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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Nursing Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
102563  Master of Nursing Science 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of this qualification in nursing is to develop the student to become a competent researcher and leader in professional and community nursing and to prepare him/her for further study at Level 10.

Rationale:
The rationale behind this qualification is to promote scientifically grounded practice by professional and community nurses as independent practitioners within a multi-disciplinary team to address the needs of the time, the province, the country and the person. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Formal Prior Learning:
Prior accredited learning at the Further Education Training or Higher Education Training level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules should be recognized if evidence can be produced that shows that the student has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for modules of the BA in Behavioural Sciences and, if appropriate, allow the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements:
In addition to the General Academic Rules of the North-West University, the following minimum requirements for admission to the MNSc apply:
  • A student must provide proof that a) he/she has obtained a first 4-year Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent) in Nursing Science, with at least a 60% average for the final year modules.
    And
  • He/she is a registered nurse with the South African Nursing Council. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of one compulsory module and two elective modules at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module:
  • Research Methodology, 32 Credits.

    Elective Modules:
  • Dissertation, 148 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 148 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices as well as focused research in the fields of community and professional nursing.
    2: Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of study or practice.
    3. Command of and ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative research methods, techniques, processes or technologies to research problems in the fields of professional and community nursing.
    4. Use a range of research skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in the fields of professional and community nursing.
    5. Make autonomous ethical decisions which affect research, and demonstrate an ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in the context of community nursing.
    6. Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information, in order to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in community nursing to produce significant insights.
    7. Use the resources of academic and professional or occupational discourses to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research or development in professional and community nursing.
    8. Use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to a field, discipline or practice, to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
    9. Develop learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic or professional development, and can interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing learning.
    10. Operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her own work, and, where appropriate, account for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Show and understanding of systematic and integrated knowledge and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as in technology.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Show professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.
  • Critically reflect on, and show understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The foundation of research is assessed in a module on research methodology, and the conceptualisation, design and application of research is assessed by the completion of a dissertation on a relevant topic in professional or community nursing. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been developed in line with the South African Qualifications Authority Level Descriptors for Higher Education Qualifications Framework Level 9. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. It is furthermore comparable to other similar qualifications from around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional hours. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Music. 
    		•

    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 of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.