SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Information Technology Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111436  Master of Science in Information Technology Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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  2019-08-23  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 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide a NQF Level 9 for Computer Science/Information Technology (IT) or Information Systems so that a learner can pursue their studies at a postgraduate level with broad based focus on Information Resource Management. Those who achieve this qualification would have a broad knowledge of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at management and executive level and develop high level management skills to respond to rapidly changing IT business environment at national and international level.

Rationale:
The qualification provides for greater flexibility and options for the professionally-oriented learner and stakeholders to have an academically oriented qualification. This will facilitate the convergence of learner from Diploma or Honours (Computer Science/IT or Information Systems) to the Masters level. This group of Master's level learners will contribute to existing and new knowledge in ICT management which could reduce the shortage of skills in the IT field and help develop sustainable retention strategies in South Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be conducted according to the RPL policy of the institution. A learner applying for the qualification through RPL route will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence illustrating their knowledge, skills and experience in the field. An assessment will be given where necessary.

According to the institutional RPL policy, a learner may obtain access to this qualification via the RPL route if he or she meets the admission requirements of the prerequisite qualification. Learners wishing to apply this route need to provide evidence that their existing qualifications together with relevant work or research experience in the field have led to learning (skills and knowledge) which is similar to the formal admission requirements.

The RPL office will assist the learners to do a self-assessment and compile a portfolio of evidence which will be assessed by an assessment panel consisting of subject specialists. If necessary, further assessment of eligibility for instance in the form of a more extended portfolio of evidence, panel interview or challenge examination may be requested. Depending on the evidence provided, the outcome may be direct access or conditional access to the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Information Resource Management (IRM)/Computer Science/Information Systems/Information and Communications Technology (ICT), NQF Level 8.
    OR
  • Postgraduate Diploma in IRM/Computer Science/Information Systems/ICT, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits:
  • Advanced Overview of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) and Strategy Generation, 24 Credits.
  • Financial, Demand and Service Portfolio Management, 24 Credits.
  • ICT Quality, Risk Management and Law, 24 Credits.
  • ICT Project Management and Leadership, 24 Credits.
  • Master's Proposal in Science, Engineering and Technology, 24 Credits.
  • Research Project, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Describe the components of each domain of an Electronic Arts (EA) in a selected Information and Communications Technology (ICT) environment.
    2. Define Leadership in Information Technology (IT) service management.
    3. Define Management in IT Service Strategy Processes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Adequately describe the following four main domains: business, information, applications and technology.
  • Generate and document a strategy in a Strategic Plan for Information Technology Service Management (ITSM).
  • Show how the ITSM Strategy document builds and supports the Business or corporate strategy.
  • Align the ITSM Strategy document with the vision, mission and values in organisational documentation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
    Two different types of assignments are specified for Master of Sciences in Information Resource Management. These assignments could be in the form of projects and case studies.

    Summative Assessment Portfolio based where internal moderators on the qualification interact with assessors in planning and implementing all the assessments and ensure that Associated Assessment Criteria are available to learner. They also have a responsibility towards learner by ensuring assessment criteria/guidelines are made available to learner in tutorial letters so that learner are made aware of summative and formative assessment criteria before examination, and that learner are made aware of the appeals processes for formative assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The content of the Master's in Information Resource Management (Master's in IRM) has been aligned with the content of Master of Science in Computer Information systems at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) United States of America (USA) and Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology at the Claremont Graduate University, (CGU) California in the USA.

    The content of the Master of Science in IRM is similar to the cited international universities. The content has been structured in accordance with the requirements for the Master's qualifications from these universities:

    Master of Science in Computer Information systems at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in the United States of America (USA) offers the following modules:
  • Strategic.
  • Information Planning & IT.
  • Management Accounting and Services.
  • Ethical, Social and Legal Issues in Computer Information Systems/risk and assurance.
  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Project Management.
  • Research Project.

    Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology at the Claremont Graduate University, (CGU) California in the USA offers the following modules:
  • Strategic Information Systems.
  • Financial Accounting and Services.
  • Organisational Behaviour & practices.
  • ICT Management & Leadership (Management of IS & Technology).
  • Research Project. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Computing, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management 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. University of South Africa 


    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.