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All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
Postgraduate Diploma: Futures Studies |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
90735 | Postgraduate Diploma: Futures Studies | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Stellenbosch University | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Postgraduate Diploma | Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies | Generic Management | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 120 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Reregistered | SAQA 1141/23 | 2021-07-01 | 2024-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2025-06-30 | 2028-06-30 |
In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is to equip learners with high-level competencies to react meaningfully to growing complexity in the organisational environment, while taking into account the unique developmental challenges facing Africa and South Africa. The qualification contributes to learners' ability to make significant strategic long-term decisions in an increasingly internationally competitive and volatile environment. The qualification will contribute toward providing learners with a thorough understanding of the basic principles, history and philosophy of Futures Studies, by instilling in learners the ability to apply systems thinking to futures-related issues; by enabling learners to identify and analyse the influence of external environmental factors and trends on the future of an entity, and by equipping learners with the ability to use various techniques for measuring future trends. Rationale: The qualification is intended to expand the postgraduate learner intake in a field where there is a paucity of expertise. The qualification will contribute to the learners' ability to make significant strategic long-term decisions in an increasingly internationally competitive environment. The qualification will be presented telematically over a one-year period, using the delivery platform provided by the Centre for Interactive Telematic Education (CITE), complemented by web-based support. The module methodology is embodied in a series of interactive telematic lectures and workshops, blended with module material composed of comprehensive module outlines, textbooks and journal articles. Interactive Telematic Education (ITE) is the preferred optimal vehicle for achieving the qualification outcomes since it enables participation by learners who would be at an advanced and senior stage of their careers and are therefore not in a position to attend on-campus lectures. The experience of the last 12 years in respect of the M.Phil (Futures Studies) has shown that the latter (on-campus lectures) effectively disqualifies many prospective learners from participating in the qualification. The qualification will be presented telematically and will therefore be more accessible for working professionals. The part-time and telematic nature of the qualification will allow for a large number of learners to access the qualification, serving South Africa and also beyond its borders. This in turn will serve to aid in achieving the objectives of the NQF of enhancing the quality of the education and training in South Africa. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
It is assumed that the learners have:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): The learners who do not meet the minimum requirements can gain access to the qualification through the recognition of prior learning and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established by an assessor. Access to the qualification. The minimum admission requirement is an undergraduate Degree or an equivalent qualification. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
The qualification consists of the following 6 compulsory modules (20 credits each) at NQF Level 9, totalling 120 credits:
|
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Identify, analyse and understand the theories pertaining to Futures Studies.
2. Think critically, logically, and analytically about the systems in Futures Studies. 3. Apply strategic management ideology to Future Studies. 4. Select and use a range of research methodologies and techniques to address research in Futures Studies. 5. Critique current research and make sound theoretical judgements based on evidence from advanced scholarship in Futures Studies. 6. Express an understanding of the leading trends pertaining to Future Studies. Critical Cross-Field Outcomes: Upon completion of this qualification the learners will have acquired specialist knowledge in Futures thinking, and be able to apply that knowledge in a critical and problem-solving manner to the problems of the twenty first century. Learners will also be equipped to practice as strategic planners within various organisations. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria of Exit level Outcome 6: Integrated Assessment: Each module will be assessed through an extensive individual assignment (formative assessment) and a comprehensive final examination (summative assessment). The former may include the analysis of case studies and/or the application of theory and the use of futures studies tools and techniques to organisational, societal or national issues. The latter will emphasise the application of knowledge in the form of critical essays. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
This qualification is comparable with the following international qualifications in terms of the module competencies the learner is to master.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia) offers a Graduate Certificate in Futures Studies; the qualification is offered part-time over two years. Learners are required to successfully complete four compulsory modules: Futures Methods and Techniques, Strategic Foresight Leadership, Sustainable Futures and Applied Futures Studies: Methods and Values and Strategy. The University of Western Australia (Australia) offers a Graduate Certificate in Integrated Human Studies which delivers a transdisciplinary perspective and methodologies. It draws on science, the arts and humanities, and implementing disciplines like economics and law to consider local and global issues. Conclusion: International institutions which offer qualifications in Futures Studies offer these qualifications at Masters and PhD level (Freie Universität, Moscow State University, Turku University and University of Houston). Futures Studies is a relatively new field globally and locally, therefore this qualification at NQF Level 8 offers learners from different disciplines the opportunity to gain knowledge in Futures Studies before embarking on more advanced research in the field. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification offers both horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities for the qualifying learner:
Horizontal articulation with qualifications at NQF Level 8, includes the: Vertical articulation with qualifications at NQF Level 9, includes the: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
Internal and external moderation will be conducted according to the institutions' moderation policies. Both internal and external moderation of examinations will be formalised. |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
The assessors that will be assessing this qualification will have a qualification at least one NQF Level higher than the qualification being presented and must be specialists in their relevant field with a minimum of five years lecturing/teaching experience. |
NOTES |
N/A |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
NONE |
PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
1. | Stellenbosch University |
All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or registered on the National Qualifications Framework, are public property. Thus, the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction: it is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |