Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning is to develop expert legal practitioners or financial planning experts, specifically around Estate Planning in various contexts. The qualification aims to enhance appropriate knowledge and competencies through participative learning, enabling learners to make informed decisions, addressing challenges and issues and enables learners to provide sound advice based on legal and professional principles.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning intends to deliver learners who can act ethically and professionally, think analytically, communicate with relevant role players in the industry, interact effectively with the public and evaluate and apply relevant information from legislation, literature and secondary date sources to specific practical scenarios. On achieving this qualification the learner will be able to:

• Explain and apply relevant legislation and the principle of ethics in the Estate Planning industry.
• Understand and apply all the legislative and industry specific requirements to effectively draft all documentation relevant to the Estate Planning industry.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theoretical framework, key concepts and core legal rules and principles of all areas of the Estate Planning industry.
• Apply the theoretical legal knowledge and skills to practical administration processes.

Rationale

The purpose of this qualification is to provide individuals with an academic qualification and the necessary skills to become experts in the field of Estate Planning. Such learners will be able to provide leadership and expert advice within a multitude of financial and legal contexts e.g. providing advice to the Board of Trustees and to employees about legislative issues surrounding the Estate Planning industry. This qualification will also open doors to further study opportunities for individuals working in this specific environment, but who has not obtained a qualification.

Based upon its long-standing and respected expertise in tertiary education and training, its academic capacity, capability and infrastructure, the Centre for Financial Planning Law (CFPL) at the institution will be administering this qualification. The Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning is unique to the institution as it is not being offered by any other tertiary institution in South Africa thus enabling the institution to fill a gap that has been identified in the education and training arena. Furthermore, the CFPL is uniquely positioned to be able to provide such a qualification due to its position in the market, its current involvement with the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa and the experience and skill that is available.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The assessment of prior learning are governed by the regulations of the institution and supported by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Centre, in collaboration with heads of departments and programme directors of the institution. Assessment of prior learning concerns the recognition of formal learning successfully attained at other institutions learning that has already been assessed and accredited, as well as the recognition of prior learning acquired in other contexts (by means of work experience or other formal training). The qualification can therefore be achieved in part or in whole by means of the RPL process.

Entry Requirements

Minimum entry requirements are on the basis of the following

• A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification in a cognate field of study.

The qualification comprises of compulsory modules and an elective module at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Module, 60 Credits

• Estate Planning, 60 Credits.

Electives Modules, 60 Credits

Learner must choose either one

• Personal risk management, 60 Credits.
• Asset types and investment planning, 60 Credits.

1. Explain and apply relevant legislation and the principle of ethics in the Estate Planning industry.
2. Apply an understanding of the legislative and industry specific requirements to effectively draft all documentation relevant to the Estate Planning industry.
3. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the theoretical framework, key concepts, core legal rules and principles of all areas of the Estate Planning industry.
4. Apply the theoretical legal knowledge and skills to practical administration processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A risk-based approach to distinguish between different levels of risks is applied.
• Principles and methodology of personal risk management are applied.
• Creation and preservation of wealth is distinguished.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Appropriate methodology in identifying, evaluating and selecting appropriate risk handling methods to mitigate risks is utilised.
• The legal and regulatory environment pertaining to risk management is understood.
• Financial markets and investment instruments relevant in the current economic climates are identified.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Legal and tax solutions in the areas of accumulation, conservation and distribution planning are applied.
• Objectives of estate planning and the estate planning process are explained and understood.
• Components of estate planning are considered and addressed to produce an effective and practical estate plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit level Outcome 4

• The working of the stock market is understood.
• Different investment instruments available are compared and identified.

Integrated Assessment

The objective of integrated assessment in the Postgraduate Diploma in Estate Planning qualification is to assess whether the learners have acquired the necessary general financial planning skills and knowledge to effectively advice and provide leadership in the estate planning environment. Assessment in the qualification intends to improve the curriculum, inform teaching, guide learning (formative), monitor learner progress, and for grading purposes (summative).

Summative assessment will include one assignment for each module and the examination sessions, internal moderation and external moderation are undertaken to ensure the reliability of the assessment procedures. Suitably qualified external moderators/examiners are appointed in terms of clear criteria and administrative procedures and conduct their responsibilities in terms of clear guidelines.