SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Commerce 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99187  Master of Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 Masters of Commerce prepares students for different sectors such as higher institutions of learning, research centres, government, industry and commerce by providing them with an opportunity to deepen their theoretical base, analytical ability and research capabilities necessary to succeed in today's competitive job market.

It develops competent leaders in the field of the management sciences with specialised applied fundamental and generic cross functional knowledge and skills to steer sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction.

It also prepares the candidate for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies.

Rationale:
The Master of Commerce builds on the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours Degrees in various Undergraduate programmes in Management Sciences (Commerce) disciplines to provide further knowledge and research skills in order to promote sustainable growth and development and maximise prosperity in all sectors of the economy and society.

The qualification prepares the candidates to be competent in research and can apply specialised knowledge, tools and techniques in advanced discipline-based research and problem-solving.

The Master of Commerce Degree enables the best students to pursue specialised knowledge through independent research, and is designed to prepare them for specialist positions in the public and private sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria for the Masters of Commerce but can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for admission at the discretion of the University and in strict adherence to the relevant University policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements to the Master of Commerce is a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Honours in any management sciences disciplines or its equivalent at NQF Level 8 with an aggregate pass of at least 60%.

An equivalent to the above qualifications as determined by SAQA will be required for foreign qualifications. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. A demonstrable ability to write a research proposal.
2. A demonstrable ability to identify, collect, and analyse relevant primary or secondary data to provide research findings.
3. A demonstrable ability to communicate research outcomes effectively. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Formulation of research questions and rationale for study.
  • Critical appraisal of recent literature in the area of economics chosen for study.
  • Relate economic theory to practice
  • Selection and description of research methods and econometric techniques that apply in the area of economics chosen for study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Production of research instruments for primary data collection.
  • Creation of a data bank for primary or secondary data on the economic area of choice.
  • Use of statistical analysis software such as STATA, EVIEWS and SPSS.
  • Interpretation of results and findings to inform policy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Production of written dissertation.
  • Presentation of research methods, findings and policy recommendations using oral and electronic medium.
  • Defend ideas that are outcomes of research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Formative Assessment includes a written project proposal which is assessed by the school and university higher Degrees committees.

    The Summative Assessment applies on the end product, which is a dissertation. Appointed internal and external examiners grade the dissertation in accordance with the applicable University rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Commerce qualification compares internationally with the following:
    1. University of Queensland in UK by research.
    2. University of Auckland in New Zealand by research.
    3. Australian National University by research. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Candidates can articulate vertically to doctoral studies in management sciences related fields 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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 Venda 


    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.