Yearbooks

Programme: PGDip (Public Management) (UPOnline)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
07220041 Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences Department: School of Public Management and Administration
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 2 years Total credits: 120 NQF level:  08

Programme information

The Postgraduate Diploma consists of compulsory modules at NQF level 8.  The modules are worth 20 credits each. The student must complete all the compulsory modules to meet the 120 credits requirement for the qualification.  

Information on UPOnline: 

  • The programmes presented by UPOnline are part-time and fully online.
  • Online programmes allow access to programme material on any device provided that a stable internet connection is available.
  • The UPOnline modules have dedicated facilitators and contactable staff ready to help, motivate and assist students with any queries they may have.
  • UPOnline programmes have been designed to provide a highly interactive learning environment which may include live chats, discussion forums and online video communication.
  • These programmes are structured with six enrolment opportunities per year where a student will enrol for a single module of either 8,16 or 52 weeks at a time.
  • Payment can be made per module.

Admission requirements

  1. Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (NQF Level 7) or Advanced Diploma in Public Management (NQF Level 7) or Relevant Advanced Diploma (NQF Level 7) or Relevant Bachelor’s degree (NQF Level 7) and

2. A minimum of 3 years of appropriate work experience in the public sector

Application and closing dates:

  1. Students can apply any time of the year to enrol for a UPOnline programme
  2. UP Online programmes have multiple start dates throughout the year
  3. Applications must be submitted two weeks before a start date. Any applications received after this deadline will be considered for the subsequent start date
  4. A prospective student should complete only one online application per programme
  5. The relevant departments will process the applications as they are received

Additional requirements

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.

Computer literacy

The University of Pretoria makes use of Blackboard, branded as clickUP, which is an online system that provides a workspace for students, providing students with the information and the connections needed. ClickUP contains study material as well as a simple, convenient, and reliable web conferencing and virtual classroom solutions specifically built for education and training. ClickUP is accessible via a web browser mobile device, or tablet and has a useful student guide. 

Students are required to have some technical and digital literacy skills such as the ability to:

  • navigate the University's  eLearning environment (ClickUP);
  • use the email service in the LMS;
  • manage digital files: create, store, upload and attach files to assignment submissions (using applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint);
  • use the Library website or databases for research and make use of proper referencing techniques;
  • use a webcam, upload videos or audio files, use social media for communication or to collaborate electronically; and
  • download and install software and applications.

Other programme-specific information

Exam entry in all subjects requires a minimum 40%. In order to continue on the programme, all students
must receive exam entry in every module. Students cannot be registered on the programme more than
two years.

Pass with distinction

Obtain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 75% and the Diploma must be completed within the minimum period of time.

Minimum credits: 120

  • This programme is structured with six enrolment opportunities per year where a student will enrol for a single module of 16 weeks at a time. 
  • A 16 week module typically consists of 14 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of recess.
  • The full curriculum is displayed below. 

Core modules

  • Module content:

    • The concepts of leadership, governance, government and public management are understood and applied in a particular work environment. 
    • The legislative framework for governance is evaluated and applied in a work environment.
    • A critical understanding of the relationship between governance, public management and ethics is demonstrated.
    • The implications of the legislative framework towards governance on public management are evaluated.
    • A critical understanding of the ethical and democratic dimensions of administrative activities in state organizations is demonstrated.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Concepts of public sector transformation and  reform.
    • Areas of public sector reform.
    • Donor-sponsored structural adjustment programmes and administrative reforms.
    • Administrative reform strategies in selected African and/or Commonwealth countries.
    • Public sector transformation, the state and civil society in South Africa.
    • Influences of Global, African and regional positions on the local (SA) transformation context.
    • The South African Constitution and the legislative framework for governance, and its transformational outlook.
    • Issues in public sector transformation and reform in South Africa including gender perspectives.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Theories and issues shaping contemporary public programme and project management.
    • Programme and project-based public management.
    • Appropriate department arrangements to support programmes and projects.
    • Procedures to manage risks in programmes.
    • Ways to get buy-in to public service projects by top-level political authority and other relevant stakeholders.
    • International trends in programme management.
    • Translation of policy programmes into projects.
    • The value of project management in government.
    • Sponsoring of multiple projects to support project goals.
    • Planning, monitoring and evaluation of specific projects.
    • Project risk management.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Design of an integrated human resources management plan. 
    • Complexities associated with diverse workforce.
    • Management of intellectual human capital.
    • Analysis of a high turn-over of staff and staff retention strategies.
    • Coaching and mentoring.
    • Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework for SMS in the public service.
    • Improvement of health and wellness of employees.
    • Performance management.
    • Labour relations.
    • Role of, and relationship between, the employer (the state), the employee and unions in shaping healthy labour relations.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Principles of public finance management
    • Regulatory framework in the management of an area of responsibility
    • Process of the financial cycle in the South Africa public sector.
    • Link between planning and budgeting in the South African public sector
    • Costing of goods and services
    • Principles of performance management and budget expenditure
    • Internal control and monitoring budget implementation
    • Risk management
    • Supply chain and asset management in the public sector
    • Financial reporting requirements of the public finance management regulatory framework
    • Basic analysis of financial information, annual financial statements and audit report

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Background to planning and value in performance management and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
    • M&E concepts. 
    • Key elements in the M&E systems.
    • Result based M&E versus traditional M&E.
    • Stakeholder engagement.
    • Logical frameworks.
    • M&E indicators.
    • Impact assessment.
    • Presentation and use of evaluation findings.

    View more

Minimum credits: 120

  • This programme is structured with six enrolment opportunities per year where a student will enrol for a single module of 16 weeks at a time. 
  • A 16 week module typically consists of 14 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of recess.
  • The full curriculum is displayed below. 

Core modules

  • Module content:

    • The concepts of leadership, governance, government and public management are understood and applied in a particular work environment. 
    • The legislative framework for governance is evaluated and applied in a work environment.
    • A critical understanding of the relationship between governance, public management and ethics is demonstrated.
    • The implications of the legislative framework towards governance on public management are evaluated.
    • A critical understanding of the ethical and democratic dimensions of administrative activities in state organizations is demonstrated.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Concepts of public sector transformation and  reform.
    • Areas of public sector reform.
    • Donor-sponsored structural adjustment programmes and administrative reforms.
    • Administrative reform strategies in selected African and/or Commonwealth countries.
    • Public sector transformation, the state and civil society in South Africa.
    • Influences of Global, African and regional positions on the local (SA) transformation context.
    • The South African Constitution and the legislative framework for governance, and its transformational outlook.
    • Issues in public sector transformation and reform in South Africa including gender perspectives.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Theories and issues shaping contemporary public programme and project management.
    • Programme and project-based public management.
    • Appropriate department arrangements to support programmes and projects.
    • Procedures to manage risks in programmes.
    • Ways to get buy-in to public service projects by top-level political authority and other relevant stakeholders.
    • International trends in programme management.
    • Translation of policy programmes into projects.
    • The value of project management in government.
    • Sponsoring of multiple projects to support project goals.
    • Planning, monitoring and evaluation of specific projects.
    • Project risk management.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Design of an integrated human resources management plan. 
    • Complexities associated with diverse workforce.
    • Management of intellectual human capital.
    • Analysis of a high turn-over of staff and staff retention strategies.
    • Coaching and mentoring.
    • Leadership Development Management Strategic Framework for SMS in the public service.
    • Improvement of health and wellness of employees.
    • Performance management.
    • Labour relations.
    • Role of, and relationship between, the employer (the state), the employee and unions in shaping healthy labour relations.

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Principles of public finance management
    • Regulatory framework in the management of an area of responsibility
    • Process of the financial cycle in the South Africa public sector.
    • Link between planning and budgeting in the South African public sector
    • Costing of goods and services
    • Principles of performance management and budget expenditure
    • Internal control and monitoring budget implementation
    • Risk management
    • Supply chain and asset management in the public sector
    • Financial reporting requirements of the public finance management regulatory framework
    • Basic analysis of financial information, annual financial statements and audit report

    View more

  • Module content:

    • Background to planning and value in performance management and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
    • M&E concepts. 
    • Key elements in the M&E systems.
    • Result based M&E versus traditional M&E.
    • Stakeholder engagement.
    • Logical frameworks.
    • M&E indicators.
    • Impact assessment.
    • Presentation and use of evaluation findings.

    View more


General Academic Regulations and Student Rules
The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations. The G Regulations are updated annually and may be amended after the publication of this information.

Regulations, degree requirements and information
The faculty regulations, information on and requirements for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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