Postgraduate Diploma in Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to enable students and working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research within the management disciplines. It will therefore allow for graduates seeking academic knowledge in the field of management or pursuing a career as a manager within their respective field of specialisation, to master current management related knowledge that will contribute to their ability to be an effective and efficient manager. For those with some academic background in management it also provides an opportunity to extend the scope of their knowledge in the area.

A secondary purpose of the qualification is to equip students to pursue further formal study in the discipline of management. As a result, a research component is included. This research component involves applied projects of limited scope in the field of management. The constrained nature of the research project is appropriate for National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 8, and, will enable successful students to consider further Postgraduate study.

This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in order to undertake professional or highly skilled work. The specific skill sets incorporated into this Postgraduate qualification presents a combination that is attractive to prospective employers and adds value to the work place.

This Postgraduate qualification is designed to graduate students with the ability to think critically and act strategically, professionally and ethically which will enable their meaningful contribution to the managerial environment within their respective industry. The qualification design thus facilitates the development of a well-rounded management practitioner. Students have both the relevant theoretical depth and applied skills to further study or to enter the world of work. It is essential for managers to have an understanding and overview of all functional areas of management.

To support the purpose of the programme, the design engages with the following core disciplines within the management discipline:

• Strategic management and leadership.
• Contemporary management.
• Research and analysis.
• Global business management.

The design and selection of modules on this Postgraduate Diploma in Management aims to guide and support the development of students with the relevant insights and competencies to conduct situational business research, analyse and strategise around expansion into international territories, apply the relevant financial knowledge and skills to ensure the business is managed ethically, achieve sustainability and profitably through good decision-making techniques which are supported by the various management techniques, and lastly develop leadership skills and characteristics. The qualification is designed to instil the practices of critical thinking, analysing and academic discourse in self-directing the development of a field specific research report.

The outcomes for this qualification were identified as critical to develop a successful career in Management through providing students with competencies in theoretical and practical application of relevant principles, processes, procedures and research techniques. By understanding processes in the Management context, as well as best practice in the field, students will be able to strategically solve business challenges through informed decision-making. Furthermore, students will be adequately prepared to demonstrate competencies in contributing to the economic well-being of an organisation in a responsible manner.

Rationale

This qualification seeks to enrol students with a first Degree in an appropriate field, including but not limited to Management, or with a Degree and work experience and provide them with current and relevant theoretical knowledge and skills of key management issues, that would enable them to implement or guide sustainable management practices, and that will assist them to contribute to the ongoing profitability in a range of enterprise types.

Given that management skills are considered scarce and that there is a well-established body of theory and practise in the discipline, this qualification will seek to ensure that students acquire a deep understanding of management as a discipline and its application in the modern national and international context. As a result, they should be able to use the appropriate discourse to formulate, communicate, implement and assess proposals and strategies within the relevant management areas.

This qualification will enable students to apply a well-rounded strategic knowledge base to professional practice across a broad range of commercial and public structures and entities. Career opportunities, based on chosen electives, for students of this qualification exist as:

• General Managers.
• Divisional Managers.
• Managing Directors.
• Management Consultant.
• Departmental Manager.
• Project Manager.
• Logistics Manager.
• Researcher.
• Entrepreneur.

This qualification will prepare students to further their Management studies at Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, (HEQSF) Level 9.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process is governed by the relevant institutional policies. RPL processes are programme specific in that the criteria against which evidence of prior learning must be provided are determined by the learning normally assumed to be in place for qualifications at the level concerned in the field concerned. Instruments are only designed when requests are made as they are expensive to design, implement and assess. To date most applications to the institution for RPL of non-formal learning are at the Honours level. The procedure is governed by the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and qualification Completion Policy (IIE010). In addition to RPL, a Credit Accumulation and Transfer mechanism exists for access and advance standing for formal learning from a recognised, registered and accredited institution on a registered and accredited qualification. Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) rules as proposed by national policy are applied-no more than 50% of a completed qualification which cannot represent more than 50% of the target qualification will be awarded.

If an applicant applies for an RPL admission, the learning assumed to be in place for the programme is assessed against Exit Level Outcomes equivalent to the formal learning required for admission. This would include an evaluation of the content as well as the applicant's cognitive and technical competence. Applicants prepare a portfolio against these stated requirements which is then assessed by a team of experts/academics in line with the policy.

Recognition is awarded for

• Learning, and not for experience per se.
• Learning that is on the level of the specific level descriptors of the qualification/unit standard.
• Learning that is in line with applied competence and has a balance between theory and practical application appropriate to the subject or unit standard.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma are

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree.

Or

• An appropriate Advanced Diploma in a cognate field.

This qualification comprises five (5) compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

Elective Modules Level 8, 32 Credits (Select 1 bundle, consisting of 2 modules)

• Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Change Management, 16 Credits.

OR

• Marketing Management, 16 Credits.
• Retail Management, 16 Credits.

OR

• Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Industrial Relations, 16 Credits.

OR

• Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
• Small Business Management, 16 Credits.

OR

• Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.
• Logistics Management, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules Level 8, 94 Credits

• Contemporary Management Principles and Practices, 16 Credits.
• Accounting and Finance for Managers, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 30 Credits.
• Strategic Management and Leadership, 16 Credits.
• Global Business Management and Practice, 16 Credits.

1. Critically analyse the contemporary management theories, approaches and practices related to managing continuous change within the current business environment.
2. Evaluate innovative leadership and management practices in business, considering the implications of leadership and management strategy in the national and international environment.
3. Analyse the global forces shaping international business from a South African perspective, including globalisation, trade and investment, and international management.
4. Analyse the financial statements of an organisation, making deductions regarding the income, balance and cash flow statements that could impact the operations of the business.
5. Report critically and analytically on data collected through primary and secondary research.
6. Critically evaluate contemporary management approaches implemented within a functional area of management in an organisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Use relevant theoretical approaches to compare the key contemporary management perspectives of a South African business to those of an international business.
• Analyse the advanced theories of contemporary management, justifying their importance to managers in the business environment.
• Evaluate the changing contemporary environment of management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Compare the impacts of management and leadership on the implementation of strategy in a business.
• Critically analyse the theoretical framework and approaches to leadership and management.
• Evaluate the critical issues in management and leadership development common to both a South African and an international business.
• Analyse the ways in which leadership strategy is formulated and implemented in a business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Discuss location-specific advantages that will allow a particular business to expand internationally and/or with new partners.
• Analyse the interdependency of global monetary systems and foreign exchange markets.
• Formulate a strategy that will enable an organisation to compete in a variety of global business environments.
• Evaluate operations management in a global business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply basic accounting techniques for setting up and interpreting financial statements.
• Review financial statements of an organisation in order to make informed business decisions.
• Apply the appropriate ratio calculations when making business decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Identify the criteria for meaningful research.
• Define a research problem and its purpose, questions and goals.
• Assess the limitations and delimitations to a field-specific research study.
• Develop and implement an appropriate research design.
• Report on secondary research by means of a literature study that argues the research problem.
• Analyse primary research data to interpret research findings and insights.
• Write a report that reflects on the research design, providing meaningful recommendations for further research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Analyse the importance of a specific functional area within an organisation.
• Discuss the impact that functional areas have on the business as a whole.
• Develop a relevant project implementation plan to resolve challenges or pursue opportunities within a functional area.
• Recommend improvements for the contemporary management approach of a functional area.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment Methods and Instruments

Formative Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. Continual formative assessment is required so that students are given feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes. The scheme of work includes assignments, real-world briefs, tests and an integrated programme portfolio based on the learning material and students are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.

Summative Assessment

Summative Assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement must include integrated assessments which test the student's ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the Exit Level Outcomes as a whole. Examinations, projects, reports or equivalent assessments, such as a portfolio of evidence, assess a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed. Summative Assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

Integrated Assessments will be designed to achieve

• An integration of the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in a way which demonstrates that the purpose of the qualification as a whole has been achieved.
• The evaluation of learner performance which can provide evidence of applied competence.
• Criterion-referenced assessment which is clearly explained to, and understood by, the students and which can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning.