leisure industry.
- Demonstrate competence as a self-directed, reflective learner who is able to plan and manage their own continued personal and professional learning by continuously appraising their personal capability and working towards personal, career and academic development.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Plan, design and execute practical sport and leisure activities, events, projects and programming applying appropriate management techniques and procedures, including marketing and financial management/ budgeting.
- Develop a strategic marketing plan that applies the concepts of marketing to sport and leisure products.
- Conceptualise and present a sponsorship proposal in order to access funding for a sport and leisure event, team or facility.
- Assess case studies of the management practices of sport and leisure facilities, highlighting best practice and relating this to industry challenges and requirements.
- Design a strategic management plan for an organisation's athletes or teams that reflect strategic business goals and objectives.
- Interpret and discuss financial statements for a sport and leisure organisation.
- Develop a strategic human relations strategy for a sport and leisure organisation.
- Select and apply relevant legal practices and guidelines that inform the management operations within sport and leisure.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Prescribe a fitness training programme for an individual or team based on an understanding of human anatomy and exercise physiology.
- Create a modified training programme for a special population group, e.g. youth, women, elderly or disabled.
- Use technology to perform various fitness and physiological tests required to assess sport and leisure performance.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Using governance best-practice principles, assess the functions of an organisation within the sport and leisure context, highlighting their adherence to legislation and ethical standards.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Plan, design and execute a sport development program for a designated group, e.g. youth, women, elderly or disabled.
- Assess the impact and sustainability of sport development programs in South Africa through case study analysis.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Select and effectively apply a range of performance analysis tests in laboratory and fieldwork situations.
- Review an academic journal paper in sport and leisure research, identify and assess the key research methodology principles and activities used.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Submit assignments and conduct presentations both in groups and in individual situations.
- Submit a portfolio of evidence of leadership in a community engagement project.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
- Prepare presentations, technical reports, proposals, strategic plans and portfolios of evidence using industry relevant software packages, across a range of sport & leisure-based subjects and for a variety of potential industry audiences.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8
- Complete a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates competent and professional workplace behaviour and the application of sport & leisure management principles in a sport and leisure environment.
Integrated Assessment
Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.
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 relevant to the field of study and depending on the specific requirements of that particular subject. This normally includes a combination of the following:
- Classroom based activities and tasks.
- Assignments, projects (individual and group).
- Essays, reports and case studies.
- Practically planning and executing of events and leisure programmes.
- Experiential learning project reports.
- Integrated portfolios of evidence.
- Online assessments.
- Self-study assessments.
- Tutorials.
- Moderated discussions/forums (including online).
- Practical/ laboratory work.
The assessments may be conducted as individual or group work. Peer and self-assessment tools may also be used in conjunction with tutor-centred methods for some units to enhance student feedback.
Summative Assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learner's attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements.
Summative Assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination. This qualification consists of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examinations conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.
Integrated Assessments in this qualification will take place at the exit year (3rd year level) and learners will be assessed holistically by means of project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of industry.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.
Horizontal Articulation
- Diploma in Sport Technology, Level 6.
Vertical Articulation
- Advanced Diploma in Sport Management, Level 7.
International comparability
In terms of this qualification, an extensive benchmarking exercise was conducted with international partners, most notably: Bournemouth University (United Kingdom), Abertay University (United Kingdom) and JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), who are actively engaged in the field of sport management, sport business along with sport and leisure management. All of these institutions offer similar courses related to the business of sport and leisure management, although due to the nature of qualification structures at overseas universities these are typically offered as Bachelor Degrees.
However, in terms of the Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management a number of institutions/programmes offer this qualification globally. These include the Monaghan Institute, Ireland; Holland College, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Loughborough College, UK and the PSB Academy, Singapore, whilst numerous Community Colleges in the USA offer a qualification and/or credits equivalent to a Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management, which provide credits and access into Degree qualifications at State Universities.
As previously indicated the large preponderance of Sport and Leisure qualifications are at Bachelor Degree level. Bournemouth University revised its curriculum offering in the past few years, so this was an especially useful comparison. Besides these, the initial broad international scoping and comparison of the proposed course, namely in the field of sport and leisure was made with other universities whose global offerings, such as the following key examples:
- The University of Waikato, New Zealand: Degree of Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies.
- Cork Institute of Technology, UK: The Bachelor of Business in Recreation and Leisure Management.
- University of Otago, New Zealand: Bachelor of Physical Education (BPhEd) majoring in Sport and Leisure Studies.
- Trinity Western University, Canada: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sport and Leisure Management.
- East Tennessee State University, USA: B.S. in Sport and Leisure Management.
It is argued that the introduction of the Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management compliments existing sport 'oriented' qualifications e.g. sport science and sport development and importantly addresses the growing need to prepare graduates for the burgeoning sport and leisure industry. Furthermore, the international benchmarking has provided an opportunity to develop a qualification that will be optimally positioned within a single integrated national framework for learning achievements, and also have alignment and articulation into global qualifications.
The Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management will therefore facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths not only in South Africa, but also overseas.
As we approach the 4th Industrial Revolution it is anticipated that that service sector industries which include sport and leisure will play an increasingly important role for job and career opportunities. The new qualification will also provide the quality of education and training required in this growing industry segment.
Given the powerful social and economic role that sport and leisure can play in the up-liftment and development of communities, it is argued that this qualification is will placed to accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
The development of the Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management has benefited from our relationships with key academic international partners, whose experience has facilitated the optimal evolvement of a meaningful and relevant curriculum that aligns with international best practice and articulation prospects for continued professional development. The three institutions indicated have strong academic reputations, especially in the field of sport management, sport business and sport and leisure management. Inter-institutional discussions, meetings and oncoming collaborations (including active MoU's) have facilitated this process most notably with Bournemouth University, UK; JMK, Finland and Abertay University, Scotland, UK. The input from senior academics at these established institutions provided CPUT with the opportunity to design a qualification whose purpose proactively responds to social and economic needs in the sport and leisure industry not only in South Africa, but also globally.
The Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management takes cognisance of Sections 5(3), 13(1)(h)(i) and 27(h)(i) and (iv) of the NQF Act (2008), SAQA and the Quality Councils and has therefore been designed and developed to ensure that this South African qualification is internationally comparable and furthermore is recognised as being of an acceptable quality.
The international benchmarking exercise revealed that there has been a growing global recognition of the broadening of sport management studies to include the rapidly growing leisure sector. Several courses have been revised to include these aspects specifically. Globally, programmes have been adding features to their courses that examine the societal context of sport and leisure from a developmental perspective and not merely the business context. There is also a global emphasis on workplace experience in courses of this nature. However, a notable limitation of this comparison is that these international courses are predominantly degree courses, compared to a diploma. However, this serves as a suitable motivation to add an Advanced Diploma (degree equivalent) in future.
The national benchmarking exercise revealed similar revisions across universities of technology, although most institutions are offering courses tailored to the sport performance sciences or coaching sciences. This course will be a uniquely positioned qualification in sport and leisure management within the South African context with applicability and articulation to global institutions offering similar qualifications.
Providers currently listed
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No provider listing was captured on this qualification record.
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