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 Geography and Environmental Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100885	Master of Science in Geography and Environmental Management
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 07 - Human and Social Studies		Environmental Relations
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 the qualification is to enable students to acquire specialist and advanced knowledge and skills which are needed for research and research methodology in the field of Geography as well as Environmental Management. Many employers require a Master of Science (MSc) as the minimum qualification for working in a particular field. Thus, the qualification will embody aspects of practical training essential for functioning as a senior scientist in a work environment. The purpose is also to equip graduates with the tools necessary for them to be professional academic practitioners in the field of Geography and Environmental Management. Most universities also insist on an MSc level qualification or evidence of attainment of this standard as the minimum entry standard for Doctor of Philosophy training. The second purpose of this qualification is to provide the country with graduates in the natural sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge based economic and scholarly activity in the field of Geography and Environmental Management is widened.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended to provide the country with thoughtful and sensitive environmental practitioners who combine specialised in-depth knowledge of Geography with the skills associated with Environmental Management. The emphasis is on identifying, evaluating and offering solutions to environmental, social and management issues through innovative research, backed by a strong understanding of the natural science basis of environmental systems. Such graduates can serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors and will have the competency and skills to advance to a Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access purposes will require the candidate to comply with the admission requirements of the institution.

Entry Requirements:

Honours qualification in Geography or Environmental Sciences.

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. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Geography and Environmental Management and of the ethics of research and practice in this field of study.
2. Think critically and creatively, work as an individual and in research teams within a multidisciplinary environment, showing leadership and performing critical functions.
3. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with scientific and lay audiences.
4. Use appropriate research methods, techniques and principles underlying the research project.
5. Plan and execute research work, gather, analyse, evaluate and interpret appropriate scientific literature and data, and be competent to report in detail on such work by writing reports and a dissertation.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment will be aimed at determining whether the student has achieved the requisite level of knowledge required at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9, as well as the student's ability to use and apply specific methodological skills to critically review current literature in the subject area and to formulate and carry out a research a project, report on it and generate an integrated dissertation of research findings.

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 (SAQA) Level Descriptors for Level 9 with regard to outcomes, assessment, depth and complexity, as well as the notional study hours, are based. Furthermore, in the field of Geography and Environmental Sciences, 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. Dissertations in this qualification have been co-supervised or examined by international scholars, with generally favourable results. Theses supervisors have acted as external examiners for Masters dissertations for most South African Universities including: UCT, UJ, UFS, UKZN, UNISA, UP, US and TUT. This experience has consistently revealed that the output of this qualification is at least on par with other Universities. A number of peer reviewed articles have been published from dissertations completed in this qualification.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

Vertical Articulation

Doctor of Philosophy with Geography and/or Environmental Management.

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