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 Commerce 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111852  Master of Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 focus of the learning outcomes of the qualification focuses on the application and integration of a scientific and specialised level of knowledge and skills within a specialised area. This application of knowledge and skills will take place against the background of ethical and professional business practices and enable learners to exit from the qualification as knowledgeable, skilled learners with competence in scientifically founded reasoning, high-level communication and management skills.

Rationale:
The qualification affords individuals the opportunity to focus more scientifically on their specific field of specialisation and thus build on the advanced knowledge gained during their Bachelor Honours Degree studies. Individuals with this qualification should be able to display management and leadership skills, knowledge and expertise, both within the South African as well as the international context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT), and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor Honours qualification in related field, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Elective Modules:
  • Dissertation in applied economics, 96 Credits.
  • Development Economics, 24 Credits.
  • Research script in Advanced Business, 60 Credits.
  • Advanced strategic management, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced market research, 20 Credits.
  • Cross-section and panel data econometrics, 24 Credits.
  • Dissertation in Economics, 96 Credits.
  • Financial systems and monetary policy, 24 Credits.
  • Macroeconomics, 24 Credits.
  • Advanced time series econometrics, 24 Credits.
  • Advanced Econometrics, 24 Credits.
  • Readings in investment management, 24 Credits.
  • Retail management, 20 Credits.
  • Applied Microeconomics and competition policy, 24 Credits.
  • Project management, 20 Credits.
  • Capita Selecta, 24 Credits.
  • Dissertation in financial economics and investment management, 96 Credits.
  • Logistics and operations, 20 Credits.
  • Change and contemporary management, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On successful completion of this qualification, learners should be able to:
    1. Apply a specialised level of understanding and knowledge in their area of expertise.
    2. Critically reflect on ethical and professional business practices within their area of expertise.
    3. Contribute to the current knowledge base in their area of expertise by presenting and communicating academic ideas effectively and in a novel way.
    4. Display the ability to work independently and take full responsibility for their work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    It uses a combination of formative and summative assessment approaches, depending on the nature, content and exit level outcomes of the different modules. In modules, that utilises a combination of formative and summative assessment, the contribution of these aspects ranges between 40 and 60 %. Assessment methods include self-tests, online quizzes, tests, assignments, group assignments and exams. 

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

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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.