Faculty of Management Sciences Department of Government Management Diploma in Public Management
Diploma in Public Management

Career Opportunities & Professional Pathways

This qualification prepares graduates for diverse public sector positions across the political and administrative milieu, including national, regional, and local government. Owing to the wide variety of duties and activities in the public sector, public functionaries are employed at institutions throughout the country. Career pathways include:

  • Public Administration & General Management: Public Administrators, Office Managers, and Customer Service Coordinators, utilising foundational knowledge from Public Administration and Management, Public Office Management and Customer Service, and Self-management to ensure efficient and ethical public service delivery.
  • Financial & Procurement Management: Public Financial Officers, Procurement Specialists, and Supply Chain Coordinators, applying practical expertise in Public Financial Management, Financial and Procurement Management, and Procurement and Supply Chain Management to oversee public funds and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Human Resources & Intersectoral Collaboration: Public Sector HR Practitioners and Intersectoral Coordinators, leveraging specialised skills in Public Human Resources Management and Intersectoral Collaboration to manage public sector personnel and facilitate cooperation between different government departments.
  • Policy, Programme & Project Management: Policy Analysts, Programme Managers, and Public Project Managers, integrating advanced competencies from Policy Studies, Programme Management, Public Project Management, and Local Government Service Delivery Management to design, implement, and evaluate impactful government initiatives.
Diploma : Diploma in Public Management

DP_PMM

Campus

Duration of Programme

SAQA Credits

NQF Level

Bloemfontein Campus, Welkom Campus

3 years (full-time)

362

6

Minimum Credits Required: 362

Programme-Specific Requirements

Minimum Qualification

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification.

Required Subjects & Pass Levels

  • English: Minimum 50% at Grade 12 level.
  • CUT Scoring Scale (APS): A minimum score is required. Candidates with a score lower than 27 points may be subject to a formal selection process.

Understanding Your Matric Pass Level

To help you understand your eligibility, here is a quick guide to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) pass levels. This programme requires a Diploma Pass.

Diploma Pass (Required)

Pass 6 of 7 subjects. Four subjects must be at least 40% (Level 3), including Home Language (40%). Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) must be at least 30%. You may fail one subject. This allows enrolment for a diploma course at a university of technology.

Bachelor’s Pass

Pass 6 of 7 subjects. Four subjects must be at least 50% (Level 4), including Home Language (40%). LOLT must be at least 30%. You may fail one subject. This allows application for a degree course.

Certificate Pass

Pass 6 of 7 subjects. Two subjects above 40%, four subjects above 30%, including Home Language (40%). You may fail one subject. This allows study for a higher certificate.

Selection Process & Programme Regulations

Selection Process & Progression

  • Selection Process: Candidates with a CUT score lower than 27 may be subject to a formal selection process based on a minimum threshold of points on the CUT scoring scale.
  • NCV Applicants: Applicants in possession of a National Certificate Vocational (NCV) will be evaluated according to the specific selection requirements approved by Senate.
  • HC Community Development Work Pathway: A limited number of former Higher Certificate: Community Development Work students who successfully passed all modules in that programme may be admitted into the Diploma in Public Management programme per annum.
  • Study Mode: Offered on a full-time or part-time basis over a period of three years.
  • Academic Literacy Progression: The Academic Literacy and Communication Studies programme consists of two sequential offerings (A and B). Achieving a distinction (75% or more) in Offering A grants exemption from Offering B. A pass in Offering A requires the successful completion of Offering B. If Offering A is not passed, the student must re-register for it in a subsequent semester.
  • Module Repetition & Registration Limits: If a student fails a specific module, it must be repeated in the next year during the semester it is presented. The student may continue with the following year’s modules, provided they first repeat the previously failed modules. Students may not register for more than five modules per semester (except for students who applied for subject recognition).
  • Graduation Requirements: Successful completion of this qualification requires the successful completion of both the Academic Literacy and Communication Studies programme and Personal Information Management (PIM5011 or PIM5012).

Note for candidates who matriculated in 2007 or before: Please refer to the official CUT Student Calendar for the specific Senior Certificate (SC) scoring scale and admission requirements applicable to your qualification.

Need the Full Programme Details? Consult the Student Calendar

We know that choosing your future is a big step! While this page gives you the key highlights, the official CUT Student Calendar is your complete, authoritative guide. We highly recommend reviewing it to see full details on this programme, including admission criteria, complete module structures, assessment rules, and what to expect during your studies.

 View the Student Calendar →
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