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 Philosophy in Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116318  Master of Philosophy in Education 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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 05 - Education, Training and Development  Higher Education and Training 
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  2021-07-01  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 
Rationale:
To prepare researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of education generally including knowledge about the professional practice at an advanced level.

Purpose:
The degree provides advanced training in the field of study including techniques of research, data analysis and Scholarly presentation appropriate to the field of education. The degree will equip the learner with the knowledge and the skills necessary either for employment in a related field (including teaching and research positions) or for further independent research toward the degree of PhD. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Non-Honours learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an Honours degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Full dissertation.
  • Curriculum Studies.
  • History Education.
  • Applied Language and Literacy Studies.
  • Mathematics Education.
  • Educational Administration.
  • Planning and Social Policy.
  • Science Education.
  • Adult Education.
  • Higher Education Studies.
  • Education Technologies.
  • Primary Education. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
    2. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    3. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral/written presentation.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    5. Demonstrate mastery in depth of the theoretically sophisticated subject matter.
    6. Display appropriate proficiency in research methodology.
    7. Conduct independent research in a discipline (or inter-disciplinary field).
    8. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
    9. Challenge orthodoxies and redefine existing knowledge.
    10. While demonstrating awareness of the nature of knowledge in the field.
    11. Write a research proposal.
    12. Design a research project to answer educational questions.
    13. Apply a range of advanced research methods to research problems in education.
    14. Able to conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
    15. Familiar with contemporary theoretical and practical issues in the field of educational studies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Formulate and develop adequate research problem;
  • Familiarised with and integrate the relevant and specialised literature that informs the research question;
  • Apply relevant theoretical approaches and key research techniques at an advanced level;
  • Systematic and sustained discussion and argumentation and integration of findings;
  • Ability to address the normative issues that might attend the study;
  • Appreciate the methodological of the study;
  • Use the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is by means of a supervised dissertation not exceeding 50,000 words.

    The University has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The academic staff of the University uses this in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Masters qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. The standard is assured, inter alia, by a requirement for assessment by external examiners who hold a university academic position, and where at least one is based outside of South Africa. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Education, NQF, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education, 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 Cape Town 


    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.