Diploma: Local Government Finance


Duration: 3 years

Delivery Site: Potsdam

SAQA ID: 97045


Entrepreneurship and Professional Development of Students

Management and Governance strive to instil entrepreneurial skills in our graduates to support their academic talents.

Ongoing entrepreneurial exposure is presented via successful local business people and other entrepreneurial experts.

The Department will use the Advisory Boards to assist in this regard.

Students and staff are encouraged to become members of the various professional and institutional bodies.


Career Opportunities

Qualifying learners could follow a career within the government sectors in: 

  • Financial Services
  • Administration
  • Management
  • Accounting
  • Project Management.

Prospective Employers

  • Government (national departments, provincial departments and local authorities)
  • Private and Parastatal Organisations
  • Research Organisations
  • Tertiary Education Institutions.

Purpose of the Qualification

Municipalities across the country are actively enhancing their financial management capacity to ensure they comply with legal requirements for their budgeting and spending.

This Diploma is aimed at assisting people working as municipal finance offers to improve their qualifications and career prospects.


Exit Level Outcomes of the Programme

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how Local Government operates.
  • Apply support and administrative services in the Local Government context.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of municipal financial management and budgeting. 

Minimum Admission Requirements

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

APS: 30

  • NSC achievement rating of at least 3 (40-49%) for English as a Home Language or First Additional Language level
  • NSC achievement rating of at least 3 (40-49%) for Mathematics or 4 for Mathematics Literacy
  • NSC achievement rating of at least 3 (40-49%) for Business Management, Economics and Accounting
  • Minimum statutory NSC requirements for diploma entry must be met.

Grade 12/Matric

Senior Certificate Requirement

An E-symbol for English (2nd language) on the Higher Grade. In addition, an E-symbol on the Higher grade for Mathematics and E symbol on commercial subjects.

FET Colleges

National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4:

Requirements as defined in Government Gazette 32743 dated 26 November 2009 with specific requirements as set out below:

  • Must meet NC(V) Level 4 statutory requirements
  • Must obtain 50% in the three fundamental subjects which in the case of this programme are required to be:
    • English as it is the university’s language of learning and teaching (LOTL)
    • Mathematics or Mathematics Literacy
    • Business Management
    • Accounting
    • Economics.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Refer to WSU General Prospectus.


International Students

Applications from international students are considered in terms of:

Universities South Africa (Usaf) 

• Institutional Equivalence Reference Document

• Where required, submission of international qualification to SAQA for benchmarking in terms of HEQF.


Mature Age Endorsement

Refer to requirements as per WSU’s General Rules & Regulations – Section 1.6.