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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Sciences in Population Studies and Sustainable Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111413  Master of Social Sciences in Population Studies and Sustainable Development 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
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  People/Human-Centred Development 
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 this qualification is to deliver learners who are well able to undertake advanced research on complex academic and realistic problems within the discipline with the view to generating new scientific knowledge and/or develop policy options/workable solutions to socio-economic and political challenges and to report on them in a prescribed scientific, concise
and comprehensive format. With the knowledge acquired in this qualification, learners will be adequately equipped to enhance their careers with confidence and contribute to the development of the society and country in general.

Rationale:
The rationale behind this Master's Degree is to equip students with in-depth disciplinary and research knowledge and skills that will enable them to do investigative research in issues relating to Population Studies and Sustainable Development and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge for the use of policymakers in the country. The qualification enables the learner to develop as a researcher in population studies and sustainable development and to conduct a research project successfully and thereby produce knowledge to the advantage of society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access purposes will require the candidate to comply with the admission requirements of the institution. The principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role are accepted. Recognition of Prior Learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at any institution, or informally by experience is an indispensable element in granting admission to the qualification or for the awarding of credits towards the qualification.

Recognising Prior Learning involves provable knowledge and learning that the learner obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level knowledge and skills required for the contemplated qualification (or modules therein) or status for which the learner is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. RPL takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the learner demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements:
  • An Honours Degree in Population Studies and Sustainability, Level 8 or relevant qualification.
    Or
  • A cognate Bachelor's Degree in Population Studies and Sustainability, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of one compulsory module totalling 180 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and advanced competencies in the identification of a viable discipline-specific or inter-disciplinary research question that can be researched individually or within a group.
    2. Design and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and procedures in an ethical and scientific way to investigate the problem. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:

    The Exit level Outcomes are assessed in an integrated way by applying the following Associated Assessment Criteria during the carrying out of the research, the writing of the dissertation and the presentation of the findings.
  • The problem is realistic, relevant and well stated.
  • The research is carried out ethically and responsibly.
  • The findings are interpreted using up-to-date knowledge in the field.
  • The research findings are scientifically reported and communicated in writing in accordance with academic protocols.
  • The research findings and recommendations are presented with the aid of Information Technology (IT) to an audience of academic peers.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of a Master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written.

    Examination of the dissertation is done by at least two examiners all of whom are experts in the field and one of whom is external. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:
    Vertical articulation:
  • Doctor of Population Studies and Sustainable Development, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Population Studies and Sustainable Development, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Population Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Population Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Sustainability Management, Level 9. 
    		•

    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.
     
    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.