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 Social Sciences in International Relations

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
102741	Master of Social Sciences in International Relations
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 07 - Human and Social Studies		General Social Science
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

Rationale:
The rationale behind the Master of Social Sciences in International Relations is to equip learners with in-depth disciplinary and research knowledge and skills that will enable them to do investigative research in issues relating to international relations, and also to contribute to the advancement of knowledge for the use of policymakers in the country.

Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Social Sciences in International Relations is to deliver learners who are well able to undertake advanced research on complex academic and realistic problems within the field of international relations with the view to generating new scientific knowledge and/or develop policy options/workable solutions to socio-economic and political challenges. Learners will be able to produce scientific, concise and comprehensive research reports. Qualifying learners will be adequately equipped to enhance their career with confidence and also to contribute to the development of the society and country in general.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access purposes will require the learner to comply with the admission requirements of the institution. 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 RPL, obtained either by formal learning, or informally (obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specific qualification.

In applying RPL, the institution deals with provable knowledge and learning that the learner obtained by following formal learning 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 qualification and the modules therein, or status for which the learner is applying and not merely about the experience the learner can prove. RPL takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the learner demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the qualification.

Entry Requirements:

An Honours Degree in the relevant discipline, NQF Level 8.
Or

A cognate four-year qualification at Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of a compulsory module totalling 180 Credits.

Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and advanced competencies in the identification of a viable research question that can be researched individually or within a group, both discipline-specific or interdisciplinary.
2. Design and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative formats and procedures in an ethical and scientific way to investigate the problem, then interpret and report the research findings scientifically and communicate the findings in writing in accordance with academic protocols, and also orally with the aid of IT, to an audience of academic peers.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of a master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the institution. Approval 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 specialization.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This master's qualification is comparable to similar qualifications from around the world with regard to outcomes and assessment criteria, the depth and complexity involved in the study process and with due regard to notional study time. To ensure international comparability, the level descriptors of NQF Level 9 were bench-marked against the standards and norms contained in the qualifications frameworks developed for countries around the world.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Social Science in International Relations, NQF Level 10.

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.

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