Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership aims to provide individuals and their organisations with management and leadership competencies necessary for sustainability and a competitive advantage. It is a management development programme aimed at all managerial levels, enhancing with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for successful general business management and effective leadership.

It integrates all relevant disciplines such as finance, human resources, and marketing into the overall operational plan of the organisation. With a strong focus on problem solving and leadership competencies; this qualification is designed to prepare learners for professional and/or managerial roles in private, public, developing and not-profit sectors. The qualification will develop analytical and problem-solving skills and proactive thinking abilities. In addition, the qualification will provide the underpinning knowledge and understanding required to operate effectively in a managerial role. The emphasis will evolve from an operational to a more strategic perspective of leadership in a business context.

Rationale

The need for the development of leadership competencies as a driver of corporate activity has been highlighted by South African researchers, practitioners and notably by the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP).

Similarly, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 for South Africa emphasises the importance of leadership as emphasised in this extract: "The NDP aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. According to the plan, South Africa can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capacity of the state, and promoting leadership and partnerships throughout society".

Global research stresses the need for more leaders who have an integrated understanding of business processes and systems. Leaders are invaluable when it comes to formulating and communicating new strategic directions as well as motivating employees to increase dedication to organisational goals.

These local and global perspectives provide a rationale for ongoing business leadership skills development initiatives. The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership addresses citizen empowerment by means of carefully selected course elements which equip graduates with competencies to address complex leadership challenges. In addition, the qualification contributes to the graduate employability strategy by aiming to produce graduates who are capable of independent analysis, critical and innovative thinking as well as transferring lifelong learning skills to the community and industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution adheres to national requirements for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and has an RPL policy and procedures in place. In this context, the learning institution will allow for an educationally appropriate alternative access to the qualification. In so doing, it will recognise the following fundamentals:

• Formal learning, such as a course offered by a professional body, enterprise, private educational institution, or by any other accredited provider recognised by Monash South Africa. These may include professional development or on-the job-training.
• Experience of approximately three to five years working within the industry will be considered in conjunction with the academic record of the candidate based on the institutional policy of Recognition of Prior Learning.

RPL may also be granted for admission to the qualification, where an applicant's previous non-accredited formal study or informal learning is assessed as equivalent to the prerequisite qualification.

The institution may grant credit for subjects (modules) passed, with satisfactory grades, at other recognised higher education institutions if:

• The subject is considered to be similar in content and standard.
• It is relevant to the planned course/programme of study.

And

• Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirements are

• A Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

Or

• An Advanced Diploma, Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 90 Credits

• Strategic Leadership, 15 Credits.
• Management Theory and Practice, 15 Credits.
• Management of Business Information and Knowledge, 15 Credits.
• Ethics and Corporate Citizenship, 15 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 15 Credits.
• Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 15 Credits.

Elective modules at Level 8: 30 Credits (Choose two)

• Talent Management, 15 Credits.
• Organisational Learning and Development, 15 Credits.
• Value Based Marketing, 15 Credits.
• Integrated Brand Communication, 15 Credits.

1. Explain the critical importance of, and the interplay between, leadership-related concepts in the private, public and not for profit sectors.
2. Critically analyse the roles and responsibilities of business leaders within changing economic, social, legal, ethical and political contexts.
3. Develop a strategy and implementation plan to address complex management and leadership challenges.
4. Examine the role of analytical, intellectual, and ICT tools in assessing business opportunities and implementing appropriate business leadership strategies and tactics.
5. Discuss ways to nurture leadership and managerial talent to lead organisations to high impact and global reach.
6. Reflect on personal performance and planning and apply interpersonal, group-working, and leadership skills to enhance your performance and the performance of others.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss the concepts of leadership, marketing, business models, information technology, financial analysis, strategy and resource planning in the context of management.
• Differentiate between an operational and a strategic business context.
• Analyse and integrate the principles, theories and values of management and leadership in a strategic business context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Discuss the economic, social, legal, ethical and political contexts affecting the business environment.
• Elaborate on the changes which took place in the business environment of any Industry of your choice in the past five years.
• Conduct a political, economic, sociological, technological and environmental (PESTLE) analysis on the factors that affect the role of leaders in the execution of their duties.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Analyse and suggest appropriate solutions for leadership challenges.
• Develop a communication strategy on how to address complex management and leadership challenges through electronic, written and broadcast channels in an organisation.
• Present the said strategy to various role players.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Analyse a case study to identify the possible ways of applying analytical, intellectual and ICT tools when implementing business centric leadership strategies.
• Suggest ICT tools to be utilised in designing a leadership strategy.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Analyse theoretical and practical methods essential to developing leadership and managerial competencies.
• Suggest theoretical and practical methods which would contribute to organisational effectiveness.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Discuss the ethical merit of decisions as illustrated in a case study.
• Analyse your personal development of interpersonal and transferable skills as experienced in the past five years.
• Elaborate on the required ethical management and leadership skills vital to a successful organisation.

Integrated Assessment

The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Leadership is assessed using multiple and inter-related strategies. The assessment will be set to test the achievement of the learning outcomes of the programme as a whole, and will require learners to draw on all elements taught in the units. Modes of assessment include face-to-face class participation, online discussions, case study analysis, assignments, projects, business simulations, critical evaluations, online work groups, technical reports, presentations, role-play and reflective documentation of learning. Furthermore, each module contains a summative assessment which allows the learner to effectively assess their academic development.

Integrated assessment will be regarded as an essential component of this qualification to ensure that the stated purpose of the qualification is achieved. Accordingly, there is a clear relationship between the purpose statement, the Exit Level Outcomes and the integrated assessment. The programme coordinator will ensure that assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way, so that an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification.