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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Gender Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110899  Master of Social Science in Gender Studies 
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 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
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 the qualification is to realise a high degree of sustained proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at l Postgraduate level in gender studies. The aim of the qualification is to produce skilled practitioners who can help attend to the needs of gender, governance and development, especially in South Africa, but also in comparable societies.

Rationale:
This qualification is intended to enhance the understanding of gender perspectives in the public sector, non-governmental organisations and community based organisations in Africa and South Africa in particular. It aims to inculcate scholarly learning in conjunction with acquiring relevant professional attributes and skills essential to gender practitioners in Africa. The case study materials used in the respective modules, in particular, pertain to South Africa and other African countries. 

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

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.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:
  • Cognate Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits:
  • Gender and Language, 16 Credits.
  • Social Research Design and Practice, 16 Credits.
  • Short Dissertation: Gender Studies, 96 Credits.
  • Gender and Media, 32 Credits.
  • Contemporary Issues in Gender Studies, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Articulate a theoretical understanding of key feminist theoretical concepts and ideas within feminism.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of new perspectives of feminism.
    3. Explain the key contemporary theoretical positions with regard to modern and contemporary debates.
    4. Develop tools for analysing problems from a gender and feminist perspective.
    5. Write critical interpretations of research-driven problems. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcome:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the core elements of gender studies.
  • Demonstrate specific research skills such as the ability to critically evaluate text using one or more of a range of gender theories as categories of analysis.
  • Present, using academic conventions, the findings of research.
  • Address an audience on background research and engage them in interaction on a topic in gender studies.
  • Apply Gender Theory to a personal and/or professional environment in written and oral presentations.
  • Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The approach and methods of assessment are multi-modal, incorporating both formative and summative assessment and are designed to assess the different competencies of the learners. Assessments tasks are therefore designed to support, develop and evaluate deeper learning. In keeping with this aim, formative assessment comprises class participation and weekly reflections of set readings in which a learner is assessed on his/her ability to critically reflect on the set readings and relate them to broader issues.

    Under formative assessment, the qualification also has class presentations in which learners are assessed on the presentation, their ability to facilitate discussion and respond to questions.

    Summative assessment comprises the evaluation against academic standards of either a research paper, a portfolio or a thesis depending on the method chosen. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Social Science, Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science in Development Studies, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science, Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    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.