Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation

The Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation will develop students’ applied and cognitive competencies in the acquisition, interpretation, understanding and applications of nature conservation management principles. Students will be able to analyse and explain management decisions in the context of protected area management.
 

Students achieving this qualification will be competent in applying managerial skills, identifying, selecting and applying a range of research methodologies and techniques to research problems in nature conservation and other areas. Students will be able to identify and implement management interventions based on research findings.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation will open doors to worldwide career opportunities for students to be research scientists, protected area managers, senior biotechnicians, ecologists, game reserve operations managers, research managers, science liaison officers, junior scientists, project officers, research supervisors, lodge managers, or lecturers and thereby reduce the country’s unemployment rate.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation will consist of four modules, each worth 30 credits. These modules are Conservation Ecology, Sustainable Development, Natural Resource Management and Research Project.

Teaching will be by contact and will include lectures, tutorials, practicals, field trips, group work and online learning. Throughout the year, there will be an emphasis on independent research, and the Programme includes at least 30 credits for research.
To cater for both working professionals and full time students, the Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation will be offered on a full-time or part-time basis using the block release model of programme deliver. 
 
Admission Requirements
The minimum requirements for admission are:

Students will be considered on a monthly basis and students who meet or exceed the minimum entrance requirements will be offered places.
 
Duration
The Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation is at exit level 8 on the HEQSF, with a requirement of 120 credits as a minimum. The Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation is offered over 1 year, full time, and 2 years, part time.
 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT)
The University accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the University accepts the challenge to assess prior learning that is aligned to programmes and award credit (through CAT) to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the University of Mpumalanga’s RPL and CAT policy, is to recognize prior learning in order to provide for admission to programmes, grant advanced placement in programmes and grant credits for modules using the principles and processes that serve as basis for RPL practices. 
 
Articulation
Graduates from the Postgraduate Diploma in Nature Conservation will be able to continue into MSc programmes in any of the subjects in which they will have majored.