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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96561  Master of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of this course is for the student to conduct either an intervention or a (qualitative or quantitative) research project and report the results in the form of an article of publishable standard.

Rationale:
There are currently few programmes at a Masters level offered in the region, and there are large numbers of nurses with a Degree who face specific challenges and needs in health care practice that require research in and around the Amathole district. There is a need to develop research capabilities of nurses in this district. Nurses with research capabilities will assist to inform best practise and strategies to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Furthermore, external donor funding specifically destined to transform the scholarship of the Nursing Sciences, with a view to improving the health of the people of this region by introducing Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes, has been received to the value of R16 million. Some of this funding is destined to upgrade infrastructure and promote human capital development, which will enhance research support capacity. Some donor funding has already been used for the building of new teaching facilities and for the purchase of library books for senior research degrees and more equipment is to be purchased for the computer laboratory to accommodate the needs of Masters and PhD students.

The academic staff involved in the programme has an average period of experience of more than 30 years each in diverse fields within the Nursing Sciences, but also including management, education, research and policy making. Advantage must be taken of this extensive knowledge base whilst it is available to younger students in the system. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The candidate must be able to demonstrate completion of a level of education that is equal to or equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (Level 8), subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Nursing Science.

Entry Requirements:
Unless the Senate decides otherwise and subjects to the specific requirement set out in rule National Senior Certificate (NSC) 14 for a particular field of study, a candidate shall be admitted to the studies for the Degree of Master Curationis only if he/she:
  • Is in possession of the Degree of Bachelor of Nursing Science (B Cur) or B.Cur, (I et A).
  • Is registered with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse.
  • NB: The international students must follow the SAQA, South African Nursing Council (SANC) criteria of having a dual registration.

    The said registration must be maintained throughout the period of study. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This Master Curationis is obtained by full dissertation and there are no modules. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of independent research.
  • Conduct an independent research.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analytical techniques.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive literature review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific academic writing.
  • Compose an original research doctoral thesis.
  • Contribute new knowledge in a chosen field. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • The ability to conduct an independent research.
  • The ability to show understanding of independent research.
  • The ability to apply research methods and analytical techniques.
  • The ability to conduct a literature review.
  • The ability to write in a scientific and academic manner.
  • Create an original research doctoral thesis.
  • Add knowledge to the chosen field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
  • Presentation of the research proposal to the ethical research committee and attainment of ethical approval to conduct the study.
  • Periodic supervised development of the research project.
  • Extensive literature review and development of scientific arguments around.

    Summative Assessment:
  • The output of the research project that meets both internal and external assessment.
  • Producing research product that could implement change in the health service system including policy development. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This course is offered at a high NQF level. It can be favourably compared with any other Master of Nursing Science (MCUR) qualification offered at the same level nationally, regionally and worldwide. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation to Masters in Public Health.

    Vertical articulation to Doctorate in Nursing.

    Diagonal articulation to Doctorate in Public Health. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Fort Hare 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.