What will I learn in this programme?

In the Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management programme, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of public sector management and leadership, focusing on the delivery of high-quality services and the promotion of a democratic and developmental state.

You will learn essential knowledge in key public sector areas and develop critical skills in management, leadership, problem-solving, policy analysis, and implementation. Additionally, you will cultivate research skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities and embrace ethical and professional behaviour.  This programme will equip you with the competencies necessary for advancing political-administrative stability, responsiveness, and accountability,  ultimately supporting South Africa's development as a democratic state.

What is the purpose of this programme?

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Public Management is designed to equip public managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality services and drive South Africa's transformation as a democratic, developmental state.

Key Objectives:

• Develop a commitment to the public good
• Master essential knowledge in public sector focus areas
• Acquire effective managerial, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Analyze and implement policy directives
• Conduct basic research in the public sector
• Work effectively in teams and lead task completion
• Embody ethical and professional behaviour

Career Advancement:

• Prepares students for Master's-level studies
• Aligns with the SMS Competency Framework for career advancement
• Enhances career opportunities in public management-related fields

Contribution to a Developmental State:

• Supports the realisation of South Africa as a developmental state
• Helps higher education providers establish relevant curricula in public management

Where can this program take me?

A Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management is your passport to a fulfilling and impactful career. This qualification empowers you to shape public policy, lead complex organisations, and drive positive change within your community. From government agencies and non-profits to international development organisations, this degree opens doors to diverse roles where you can make a real difference. Whether you aspire to manage public finances, optimise service delivery, or spearhead innovative projects, this program equips you with the strategic thinking, leadership skills, and ethical foundation necessary to excel in the dynamic world of public service. On successful completion of the PGDip in Public Management, students may be admitted to the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) degree. It should be noted that only in cases where students have completed an undergraduate qualification in Public Administration / Management (NQF 7), as well as this PGDip (NQF 8), may they be admitted to the Master of Arts in Public Management and Governance.

 

How will this programme benefit me?

Our Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management is designed for individuals like you who are driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the public sector. This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to drive transformative change, improve public services, and enhance the lives of citizens. Through our programme, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex social, economic, and political contexts that shape public management and develop the leadership and management skills to navigate these challenges effectively.  Join our community of change-makers and become part of a movement that is shaping the future of public management and making a real difference in the world.

 

Why was this programme created?

Our Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management is designed for individuals like you who are driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the public sector. This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to drive transformative change, improve public services, and enhance the lives of citizens. Through our programme, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex social, economic, and political contexts that shape public management. You'll also develop the leadership and management skills to navigate these challenges effectively.

 

Building a Capable and Developmental State:

The South African Constitution (1996) envisions a professional, accountable, and development-oriented Public Service. The 2030 National Development Plan (NDP) outlines steps to promote these values and build an efficient, effective, and development-oriented public sector.

Developing Skilled Public Officials: The NDP highlights the need for well-run state institutions with skilled officials committed to delivering high-quality services and prioritising developmental objectives. In response, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) introduced the Senior Management Service (SMS) Competency Framework to ensure professionalism at the senior management level.

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management: Our NWU Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Public Management is designed to meet the NDP's focus and the SMS Competency Framework's requirements. This distance-learning program provides public officials with access to a postgraduate qualification that aligns with the SMS Competency Framework, promoting professional and occupational development. We also welcome students from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Join our community of change-makers and become part of a movement that is shaping the future of public management and making a real difference in the world.

 

What career paths are available for me?

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management opens doors to a wide range of fulfilling careers. Graduates can find themselves at the heart of government, driving policy, managing budgets, and delivering essential services. The public sector, non-profit organisations, and even the private sector seek individuals with this expertise to tackle complex challenges and create positive change. From leading community development initiatives to optimising public health programs or managing large-scale infrastructure projects, the possibilities are vast and impactful.

 

What impact will this program have on your career?

Our Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management is designed for individuals like you who are driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the public sector.  This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to drive transformative change, improve public services, and enhance the lives of citizens. Through our programme, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex social, economic, and political contexts that shape public management and develop the leadership and management skills to navigate these challenges effectively. Join our community of change-makers and become part of a movement that is shaping the future of public management and making a real difference in the world.

 

What is the duration of this programme?

The minimum duration is one year, and the maximum duration is three years, calculated from the date of first registration.

 

What sets this program apart?

Our Post Graduate Diploma in Public Management is designed for individuals like you

who are driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in the public sector? This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to drive transformative change, improve public services, and enhance the lives of citizens. Through our programme, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the complex social, economic, and political contexts that shape public management. You'll also develop the leadership and management skills to navigate these challenges effectively. Join our community of change-makers and become part of a movement that is shaping the future of public management and making a real difference in the world.

 

Which modules are presented in this programme?

First semester modules

• PGPM517 Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector (20 credits)
• PGPM518  Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (20 credits)
• PGPM519 Governance, Public Management and African Leadership (20 credits)

Second-semester modules

• PGPM521 Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (20 credits)
• PGPM522 Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting (20 credits)
• PGPM523 Public Sector Transformation and Reform (20 credits)

Total credits for the programme: 120

For more information about the outcomes of the modules, please refer to Yearbook

 

Do I qualify for our program?

Admission requirements: The admission requirements for all formal Academic qualifications offered by the University are set out in the NWU Admission Policy as approved by the Senate and Council.

For this PGDip, the minimum admission requirements are:

• An Advanced Diploma in Public Administration at NQF Level 7 or any other relevant Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7; or
• A Bachelor’s degree or similar at NQF Level 7; and
• A minimum of 3 years of appropriate work experience in the public sector.

It should be noted that the number of candidates accepted into the programme every year is subject to the School’s capacity to ensure quality service delivery to all candidates.

 

Can I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that recognition of prior learning (whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution, or informally by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme of the University.

Eligibility for RPL at the NWU is outlined in its Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. The following stipulations in the RPL Policy regarding eligibility are specifically relevant to this qualification:

• Any prospective student wishing to make claims of equivalence will have to produce written evidence of their competence to undertake a programme at this level (written entrance assignment set by the university) in accordance with the University’s RPL Policy and rules.
• Candidates who have exited formal education at a time in their education careers but have since accumulated experience through short courses may seek exemption for some modules or levels or status for a whole qualification that would enable them to further their studies.
• Candidates who want to fast-track progression through a learning programme by way of exemption for modules or levels in consideration of informal or non-formal learning accomplished.
• The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in a formal setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge must still comply with all the requirements as stated in learning modules and learning programmes and qualifications. The difference is the route to the assessment. Assessment takes a holistic view of the process of the evaluation, where the context of the learning and the context of the person who is being assessed are taken into account.
• Only 10% of enrolments may be admitted through the RPL route. Recognition of and exemption from modules
• A student who studied at another recognised higher education institution and who applies to register for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management may apply in writing to the dean concerned for recognition or exemption of modules required for the qualification programme, provided that the dean may grant recognition or exemption for no more than half the credits.
• A student who has obtained a qualification from the University or any other recognised higher education institution and who applies for registration for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management may apply in writing to the dean concerned for recognition or exemption of modules required for the qualification programme provided that the dean may grant recognition or exemption for not more than half the credits.

 

How will I be assessed during this program?

Throughout the programme, you will be evaluated through continuous assessment, which means that a combination of various assessment tasks will determine your final mark for each module.

These tasks will be weighted accordingly, and your overall performance will be calculated based on the weighted average of these assessments. To pass each module, you will need to achieve a minimum of 50% of the total marks available.  This approach ensures that your progress is regularly monitored and that you have multiple opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills while also maintaining a high standard of academic rigour.

Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable, and they ensure that no student is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, so an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification. Furthermore, learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably interwoven. Whenever possible, the evaluation of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the qualification will be integrated. Opportunities for both continuous formative and summative assessments are embedded in the learning design of this qualification in the form of limited contact tuition sessions and online facilitated support for the written practice and summative assignments. Students are assessed on the application of learned skills in order to ensure that theory evolves into effective practice. Outcomes are evaluated in an integrated manner by means of group work projects as well as written assignments, wherein not only the student’s evidence of the mastering of discipline-specific knowledge and skills are assessed, but also writing and communication skills, computer literacy and ability to analyse and effectively evaluate work-place critically

related problems.       

 

What academic rules are relevant to this programme?

• Rules of combination: The Post Graduate Diploma consists of 6 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8. The modules are worth 20 credits each. The student must complete all the mandatory modules to meet the 120-credit requirement for the qualification.
• Registration: Note that all the rules pertaining to registration for a qualification are explained in the General Academic Rules of the NWU, specifically Rule 2.3.

 

What are the requirements to pass this programme?

The pass requirements of the programme and requisite modules thereof are stipulated in section L.7 of the Academic Calendar, including the ratio in which the assessment methods relevant to a particular module are combined to determine whether it was completed.

Number of assessment opportunities If a student undergoes a summative assessment. Suppose one or more modules of the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management fail. In that case, the dean (in consultation with the school director) may grant the student a second summative assessment opportunity in the relevant module(s).

A student may, within the maximum admissible study period, repeat a maximum of 33% of the modules of the Programme concerned. If a student has utilised all standard assessment opportunities and passed all but one of the modules required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, the student may apply for a final assessment opportunity for the outstanding module; payment of a prescribed amount (but not registration) may be required for such an assessment.

• Extension of study period: The provisions of Academic Rule 2.4.6 apply to the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
• Unsatisfactory academic performance: The provisions of Academic Rules 2.4.7 and 2.4.8 apply to the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
• Qualification with distinction: The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management is conferred when a student completes the qualification within the minimum period and achieves a weighted average of 75% in all modules.

 

 

Will there be a graduation ceremony?

Upon successful completion of this degree program, you will be eligible to graduate from the North-West University (NWU). This significant milestone will be celebrated at an official NWU graduation ceremony, during which you will receive your hard-earned degree certificate.

This formal acknowledgement of your academic achievements marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life.

The following competencies aligned to the Senior Management ServiceCompetency Framework are embedded in the module outcomes of the PGDip in Public Management;

• Demonstrate an integrated and critical understanding of the different theories, concepts, and principles of leadership, governance versus government and the relationship between governance, public management and ethics in the public sector.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of concepts, theories, paradigms, professional practice and ethical standards in public management and select and apply those relevant and appropriate to the needs of the work situation
• Draw on own knowledge, theories, paradigms, techniques, and technologies in the field of public management to identify, analyse, and address complex and real-life problems in a workplace and to improve the delivery of public services to citizens.
• Work effectively as part of a team to identify, analyse and solve complex service-delivery problems and to take responsibility for outcomes.

Students awarded this qualification should have the following:

• The capacity to be an active lead agent in implementing the public service agenda;
• The ability to promote anti-corruption measures in the public sector; The ability to develop and implement appropriate strategies to salvage a failing situation;
• Sound appreciation of the high standards of service that the general has for service delivery by the state;
• The capacity to be influential leaders in their workplace and service environment; and
• The disposition to behave ethically at all times in the best interests of the population at large.
• The qualification will assist students to develop a thorough knowledge of:

• Solving public management problems through innovation and creativity for the public good;
• Strategic thinking and implementation capability
• Financial management and budgeting according to public serviceprescripts;Team work, team leadership and partnership development andmaintenance;
• Personal responsibility and self-motivation as a characteristic of a senior manager;
• Identifying and addressing ethical issues and behaviour in the public service.