Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management

Purpose

The competencies captured in this qualification will enable the learner to further develop their functional and reflective understanding of business management and administration. The qualification is intended to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and critical application of specialised knowledge and skills in business management, as well as in general management, organisational behaviour, human resource management, marketing management, accounting and economics. Learners will also master skills inherent in research and decision-making.

Learners successfully mastering the competencies in this qualification will be able to contribute to the broader society by making broad business decisions based on specific knowledge of specialised areas in business management.

The qualifying learner will be capable of

• Making business decisions using quantitative methodologies, technology and specialised knowledge in business management.
• Conducting advanced reflection on specialised practices and methods in order to contribute towards the extension of knowledge in business management.
• Analysing the integrated management of resources and processes in a business context.
• Analysing the socio-economic challenges of Southern Africa.

Rationale

This qualification meets the needs of the sector by empowering learners with the skills and competencies necessary to function at a higher level in the business management environment, both within the public and private sectors.

Further, the qualification allows working professionals to undertake advanced reflection on current specialised practices and methods in the business environment, using a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

The typical leaner attempting this qualification will have completed a cognate Bachelor's Degree, have the relevant work experience in the business environment and occupy a management position. This qualification will allow the learner access to further learning in the same or a related field.

It is assumed that learners have the knowledge, skills and cognitive ability required for a Postgraduate Degree at NQF Level 8.

Recognition of Prior Learning

This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Care will be taken that the mechanism used provides the learner with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not so onerous as to prevent learners from taking up the Recognition of Prior Learning option towards gaining a qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification for those learners who do not meet the minimum admission requirements.

Access to the Qualification

There is access to this qualification for learners who have

• Achieved an appropriate Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or 8, or an equivalent qualification.
• At least two years appropriate work experience.

To be awarded the qualification learners are required to obtain a minimum of 120 credits at NQF Level 8.

The qualification comprises the following six modules, of 20 credits each, at NQF Level 8

• General and Operations Management.
• Organisational Behaviour.
• Human Resources Management.
• Marketing Management.
• Accounting for Decision-Making.
• Economics.

1. Make business decisions using quantitative methodologies, technology and knowledge of specialised areas in an ethical and responsible manner.
2. Conduct advanced reflection on specialised practices and methods in order to contribute towards the extension of knowledge in business management.
3. Analyse the integrated management of resources and processes in a business context.
4. Analyse the socio-economic challenges of Southern Africa.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This programme develops all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes as listed below.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner for all the Exit Level Outcomes

• The appropriate technology is utilised across specialised areas in the business management context.
• Research skills are applied in an integrated manner in the business management context.
• Business management skills are applied across specialised fields in the business management context.
• Knowledge acquired during advanced reflection is transferred into practice through effective communication.
• An understanding of resource and process management is demonstrated in an integrated business management context.
• Management and commercial problems are identified, analysed and solved.
• Insight is demonstrated into the socio-economic challenges in Southern Africa.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment will be applied continually throughout the learning pathway of the individual learning outcomes and/or modules. Summative assessment will be applied to ensure the achievement of each learning outcome and/or module. Integrated Assessment will be applied extensively across the modules of learning so as to ensure the integrated achievement of the Exit-Level Outcomes.