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
115175  Master of Commerce 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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 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 qualification includes various specialisations, refer to "Notes".
The primary purpose of the Master of Commerce is to equip learners with Postgraduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in selected subfields of the Business, Commerce and Management Studies. Learners will develop competence to apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes and technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems in their selected field or across fields. Learners will receive the techniques for independent research, analysis and articulation of ideas, which are transferable to further postgraduate study at Doctoral level.

Rationale:
There is a need to develop competent leaders in the fields of Business, Commerce and Management Sciences with specialised basic, applied fundamental and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge and competence to drive sustainable development, growth and prosperity in the most appropriate direction. Learners will develop into such leaders as well as competent researchers who become specialists in selected fields of commerce with the ability to conduct research and engage with current research and commercial practices. They will demonstrate advanced scholarship in selected aspects of these fields of study, and across fields of study, and so contribute to the national and international advancement of commerce by applying appropriate and creative methods and technologies to identify and resolve complex theoretical and practical problems.

Learners will develop into lifelong learners, employable researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the commerce community that make positive and high-level contributions to not only business establishments, but also society as a whole. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences has an approved RPL policy based on the institutional RPL policy, by which each RPL learner will receive an assessment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has become an internationally accepted practice in higher education institutions and aims to increase access to higher education for many people for whom this was previously not possible. RPL is an access mechanism in which the previous learning and experience of a learner acquired through formal, non-formal and informal evaluation against the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for a prerequisite prior qualification, a different type of higher education qualification or a specific module. The learning that meets the requirements research for purposes of granting the necessary status to be admitted to qualification, to articulate into another type of higher education qualification or to be awarded credit for or be exempted from a module in a qualification. An RPL evaluation may include assessment of knowledge, competencies and skills, on-the-job experience and life experience and should demonstrate an appropriate balance between theory and practical application.

RPL assessment methods-
The choice of method should be appropriate (fit-for-purpose) and accessible to the assessor as well as the learner with specific accommodations made for learners with learning difficulties and the language needs of the learner.

Where learners are found to be competent overall but display a 'gap' in their knowledge, a developmental learning opportunity/activity can be proposed by the assessor to enhance the chances that learners will succeed in their further studies. Based on the RPL assessment, learners may be required to follow an extended qualification or to complete certain modules before being allowed to register for the full academic qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Cognate Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling Credits.
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Submit a Masters Dissertation of approximately 100 pages on an appropriate topic.
    2. Conduct a literature study and review.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to do research design and methodology.
    4. Present findings, conclusions and recommendations of the dissertation.
    5. Ensure that the overall linguistic and technical presentation of the dissertation is up to academic, professional and occupational discourse requirements. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Delineate appropriate research objectives/aims/hypotheses.
  • Delimit the scope of the study as evident from the research objectives/aims/hypotheses.
  • Ensure that the focus of the study remains consistent with the aims and objectives of the research.
  • Extract and present an unambiguous title conveying the focus of the study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Express the relevance, contemporary nature and authority of the scientific sources and theories consulted.
  • Review critically and present the relevant literature in the field of study.
  • Draw conclusions, propose and motivate relevant interventions at an appropriate level.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Outline a research design that constitutes a logical progression from the research objectives, aims and the hypotheses.
  • Motivate the relevance of the research design.
  • Use a wide range of specialised skills to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in the demarcated field of study.
  • Explain the relevance and scope of the processes that are used to identify and collect the objects of the research, e.g. the data, documents, artefacts, specimens, compositions, etc.
  • Apply appropriate analytical techniques to meet the aims and objectives of the study / prove or disprove the hypotheses.
  • Accurately interpret and discuss the findings, substantiated by the results of the analysis.
  • Present the results in terms of the research objectives, aims and the hypotheses.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Make and present logical and relevant conclusions based on the research results.
  • Present the research findings and explain the contribution they could make to both scientific and practical contexts.
  • Make and present appropriate recommendations and proposals for future research.
  • Objectively consider the limitations and shortcomings of the study.
  • Operate independently and take responsibility for their work.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Ensure schematic division of dissertation into chapters and the table of contents.
  • Present the abstract.
  • Ensure consistent application of a particular referencing style.
  • Compile reference list or bibliography.
  • Ensure the inclusion of appropriate annexure and appendices, such as questionnaires, computer qualifications, and other research documents.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The outcome of this qualification constitutes a single advanced research project culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation. The research process goes through continuous assessment. A panel of duly appointed examiners, two external and one internal, conducts summative assessment through the examination of the dissertation produced. The learner must provide evidence of specialised and high-level research competence and theoretical knowledge and application in the field of study manifested in the dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    La Trobe University in Australia offers a Master of Commerce by research.
    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    As a Master's by research learner, one will undertake a supervised research project that culminates in the submission of a thesis for examination. Learning Outcomes:
  • Competence in the design and conduct of a research project that incorporates methodological skills appropriate to the discipline and a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines.
  • Provide a critical appraisal of relevant literature and available research, and understand the relationship of the investigations undertaken to the wider field of, and to draw out the contribution to knowledge made by these investigations.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the methodological techniques used in the research and any shortcomings associated with these technique.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate in a clear, concise and authoritative manner appropriate to the field of research.
    The two institutions are quite similar, except La Trobe refers to the outcome as a thesis while this prefers dissertation.

    RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia offers a Master's Research Degree (MRes).
    Qualification purpose: Learners will develop advanced skills in order to critically analyse information, synthesise knowledge, and communicate research findings effectively for a variety of career settings. This Master Degree may be undertaken in a project or thesis mode.
    Qualification outcomes: Learner's will be able to pursue an academic career in a university or be employed in senior leadership and management positions in government, non-government organisations and corporations. As a researcher, the learners' mastery of the discipline is evidenced through a substantial and rigorous research project and other contributions to their field of specific interest can make a real difference to society. This qualification relies heavily on research skills development at Honours level. RMIT puts more emphasis on intensive research training in all modes at Master's level, which in all likelihood equips learners for the task at hand.

    University of Sterling, United Kingdom offers a Master of Business and Management (M Res).
    Qualification purpose. The MRes Business and Management is a specialised Degree that develops the skills to conduct high-quality research into business, management, organisations and related areas. It provides a vital foundation for careers in conducting, evaluating and commissioning research within academic settings and for consultancies, development agencies and policy-making institutions.
    Qualification outcomes, This Master's prepares learners for undertaking a Doctorate either at the University of Stirling or at other leading universities in the UK and the world. Its multi-faceted approach equips graduates from a wide range of subject areas to undertake advanced research to the highest standards within business and management studies, as well as other social science disciplines. The emphasis is on producing researchers who are reflective and aware of the assumptions, strengths and limitations of their research; who are highly skilled in a multitude of management/organisational research techniques; and who are readily able to apply this knowledge in new and diverse domains. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master's qualification in a cognate field, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Commerce, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Administration, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Commerce, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Commerce in Accounting
  • Master of Commerce in Business Management
  • Master of Commerce in Economics
  • Master of Commerce in Statistics
  • Master of Commerce in Taxation 
    		•

    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. Nelson Mandela 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.