The Diploma in Public Administration is a three-year qualification aimed at addressing the growing need for skilled and ethical management in the public sector. This qualification is designed for individuals who have foundational management knowledge and work experience and who wish to strengthen their administrative and leadership skills to contribute meaningfully to public service delivery.
This NQF Level 6 diploma responds to the urgent demand for competent public administrators who can improve service delivery, raise productivity levels, and address performance gaps in government institutions. In a sector often challenged by corruption, inefficiency, and resource mismanagement, this programme seeks to shape professionals who are ethical, accountable, and committed to public value and economic development.
Students in this programme will be equipped with a comprehensive range of both hard and soft skills essential for effective public administration. The curriculum focuses on key areas such as general management, local government management, public law, and public sector governance, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for various administrative roles within the public sector.
The Diploma in Public Administration provides learners with current and relevant knowledge, enhancing their ability to manage and lead in diverse and complex public sector environments. The programme is especially beneficial for those who are either already working in the public service and wish to grow professionally or for those intending to start a career in public administration with a clear understanding of the importance of strong, principled management in the public domain.
The programme duration is:Minimum – 3 years of study (full time)Maximum – 6 years of study (part time)
Students can potentially pursue a career in:
- Manager within the local, provincial and national government
- Public administration officer
- Supervisors and administration clerks in the various branches of the public sector and quasi-government
- Organisations
- Public Administration Consultancy
- Public Affairs Executive
- Public Policy Researcher
Upon successful completion of your programme, you will receive a certificate depicting: – Diploma in Public Administration and an academic transcript. These documents will be issued at the graduation ceremony, provided that your account is in order.
NB: Certificates cannot be issued to the students before a graduation ceremony.
The minimum requirements for Diploma in Public Administration are:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Diploma endorsement, or
- A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with Diploma endorsement, or
- Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), with Diploma endorsement, or
- A Senior Certificate (SC), with University Exemption or Diploma endorsement, or
- Foreign School leaving Certificate that complies with minimum admission requirements for Diploma study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board (SAQA will do equivalency evaluation)
Alternative admission requirements:
- A Higher Certificate or Diploma in a cognate discipline
- Senate discretionary admission
- Mature Age (45 years of age): conditions apply*
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Candidates over the age of 23 at registration or during their first year of attendance who have attained a Senior Certificate with at least 40% in at least four Higher Grade or Standard Grade subjects, at least three of which were passed simultaneously, one of which is a Higher-Grade subject, and one is English. Conditions apply*.
- An international qualification of appropriate equivalence as determined by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). For all international qualifications, a SAQA Evaluation Certificate and syllabus are required.
Additional Requirements:
- Foreign applicants whose first language is not English, may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English prior to admission to the programme.
*Age exemption certificates must be attained from the Matriculation Board before admission can be granted.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016.
The final approval for applications in respect of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.
Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.
