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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Urban and Regional Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111190  Master of Urban and Regional Planning 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-09  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 
The purpose of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Level 9 is to develop professionals and researchers to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. Complex problems will be researched and learners will be afforded the opportunity to provide solutions to the challenges being experienced in the ever-growing urban centres. Learners ought to be able to lead, interrogate, analyse and contribute towards the growth of the Urban and Regional Planning sector.

Rationale:
The Master of Urban and Regional Planning is aimed at both emerging professionals and learners seeking an academic, professional path. The Master's qualification will provide further articulation pathways for learners from the Bachelors and Honours qualifications providing learners with the opportunity to acquire much-needed knowledge and skills in urban planning and development sector at Master's level.

The qualification will provide opportunities to Urban and Regional Planning learners and professionals in related fields as well, (including civil engineers, construction managers, quantity surveyors, architects, building scientists, and real estate and valuation specialists), and in this manner appeals to broad spectrum of learners, that could advance their knowledge and grow their careers.

The qualification is a research-intensive qualification, which will cater to Assistant Planners, Planners and Professional Planners who seek to work, or presently work across a range of departments in public, private, corporates and NGOs. The qualification aims to engage learners with the core theories and principles of Urban and Regional Planning, potentially linking their research focus to a range of disciplinary and multi-disciplinary perspectives. Learners will learn how to manage spatial issues and human activities in urban and regional planning. They will be exposed to the opportunities available to those pursuing studies in this field and will be introduced to the research avenues in the Urban Planning sphere, such as:
  • Urban and Regional Planning.
  • Urban Design.
  • Land Economics.
  • Transport Planning.
  • Valuation and Property management.
  • Regional Economic Analysis.

    Learners will also be equipped with high-level, core research principles in Urban Planning, which will enable them to apply their research skills in their working environments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is accepted as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and relevant prior learning can be assessed and credit awarded where relevant. Through RPL, learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at the institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Urban and Regional Planning, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory research project and the writing of a dissertation at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate relevant urban planning theory useful in solving planning, development and management practical problems in cities of the developing world.
    2. Apply concepts of planning design and policy issues in urban and regional planning.
    3. Synthesise concepts, principles and applications of research methods, process and requirements and complete a dissertation in urban and regional planning.
    4. Research urban information systems and Geographic Information System (GIS) in planning applications to structure and restructure urban and regional settlements.
    5. Apply theories, philosophies, debates and interpretations to community planning and environmental management. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Evaluate relevant Urban and Regional Planning theories.
  • Analyse challenges related to the field.
  • Demonstrate the effective application and integration of knowledge within the study.
  • Cohesively link findings to applicable theoretical underpinnings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Link and critique relevant policies relevant to their study.
  • Demonstrate planning design implications as it relates to their research.
  • Engage with design challenges as it pertains to their study.
  • Demonstrate a thorough and complex knowledge of key concepts of the discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate the appropriate methodologies for the study.
  • Offer relevant theoretical underpinnings for their arguments.
  • Offer integrated solutions to current challenges in the industry.
  • Produce a dissertation under supervision.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Link Geographic Information System (GIS) and or other technological advances to their study.
  • Offer technological solutions to challenges experienced.
  • Analyse data gathered during their study.
  • Review planning applications and their use in addressing challenges of the industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Relate their research to a specific community.
  • Offer insight into the challenges experienced in community planning.
  • Evaluate environmental management challenges, in relation to their study.
  • Apply theories to support the findings of their dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment is conducted by supervisor reports and progress reports. The Summative Assessment is based on the completed dissertation submitted.

    For the full dissertation: two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor (a full-time academic staff of the institution) and the other an external assessor. Assessors are appointed by Faculty on the basis of their scholarship and expertise. The recommendations of the external assessor are received by Faculty and transmitted to the learner's supervisor for further consideration, comments, corrections or improvements. A pass is awarded for a weighted overall mark of no less than 50% and a distinction for a calculated mark of at least 75%. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Comparability:
    The qualification is comparable with the following qualifications:
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of New South Wales.
    Qualification: Masters in City Planning.

    Content:
    Admission requirements are a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or an Honours Degree in Urban and Regional Planning or acceptable alternative qualification (equivalent to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. Learners are required to write a dissertation (URMD8900) or publish (or have accepted for publication) of an article in an accredited journal.

    Synopsis:
    Both Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Level 9 and the University of New South Wales qualification are focused on research in the area of urban and regional planning. Their purposes, design and entrance requirements are similar.

    Country: Netherlands
    Institution: University of Amsterdam.
    Qualification: Master's Urban Studies (Research).

    Content:
    The two-year Research Master's in Urban Studies deals with questions surrounding the increasing urbanisation of today's world. The Research Master's qualifications are two-year qualifications specifically designed for learners wishing to pursue a career in research. Their objective is to prepare leaners for an academic career, a career in applied research, or research-intensive jobs in policy or professional fields.

    Synopsis:
    Both the Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Level and the University of Amsterdam qualification are research-focused in the area of urban and regional planning. Their purposes and structure are similar, although the European one is a two-year qualification.

    Country: USA
    Institution: Harvard University-Graduate School of Design.
    Qualification: Master in Urban Planning.

    Content:
    This is a two-year qualification that focuses on four key areas of concern: animate the learning environment: how planning can manage change in complex environments; dealing with multiple scales and systems; engaging ethically with problems now and in the future; and planning as an active practice where implementation matters.

    Synopsis:
    The qualifications are fairly similar in areas of research. The Harvard qualification focuses more on global issues, whilst the institution's qualification, encourages planning research linked to developing countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Science, Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning, Level 9.
  • Master of Science: Urban and Regional Planning: Development Planning, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning, 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.