The rising emphasis on accountability, performance metrics, and evidence-based governance across public, private, and non-profit sectors has generated an urgent demand for qualified monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialists. The Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, developed by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) is designed to meet this demand. Registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8, this 120-credit programme provides a structured pathway for professionals to formalise their experience and acquire advanced theoretical and practical capabilities. To secure admission, candidates must navigate distinct academic, professional, and technical eligibility criteria.
Standard entry into this postgraduate programme is reserved for individuals who already possess a strong educational foundation. The primary academic prerequisite is an appropriate qualification at NQF Level 7, which establishes the baseline analytical skills needed to manage postgraduate-level coursework. Because the curriculum integrates complex modules such as advanced project management, evaluation theory, and quantitative data analysis, academic qualifications must be coupled with professional context. This ensures that students can immediately synthesise theoretical models with real-world organisational challenges.
The core entry and professional requirements include:
Minimum Academic Qualification: A relevant Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7.
Professional Experience: Relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation within the development, health, education, or government sectors is highly valued and considered during the admission process.
Target Student Profile: The programme is specifically designed for active practitioners, managers, and team leaders who are already responsible for M&E systems, rather than individuals seeking a complete career change.
For experienced practitioners who lack formal NQF Level 7 degrees, FPD offers alternative access through its approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Gaining entry through these non-traditional avenues requires rigorous documentation to demonstrate equivalent cognitive and practical competencies.
Depending on your academic background, you will need to submit specific documentation when applying:
Standard Applications: A completed application form, a certified copy of a South African Identity Document (or official passport for foreign students), and a certified copy of your highest qualification certificate.
Foreign Qualifications: Standard admission documents must be accompanied by official verification certificates from SAQA to ensure foreign qualifications are recognised.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Designed for candidates seeking alternative access or credit, requiring testimonials or reference letters from employers, a detailed CV showing relevant work history, and a Portfolio of Evidence of skills and experience.
These documentation protocols are strictly enforced to preserve the academic integrity of the NQF Level 8 designation. They ensure that all admitted students, regardless of their entry pathway, possess the capacity to execute advanced academic tasks, such as conducting an applied evaluation design in the integrated research module.
Qualifying for the PGDip M&E extends beyond academic and professional credentials; candidates must also meet the technical parameters required for digital learning. Delivered fully online and asynchronously via a user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS), the programme requires about 12 to 15 hours of study per week.
To study effectively online, students are expected to meet the following parameters:
Primary Hardware: A laptop or desktop PC equipped with functional video and audio recording capabilities.
Connectivity: A stable, high-speed internet connection capable of supporting web browsing, document uploads, and video/audio playback.
Core Software Requirements: Standard word processing applications, PDF readers, and spreadsheet software (specifically Microsoft Excel).
Mandatory Digital Literacy: Core competencies including file management (creating, editing, saving, uploading, and downloading documents), emailing, and web-browsing skills.
These technical standards are critical for success in quantitative modules, where students must use Excel for systematic data organisation, tabulation and visualisation.
To qualify for standard admission, you must hold either a relevant Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or an Advanced Diploma at NQF Level 7. Additionally, relevant professional experience in monitoring and evaluation is highly valued and taken into consideration during the application review process.
If you are applying via RPL to formalise your existing experience, you must submit a completed application form, a certified copy of your ID or passport, and a comprehensive CV detailing your work history in a relevant field. Additionally, you need to provide professional reference letters or testimonials from previous or current employers and a Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating your practical skills and experience.
Yes, a non-refundable application fee is required to submit your online application. Once accepted into the programme, FPD offers a flexible payment model where you pay per module as you progress. This allows working professionals to register and pay for individual modules at their own pace over the course duration rather than paying for the entire qualification upfront.
The curriculum includes quantitative data analysis modules that require systematic database organisation, tabulating, summarising, and data visualisation. To succeed in these components, you must have basic digital literacy along with the ability to perform data tasks in Microsoft Excel.
No, the programme is delivered fully online via an asynchronous model through a user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS). This means there is no requirement to attend live, scheduled lectures. However, you must have the self-discipline to log in regularly, engage with digital study resources, and complete weekly milestones and assignments within the structured eight-week cycles.