Are you eligible to become a PPS member?
PPS membership is available to graduate professionals who meet specific qualification, professional designation and residency requirements.
Explore the eligibility criteria below to understand whether you may qualify.
How PPS membership eligibility works
PPS membership is designed for graduate professionals.
Eligibility is based on a combination of your qualification, institution, professional standing and residency.
Eligibility is assessed across four areas
Your application is considered against the following requirements.
A recognised postgraduate, professional or approved undergraduate qualification.
A recognised South African institution or an approved international equivalent.
Certain professional designations or registrations may also qualify.
PPS residency and area-of-operation requirements must be met.
Qualification Requirements
Most PPS members qualify through recognised postgraduate qualifications, approved professional undergraduate degrees or certain professional designations.
Postgraduate qualifications
The following postgraduate qualifications may qualify for PPS membership:
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Honours Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Doctoral Degree
- Selected MBA qualifications
Universities of Technology
Certain technology qualifications may also qualify, including:
- BTech
- MTech
- DTech
Where recognised under the PPS Eligibility Framework.
Professional undergraduate qualifications
Some undergraduate qualifications of four years or longer may qualify.
Examples include:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Other approved professional degrees
Professional designations
Certain professional designations may also qualify.
For example:
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) registered with the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa.
Important
Meeting one of these qualification categories does not automatically guarantee PPS membership. Every qualification is assessed according to the current PPS Eligibility Framework.
Recognised Institutions
Where you studied is just as important as the qualification you obtained.
PPS recognises qualifications obtained from:
- South African public universities
- Public universities of technology
- Selected accredited private higher education institutions
Institutions must be accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
Foreign qualifications
Foreign qualifications are assessed individually and may require a SAQA evaluation.
PPS may consider:
- Institution accreditation
- Qualification level
- Recognition within the country of study
- South African equivalency
Where required, applicants may be asked to obtain a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) evaluation.
If the qualification is ultimately found to be eligible for PPS membership, PPS Holdings Trust will cover the SAQA evaluation cost.
Special Circumstances
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be considered where it has been used as an entry route into an eligible postgraduate qualification.
For RPL to be accepted:
- The institution must qualify under the PPS Eligibility Framework.
- The postgraduate qualification itself must qualify.
- Evidence of the RPL pathway must be provided.
Applications using RPL are assessed individually.
Supporting documentation
Depending on your circumstances, PPS may request supporting documentation during the application process.
This may include:
- Qualification certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Professional registration
- SAQA evaluations
- Proof of residency
- Citizenship documentation
- Marriage certificate (where applicable)
Residency Requirements
To become a member of the PPS Holdings Trust, applicants must satisfy the applicable residency requirements at the time of application.
South African citizens
South African citizens residing in South Africa may qualify for PPS membership.
Citizens of qualifying SADC countries
Citizens of qualifying SADC countries who legally reside in South Africa may also qualify. Proof of temporary residence in South Africa may be required.
This generally includes citizens of:
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Namibia
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Other recognised SADC countries
Married to a South African citizen
Applicants lawfully married to a South African citizen may also qualify, provided they are domiciled in South Africa through that marriage.
Recognised marriages include:
- Civil Marriage
- Customary Marriage
- Civil Union
Supporting documentation will be required.
Permanent residents
Applicants who are not South African citizens or spouses of South African citizens may qualify through permanent residency.
Proof of permanent residence may be requested during the application process.
See whether PPS is right for you
PPS membership is designed for qualified professionals. Check whether your profession qualifies in under a minute.