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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Engineering Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111162  Master of Engineering Science 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
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:
This Master of Engineering Science is aimed at developing engineering science researchers in one of a wide range of engineering sciences. They will be able to analyse and/or develop complex engineering science systems by integrating their expertise from their non-engineering previous study with an engineering domain.

Rationale:
In contrast to the existing Masters of Engineering qualifications, the proposed qualification provides for interdisciplinary research. It will allow learners from various backgrounds to engage with engineering sciences research. At present, learners are required to master an extensive amount of engineering disciplinary knowledge when they transition from their non-engineering qualifications to the Master of Engineering (MEng) qualifications, which inhibits access and interdisciplinary research.

There is a substantial number of learners with non-engineering prior study wishing to enrol in the MEng qualifications. The need for the proposed qualification is thereby demonstrated.

The proposed qualification is primarily (but not exclusively) aimed at learners with the following qualifications: Bachelor of Science Honours Chemistry/Microbiology/Computer Science/Geology/Physics/Applied Mathematics/Biochemistry; Bachelor Commerce Honours; Bachelor of Medicine (MBChB); Bachelor of Science Agriculture; Bachelor Science Food Science. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The qualification conforms to the institution's Policy for the Regulation for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT).

Learners that do not meet the normal admission requirements, but have demonstrated through prior learning that they have achieved a similar level of expertise, will be considered for admission through the normal RPL processes.

A variety of assessments of prior formal, informal and non-formal learning may be used. These assessments may include, but are not restricted to the assessment of learning portfolios. Formal learning in the form of parts of the whole of academic qualifications that were followed at other institutions (i.e. University of Technology Diplomas or Degrees).

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours: Agriculture: Crop Science, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8, 120 Credits.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Food Science, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module: 180 Credits:
  • Thesis (Engineering Science), 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices, as well as advanced scholarship or research in the field of Engineering Science.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current processes of knowledge production, and to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the study or practice.
    3. Ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within a field; and Understanding the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specialised context.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to 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 the area of specialisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Identify the research and engineering problem and formulation of clear objectives for the study.
  • Develop the necessary research or investigative procedures.
  • Ensure the writing indicates an adequate command of the relevant research method.
  • Interpret research results.
  • Clearly and systematically present the material and a logical exposition of the argument in writing.
  • Properly document and support the results of independent research.
  • Demonstrate acceptable linguistic and stylistic presentation both in writing (for the thesis) and for the oral examination.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Final assessment is aligned with the institution's policy for the assessment of master's theses and involves the submission of a written thesis. Each of the examiners will submit a written, signed report on the thesis. The examiners will also have the opportunity to question the learner during an oral examination before finalising their decision. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There is a large variety of names for Master's qualifications in the engineering science area and some examples are: The University of Queensland in Australia offers a coursework-based Master of Engineering Science qualification that follows after a 4-year Bachelor's Degree. The University of South Queensland offers a coursework-based Master of Engineering Science (MEng) that follows a 3-year Bachelor's Degree, aimed at professional registration. UNSW in Sydney Australia offers a similar qualification, but named MEng, and also offers a MEngSc, which is also coursework-based, but more research focussed. Monash offers a research-based MEngSc. Cambridge (UK) offers an "MSc by Research in Engineering Science" and Penn State (USA) offers a Masters of Engineering in Engineering Science.

    It is evident that there are many comparable qualifications offered internationally that focuses on Engineering Science, however as stated most of the qualifications listed have a coursework focus, whereas this qualification is specifically aimed at developing engineering science researchers in engineering sciences who will be able to analyse and/or develop complex engineering science systems by integrating their expertise from their non-engineering previous study with an engineering domain. The qualifications that have a similar full research focus are the MSc by Research in Engineering Science (Cambridge, UK) and MEng in Engineering Science (Penn State, USA). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Engineering, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9.
  • Master of Engineering in Engineering Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering, 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.
     
    1. Stellenbosch 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.