Developing specialised skills in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has become a primary driver of career progression within the public health, education, non-governmental organisation (NGO), and public sectors. The Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, offered 100% online by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), provides a structured, NQF Level 8 qualification designed to equip working professionals with advanced methodologies without disrupting their full-time employment. Graduates of this programme can move into high-impact roles such as Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Programme Managers, Research and Impact Analysts, and Policy Advisors.

To facilitate entry, FPD utilises a completely digitised application system. This guide details the baseline criteria, documentation protocols, step-by-step application workflow, technical baselines, and post-submission administrative sequences required for successful enrolment.

Admission Criteria and Entry Pathways

The Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation requires a robust academic or professional foundation due to the quantitative and qualitative data analysis methodologies embedded in the curriculum. To accommodate diverse career trajectories, the institution offers two distinct entry pathways:

• Standard Entry Pathway

• Minimum Academic and Professional Prerequisites: A relevant Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or an Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7.

• Secondary Requirements: Academic qualifications must map to recognised fields such as administration, project management, or social sciences.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Pathway

• Minimum Academic and Professional Prerequisites: A relevant prior qualification combined with demonstrable work experience in the M&E field. It is specifically designed for experienced practitioners who lack a formal NQF Level 7 qualification.

• Secondary Requirements: Evaluation is conducted via a comprehensive portfolio of evidence to prove equivalent competency.

The standard entry pathway recognises specific baseline qualifications, including the Advanced Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, the Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management, the Advanced Diploma in Business Studies, and the Bachelor of Administration.

Under the RPL pathway, candidates can apply for RPL for Access (to gain entry without standard qualifications), RPL for Exemption (to skip specific modules), or RPL for Credit (to convert prior informal training into credit hours).

Required Application Documentation

The online application portal requires the submission of certified, clear digital copies of supporting documents. The exact requirements vary based on the applicant’s chosen entry pathway:

• Proof of Identity: Required for all applicants. This must be a certified copy of a South African Identity Document, or an official passport in the case of international students.

• Highest Academic Qualifications:  Required for Standard and CAT applicants. This must be a certified copy of the highest qualification certificate and complete academic transcripts.

• Foreign Qualification Verification: Required for international applicants. This involves verification certificates issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

• RPL Portfolio of Evidence: Required for RPL applicants. This includes a detailed professional CV, employment history, employer testimonials, and previous research project portfolios.

 

Online Application Process

The application workflow is designed to prevent unnecessary financial expenditure by integrating qualification checks into the digital portal's early stages.

Step 1: Online Eligibility Vetting

The application begins on the FPD website Apply Now form with a series of automated vetting questions. These questions verify whether the applicant possesses the requisite NQF Level 7 qualifications or relevant field experience before allowing them to access the full application form. Unqualified candidates are redirected to avoid paying the non-refundable application fee.

Step 2: Form Completion and Document Upload

Once vetted as eligible, the candidate completes the online profile, detailing academic histories, professional roles, and contact information. At this stage, the required identification and academic credentials must be uploaded to the portal.

Step 3: Application Fee Payment and Submission

Finalising the application requires the payment of a non-refundable application fee of R200, which is standard for all FPD postgraduate diplomas. The application remains pending and will not be submitted to the Registrar's office until payment has been confirmed.

Recommended Technical and Computer Standards

Because the programme is delivered entirely online via asynchronous learning, applicants must ensure they possess the necessary hardware and digital skills to engage with the coursework effectively:

• Computer Hardware: A modern laptop or desktop PC equipped with functional video and audio recording capability.

• Connectivity: A stable, reliable internet connection capable of audio/video streaming and document uploads.

• Software Applications: Document creation software (such as MS Word), PDF readers, web browsing software, and local media playback tools.

• Essential Digital Skills: Proficiencies in file management (creating, editing, saving, and downloading files), email communication, and web research.

Academic Timelines and Cohort Intakes

The curriculum consists of 10 modules delivered over a two-year period. Each module is structured into an eight-week cycle, containing seven weeks of study followed by a one-week administrative break. FPD offers six intakes throughout the year, allowing working professionals the flexibility to choose a start date that aligns with their personal and financial schedules. Because these intakes occur regularly across the academic calendar, applicants have the flexibility to plan their submissions and coordinate their studies without being restricted to a single annual entry point.

Administrative Sequences Post-Submission

After the application is submitted, the FPD Registrar's office conducts a detailed academic review. If the application is approved, the registration process is completed through a series of sequential steps:

• Admission Notification: The applicant receives an official admission email with a personalised link to the FPD student dashboard.

• Dashboard Initialisation: The dashboard outlines the admission programme and highlights the specific introductory module that must be paid for to commence studies.

• Pay-As-You-Progress Module Registration: To enrol in the starting module, the student must pay its respective fee in full. Upfront annual payments are not mandatory.

• Learning Portal Activation: Upon processing the module payment, the platform generates a payment invoice. The student then receives a separate email containing system credentials to access the active learning platform and begin their module.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does preliminary eligibility vetting function during the online application process?

The online Apply Now form starts with a brief, automated vetting questionnaire. This questionnaire determines whether the applicant possesses either the required NQF Level 7 qualifications or equivalent professional field experience in monitoring and evaluation. If the applicant does not satisfy these entry thresholds, the system halts the application before the non-refundable application fee is charged.

2. Is there an application fee for this online programme?

Yes. To submit an application, the candidate must pay the non-refundable R200 postgraduate diploma application fee through this gateway. The system will not route the application to the Registrar's office for formal review until the payment has been confirmed. 

3. What happens immediately after the FPD admissions office accepts an application?

Upon review and acceptance of the application, the system sends an official admission email containing a link to the secure student dashboard. When the student accesses this dashboard, they will see their admitted programme and the specific starting module. The student must then click "pay" to be redirected to the payment gateway to purchase the module.

4. Can an applicant register and pay for the entire academic year upfront?

Yes, students may choose to pay for the academic year upfront, and those who do can apply for a pro-rata credit for fees if they withdraw. However, FPD primarily operates on a pay-as-you-progress model, allowing students to register and pay for only one module at a time. This modular billing aligns study costs directly with the student's cash flow.

5. What is the procedure for an international student applying with foreign qualifications?

International applicants must present certified copies of their foreign qualifications alongside official verification certificates from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). These verifications must be uploaded to the portal during the documentation stage to establish NQF Level 7 equivalence.