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 Philosophy in Maritime Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
108834  Master of Philosophy in Maritime Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
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  2019-02-13  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 qualification is to equip learners with requisite knowledge and skills to participate as specialists in a socio-economic development and socio-ecological context as it applies to maritime security and governance, port management and logistics, maritime socio-economic development, supply chain management and socio-ecological resilience. Qualified learners will contribute to the development, implementation and review of maritime policy, make informed decisions and manage resources accountably and ethically.

Rationale:
The Master of Philosophy in Maritime Studies follows on the existing Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies. It constitutes the culmination of a series of initiatives triggered by the Maritime Studies Meeting. The following are pertinent in terms of the rational:
  • The Institution has the potential to contribute academically and strategically in respect of Maritime Studies in its broadest, multi-disciplinary sense.
  • SAMSA (South African Maritime Authority) is consulting with institutions around the country about the skills needs of the maritime sector.
  • There is a need to take stock of policy calls for Higher Education (HE) to become much more involved in skills development for the maritime sector.
  • There is currently a low level of maritime consciousness nationally, but there is a growing recognition that there is a need to manage and preserve our marine and coastal resources and promote environmental sustainability.
  • Higher Educations (HE) can play an important role in providing scientific expertise to inform the public and policy-makers in respect of economic benefits and environmental considerations to promote informed decision-making.
  • In the Eastern Cape, given its location and existing strengths in marine studies, the Institution would have to take a leading role in staking a claim in maritime studies.

    He has a competitive advantage as a result of inter-disciplinary and comprehensive programme offerings that could contribute to Maritime Studies in a holistic manner-horizontal and vertical integration of knowledge fields within one institution. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Maritime Studies aims to take full advantage of the opportunity.

    Current academic and strategic initiatives in maritime and marine sciences (MMS) are aligned with key developmental opportunities portrayed in the concept of the "blue economy" which is considered "a multidimensional economic sector" finding expression in multiple initiatives in South Africa and Africa's Integrated Marine Strategy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. Such candidates may be required to approach the Head of Department (HOD) regarding the Faculty RPL policy and process. The HOD will advise the candidate whether or not the RPL process is an option. Applicants who qualify to pursue this option will complete the standard application form. A portfolio of evidence provided by the applicant will then be assessed to determine whether the required standards are met. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant Institution and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) RPL policies and approval by relevant faculty structures.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is:
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
  • An Honours Degree in Maritime Studies.
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies at Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Maritime Economic Development, 20 Credits.
  • Water-based Tourism, 20 Credits.
  • Maritime Governance and Security, 20 Credits.
  • Marine Law and Policy, 20 Credits.
  • Maritime Socio-ecological Resilience, 20 Credits.
  • Maritime Logistics, 10 Credits.
  • Port Management, 10 Credits.
  • Treatise, 60 Credits.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is:
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies.
  • An Honours Degree in Maritime Studies.
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Maritime Studies at Level 8. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of and insight into the development of natural resource economics theory by conceptualising and applying new approaches and creating knowledge in the field of Maritime Economics with a view to sustainable local, regional and national development in the maritime sector.
    2. Offer and communicate creative insights, make decisions and use resources accountably and ethically during programme planning and delivery with strong emphasis on community buy-in and support.
    3. Actively participate in and contribute to the development and review of marine policy and the implementation of marine law with special emphasis on regional issues and concerns.
    4. Propose and develop appropriate, effective and sustainable programmes through the use of case studies and other appropriate examples to build and enhance sustainable maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological projects in the region.
    5. Access, process and manage information with an ability to design, implement and report research grounded in maritime and economic theory.
    6. Integrate maritime theory, policies, principles, concepts, practices and techniques and extend and apply them to the following specialised fields in socio-economic and socio-ecological context to the benefit of the region:
    > Security and Governance.
    > Maritime Economic Development.
    > Maritime Socio-ecological resilience.
    > Water-based Tourism.
    > Port Logistics.
    > Port Management.
    7. Manage own learning, conduct critical self-reflection and demonstrate emotional intelligence and accountability. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The impact of key moments in maritime economic development, both historical and geographical, is analysed, evaluated and reported.
  • Economic theory and policy are applied to investigate and explain significant spurts of sustained maritime economic growth across the globe.
  • The relationship between ports, transport, economic growth and regional development is clarified.
  • The market structure, the geographic structure and the development and profitability of the different parts of the maritime industry are analysed and described.
  • Current maritime markets, both regional and international, are explored and analysed to identify and provide qualified explanations and predictions of trends and cycles about the development and sustainability of new markets.
  • The regulatory environment in which ship ownership and operations are conducted is analysed and significant aspects described.
  • Maritime terminology is applied to the business of shipping, shipping operations, maritime trade and water-based tourism in natural resource and socio-economic context.
  • A rationale for the application of economic theory and innovative economic models to sustainable maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological development is presented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Creativity is displayed in methods and techniques applied to regional maritime socio-economic and socio-ecological problem-solving.
  • Decision-making and presentation reflect an ethical stance to complex maritime-related organisational and professional issues in regional context.
  • Resources of maritime discourses are managed and used effectively to communicate, defend and substantiate ideas with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.
  • Strong emphasis is placed on communities of practice, acceptance and ownership which is reflected in interactions with others.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The maritime zone(s) relevant to a specific issue is identified and described.
  • The legal and/or policy instrument(s) relevant to a specific issue is identified, described and applied.
  • Legal and/or policy solutions to specific maritime issues are considered and assessed with a view to a decision or action.
  • Potential courses of action to resolve a dispute on a specific maritime issue are indicated and motivated.
  • Significant aspects of South African law of the sea are evaluated in the context of the international law of the sea.
  • General principles of law regulating transport at sea, the exploitation of marine resources, the protection of the marine environment and maritime security are analysed and appraised.
  • Key aspects of/moments in the historical development of marine law and policy are identified, reviewed and evaluated.
  • A critical approach to the legal sources in marine law is adopted to identify, discuss and resolve legal issues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Various management and governance approaches to coastal socio-economic and socio-ecological systems are analysed and evaluated.
  • The complex nature of marine and maritime social and ecological systems is investigated, described and the need for an adaptive management approach to the governance of the maritime landscape motivated, with special reference to regional issues of governance.
  • Key processes that drive marine and coastal socio-ecological system dynamics in the region are analysed and appraised.
  • The influence of policy on managing complex marine and maritime systems is investigated and assessed.
  • Regional marine conservation and maritime management problems are identified and investigated, and alternative solutions proposed.
  • Governance frameworks in support of regional marine and coastal socio-ecological resilience are developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Current research and practices are engaged, critiqued and scholarship advanced within the maritime domain.
  • Pertinent research problems and/or questions arising in the region in any of the associated fields of Maritime Studies are identified, framed and investigated by means of an appropriately prepared research design and methodology.
  • A research report is presented in the format of a treatise that complies with institutional requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • A prototype integrated coastal management plan is produced with the potential to inform regional coastal policies in support of effective management and maritime governance structures and processes reflective of contemporary marine environmental science.
  • The scope of maritime logistics and operations management and its impact on overall supply chain performance in regional and international trade is delineated.
  • The impact of effective port management on the overall performance of the maritime sector is investigated and elucidated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Own learning strategies reflect independent learning and critical self-reflection as well as the ability to interact effectively with others, both as leader and follower as appropriate.
  • The capacity to recognise own and other people's emotions is displayed, as well as the ability to discriminate between different feelings and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour.

    Integrated Assessment:
    A mixed mode type of assessment applies. Formative assessment during the course of the semester constitutes a mixture of short assignments during the course of the semester, coupled with oral presentations, informal tests (progress checks) during contact sessions. The outcomes of these assessments provide feedback to learners and lecturers in order to show progress and identify non-or underperforming learners, the aim being to implement innovative remedial teaching and learning strategies and activities to improve learning.

    Summative Assessment will take the form of two formal assignments per module, one each at the end of a set of units of work, and one formal mid-semester test. At the end of the semester, students sit for a formal three-hour examination. The results of the two assignments and mid-semester test will contribute to a cumulative class mark with a weighting of 40 % towards the final mark, and an examination mark contributing a further 60%. A sub-minimum of 40% applies.

    In the formal summative assessments students are required to identify key issues to be addressed in problems situated in the field, and solve such problems using critical and creative thinking. In the assignments, the examination as well as the research project, learners are required to relate and integrate knowledge and theory to practical problems and contexts in the fields associated with Maritime Studies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualifications:

    Singapore, Nanyang Technological University offers Master of Science (MSc) in Maritime Studies.

    Core Courses (Compulsory):
    MT6201/2 Shipping Management.
    The first module introduces students to the role of maritime transport in international trade and to the specific tasks that face the executives of shipping companies and other organisations in the maritime industry. Module 2 provides students with an understanding of commercial practices and the legislative and contractual framework of international shipping.

    MT6101 Project Management:
    This module addresses the considerable changes seen in recent years in areas where project work is used. The planning and organisation of projects as well as their management are discussed.

    MT6102 Maritime Economics:
    This module provides students with a detailed understanding of maritime economic fundamentals. The topics include main concepts and tools in micro-and macro-economics and their application to maritime transport, shipping markets, shipping demand and supply, shipping costs and freight rate mechanism, economics for shipping strategy, future shipping market, tramp shipping, liner shipping, ship financing, economics of maritime regulations, and the relationship between maritime transport and national economy.

    Electives (Not all Electives will be offered each semester):
  • MT6103 Strategic Planning.
  • MT6104 Cross Cultural Management.
  • MT6204 Ship Operations, Brokering and Chartering.
  • MT6301 Maritime Logistics.
  • MT6302 Port Management.
  • MT6304 Marine Insurance.
  • MT6401 Environmental Shipping.

    United Kingdom, City University London offers MSc in Maritime Operations and Management.

    Course Structure: Core Modules:
  • Maritime economics and finance.
  • Maritime law.
  • Maritime operations.
  • Maritime management.
  • Maritime technology.
  • Maritime environmental issues.

    Elective Modules:
  • Marketing of marine services.
  • Strategic planning for ports and shipping business.
  • Security studies, accident investigation and crisis management.
  • Ship and marine equipment design.
  • Risk management.
  • Offshore technology and operations.

    Completion of modules and examinations will lead to the award of a Postgraduate Diploma. If, in addition, a project followed by a dissertation is undertaken by a student, this will lead to the award of a Master's Degree.

    Australia, University of Wollongong:
    Course Structure:
    Students are required to satisfactorily complete 48 Credit points, comprising 16 Credit points of core subjects and 32 Credit points of elective subjects, from the subjects listed in the Course Program.

    Course:
    Core Modules:
  • Law of the Sea.
  • Research Project in Maritime Studies.

    Electives Modules:
  • Strategy and Sea Power.
  • Maritime Regulation and Enforcement.
  • Legal Regulation of Shipping.
  • Comparative Oceans Policy.
  • Maritime Security Law and Policy.
  • Contemporary Maritime Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region.
  • International Marine Environmental Law.
  • Selected Topic in Maritime Studies.
  • Minor Thesis in Maritime Studies.
  • Integrated Marine and Coastal Management.
  • International Fisheries Law.
  • Fisheries Management.
  • Integrated Monitoring, Control and Surveillance. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation with:
  • Master of Commerce in Maritime Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Development Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Tourism Management, Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Logistics, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Development Finance, Level 9.

    Vertically Articulation with:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies (Maritime Economic Development), Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism (Water-based Tourism), Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (Port Management), Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Logistics (Maritime Logistics), 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.
     
    1. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.