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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Housing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110160  Master of Housing 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
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 intended purpose is to develop critical understanding of the major components of Housing and provide necessary, specialised skills that will enable learners to practice as housing experts and undertake research in Housing that would contribute to knowledge at an advanced level. Learners are made to engage with advanced skills in Housing that can be used in the areas of Housing Policy and Finance, Housing Implementation, Theories which underpin the delivery of Housing, Sustainable Development, Developing research and data analysis.

Rationale:
The qualification offers learners an educational discipline and professional training in housing and shelter related issues. The qualification aims to make a contribution in training housing specialists who will be conversant in different topical housing issues, and who appreciate the importance of the skills obtained in addressing the historical imbalances in housing delivery in the South African context, while gaining from experiences within the international context. The qualification has been aligned and contributes to the advancement of African Scholarship in the discipline of Housing by including staff with appropriate expertise and commitment to such scholarship; prioritising literature and policy development documents directly relevant to national and continental contexts; and by sharing knowledge and expertise by means of collaborative research and teaching with scholars in South Africa and other African countries. It reflects the institution's mission and vision, strategic plan, specifically to emphasis already included such as pre-eminence in research, contribution towards it being an institution of choice for learners, and in teaching and learning towards professionalism in Housing. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

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 qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Built Environment (Architecture), National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Built Environment in Urban and Regional Planning, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.
  • Bachelor of the Built Environment in Construction, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 320 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, Level 9 288 Credits:
  • Layout and Sub-Division, 32 Credits.
  • Project Management and Evaluation, 32 Credits.
  • Housing Theory and Practice, 32 Credits.
  • Advanced Housing Policy and Finance, 32 Credits.
  • Local Area Analysis, 16 Credits.
  • Short Dissertation: Housing, 96 Credits.
  • Housing Implementation, 32 Credits.
  • Dissertation Methodology: Housing, 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 32 Credits:
  • Special Housing Studies A, 32 Credits.
  • Social Policy, 16 Credits.
  • Integrated development, 32 Credits.
  • Special Planning Studies B, 32 Credits.
  • Special Planning Studies A, 32 Credits.
  • Local Economic Development, 16 Credits.
  • State, Institutions and Development, 16 Credits.
  • Implementation in IDP, 16 Credits.
  • Special Housing Studies, 32 Credits.
  • Project Packaging, 32 Credits.
  • Development Management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Engage with Housing Theories and Concepts and understand their relevance in the formation of Housing policy.
  • Articulate research-based and theoretically - informed knowledge in relation to the core components of Housing viz: Theory and Practice, Housing Policy and finance, and project packaging and implementation.
  • Critically analyse and evaluate different sources of Housing Finance and their appropriateness in different housing development contexts, conduct research on an issue relevant to Housing and report on their findings in academically appropriate ways.
  • Demonstrate competence to package Housing projects, undertake and monitor progress in housing implementation processes.
  • Critically reflect on the housing challenges within the national and regional contexts. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Housing implementation process and competence to monitor progress in Housing development process by preparing a site visit report on a housing development project.
  • Carry out independent research on issues relevant to housing as a sector and discipline by preparing a short dissertation.
  • Explain the role of Housing in influencing the economic, social, political, technical, cultural and institutional landscapes of the country through seminars and essays.
  • Analyse and interpret Housing policies.
  • Apply the principles, concepts and hard skills of site analysis and residential layout subdivision.
  • Prepare a layout and a layout report wherein principles, concepts and skills are displayed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification requires learners to form small study groups and to join electronic newsgroups as supplementary ways to facilitate discussions. Take-home writing assignments are featured in most modules rather than in-class examinations so learners have time and opportunity to defend a position through creatively reasoned, carefully supported arguments. In addition, the qualification places emphasis on the development of research capacity in research methodology. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Housing, Level 9 has been compared with the following international offerings:

    1. University College, London (Bartlett School of Planning): Master of Science Housing and City Planning. The entry requirement is an upper second class Bachelor's Degree. This qualification has a duration of one-year full time or two-years part time and consists of the following modules:
    6 Core modules (90 Credits):
  • Planning for Housing: Process.
  • Planning for Housing: Project.
  • Principles of Sustainable Housing Design.
  • Low Energy Housing Retrofit
  • Economics and Finance for Housing Projects.
  • Management of Housing Projects.

    2 Elective modules (30 Credits):
  • Spatial Planning; Critical Debates in Planning.
    Or
    Any other open Master of Science (MSc) module:
    Dissertation (60 Credits ) 10 000 words.

    It also contains a field trip to Europe that forms part of the Workplace Integrated Learning.

    2. University of Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong. The entry requirement is a Bachelor's Degree with Honours or equivalent. This qualification has a duration of one-year full time or two-years part time and consists of the following modules:
    Core modules (27 Credits):
  • Housing economics (6 Credits).
  • International housing policies and practices (6 Credits).
  • Foundation course on research methods (3 Credits).
  • Housing, planning and sustainability (6 Credits).
  • Transitional Cities: Urban and Housing Development.

    2 Electives (12 Credits):
  • Practices of Housing Management and maintenance.
  • Alternative dispute resolution.
  • Strategic Facility Planning and Asset Management.
  • Transport Policy and Planning.
  • Planning Practice, Law and Ethics in Hong Kong.
  • Globalisation and urban and regional development in China.
  • Sociology of Housing; Facility and Asset Management.

    Dissertation (24 Credits) 15 000-20 000 words.
    The Master of Housing, Level 9 compares favourably with the above-mentioned international offerings in terms of:
  • The format, i.e compulsory and elective modules and a research component.
  • Duration.
  • Entry requirements. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Housing Development and Management, Level 9. 
    		•

    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 (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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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    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.