Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences
Department/School:
School of Public Management and Administration
Plan description: PGDip (Public Management)
Plan code: 07220041
SAQA ID: 115924
Minimum duration of study: 2 years
This qualification has been designed to provide and enhance the service-oriented professional development of aspiring and/or existing senior management service public officials in the field of public management, by acting as agents of change and by playing a meaningful role in policy and strategy formulation and implementation. The qualification aims to regularise the professional development of public officials through a uniform and standardised management and leadership programme aligned to the management competencies, so that they may improve their performance and productivity in the public sector, and contribute to meaningful change. South Africa’s National School of Government, the official training arm of government responsible for the education and training of public officials, gives recognition to this qualification as a public sector-specific qualification.
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 service prescripts;
- Teamwork, team leadership, and partnership development and maintenance;
- Personal responsibility and self-motivation as a characteristic of a senior manager; and
- Identifying and addressing ethical issues and behaviour in the public sector.
Prof Michel Tshiyoyo
Admission Requirements and Closing Dates
- You can apply any time of the year to enrol for a UPOnline programme.
- UPOnline programmes have 6 start dates throughout the year.
- Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date. Any applications received after this deadline will be considered for the subsequent start date.
- You should complete only one online application per programme. Once you are admitted into the online programme, you will need to register for your first module. After completion of the first module, you will register for the second one, and so forth until you have successfully completed all the required modules.
- The relevant departments will process the applications on an ongoing basis.
- Qualifications obtained outside South Africa will need to be ratified by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
- Students must be able to dedicate about 15 hours a week to their studies as there are weekly engagements and commitments in each module.
Minimum admission requirements:
Admission into the PGDip Public Management is subject to the University of Pretoria’s General Rules, and the specific requirements for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and the School of Public Management and Administration. In addition, the following minimum requirements will apply:
- 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 - A minimum of 3 years’ appropriate work experience in the public sector.
Technical Requirements
To complete your studies successfully, you will need to:
- Be computer literate
- Own a laptop or desktop computer
- Have access to a stable internet connection
UPOnline Annual Increase
- Module pricing is subject to change at the beginning of every year without prior notice.
- UPOnline tuition fees will increase annually by approximately 5%.
- The annual increase will apply from the March intake, which is the second intake of the year.
- If the programme fee is paid in full upfront the student is still liable for the difference between the upfront payment and increased amount until the completion of the programme.
- All-inclusive total programme cost.
Modules & Credits
| Module Code | Module Name | Credits | Weeks* |
| PMA 707 | Governance, Public Management and African Leadership | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 708 | Public Sector Transformation and Reform | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 709 | Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 710 | Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 711 | Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting | 20 | 16 |
| PMA 712 | Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation | 20 | 16 |
| Total offering credits and weeks | 120 | 96 | |
* A 16-week module typically consists of 14 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of recess.
Module Information
The full curriculum is displayed below.
| Governance, Public Management and African Leadership 707 | |
| Module code | PMA 707 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Public Sector Transformation and Reform 708 | |
| Module code | PMA 708 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Programme and Project Management in the Public Sector 709 | |
| Module code | PMA 709 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Advanced Human Resource Management in the Public Sector 710 | |
| Module code | PMA 710 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Advanced Public Financial Management and Budgeting 711 | |
| Module code | PMA 711 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programmes | PGDip Public Management |
| Public Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 712 | |
| Module code | PMA 712 |
| Qualification | Postgraduate |
| Faculty | Economics and Management Sciences |
| Module content |
|
| Module credits | 20 |
| Programme | PGDip Public Management |
