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 Science in Urban and Regional Planning

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100872	Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning
ORIGINATOR
North West University
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Life Sciences
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
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this research qualification is to equip students with the necessary competencies to plan, execute and write up innovative scientific research in the urban and regional planning field that will make an original contribution to the existing knowledge, skills and values in the field/discipline.

The qualification thus aims at producing competent, ethical and professional practitioners who will meet the needs of South Africa in the field of urban and regional planning. The Master's qualification is responsive to the urban and regional planning needs and care of the South African population in its diverse contexts.

Rationale:
The Master's qualification in Urban and Regional Planning adds much value to the training of Urban and Regional Planners, since national and regional needs were taken into consideration in the development of this qualification. The curriculum accommodates not only career opportunities in the practice of Urban and Regional Planning consonant with the manpower needs of the country, but also in the research thereof.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The institution also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at this or another institution, or informally (obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning programme of the institution.

In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning programmes (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements:

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of one compulsory module at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply advanced subject-specific and integrated general planning knowledge and skills in addressing difficult planning issues and in identifying, analysing and solving complex and abstract problems.
2. Conduct research under guidance, and collect, process, analyse and interpret data and to write down these findings meaningfully in a dissertation.
3. Retrieve new knowledge and to remain at the forefront of the latest technology and experimental methods in planning.
4. Apply the knowledge and skills acquired in these studies meaningfully as an entrepreneur or for the benefit of the national economy and the people in a specific work situation.
5. Act as a leader in the local or general community; the ability to communicate professionally or in general with scientists and the community, whether orally or in writing, while making use of the appropriate structure, style and graphic and electronic support.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment is based on integrated assessment through a research thesis and articles, which aim at assessing students' ability to plan, structure, conceptualise and execute innovative scientific research that makes an original contribution to the field/discipline and report the findings thereof. Assessment is initiated when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written.

Examination of the dissertation is done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialisation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Sciences is comparable to similar qualifications in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New-Zealand and Australia, on which the South African Qualifications Authority Level Descriptors for Level 9 with regard to outcomes, assessment, depth and complexity, as well as the notional study hours, are based.

In this field of study, the qualification leader and lecturers are constantly in discussion with peers and colleagues from universities abroad to ensure that the qualification offered here is of international comparable standard. Furthermore, the qualification is based on the Commonwealth approach, as can be seen at Ball State University United States of America-College of Architecture and Planning and the University of Queensland.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.

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.	North West University