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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Human Settlement Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118137  Master of Human Settlement Development 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
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  2021-03-25  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 the Master of Human Settlement Development is to provide learners who want to move into postgraduate studies and from related disciplines who want to specialise in this field with the problem solving, innovation and research skills and practice to deal with and address the issues and demands related to Human Settlement Development.

Also, qualifying learners will be empowered with advanced skills and trans-disciplinary knowledge to tackle multi-faceted and multi-scalar challenges of human settlements worldwide. Key amongst these being knowledge for generating effective affordable housing and human settlements policies and identifying their critical success factors, designing appropriate housing delivery systems for specific national, provincial and local government contexts, developing and applying methodologies and theories of designing resource-efficient, socio-economic just and climate-resilient human settlements from scratch including retrofitting the existing townships, advising on or applying effective social facilitation, community engagement and participatory planning and design methods in human settlement development and management in the light of perpetual and sporadic, and at times violent, housing-related community protests.

Rationale:
The institution due to its geographic position is serving a province with a huge housing problem and with a need for knowledgeable, competent and innovative researchers addressing problems in the field of human settlement development. The availability of suitably qualified researchers is of cardinal importance to ensure high-level inputs towards the productivity and reliability of human settlement systems.

This qualification will not only address the current gap for Human Settlement Development learners wanting to move into postgraduate studies but also the need for learners from related fields such as Sociology, Management and Economics, to specialise in Human Settlement Development via Postgraduate studies.

The qualification provides a path for developing new knowledge in the field, which will also be a contribution to higher education. Learners from this qualification moving into doctoral studies can be developed as future supervisors within this field.

Learners' research outputs will focus on sustainability-oriented research for cities and settlements aimed at forging new paths to the solution of complex societal problems such as the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, poverty and inequality in the residential property market, urban fragmentation and exclusionary settlement planning patterns, access to basic services employing different research methods that promote co-creation of knowledge between the university, civil society organisations, industry and international partners.

Within the broader Sustainable Development Goal of sustainable cities and settlements research will seek to provide solutions for challenges of local government capacity:
  • To manage human settlement programmes and improve the quality of life of informal settlement dwellers, deficiencies in the prevailing housing policy, human settlement delivery system constraints, environmental degradation in settlements and promotion of a circular economy, the decongestion of densely-populated settlements.
  • To improve quality of life and curb the spread of communicable diseases and other maladies, uncovering barriers to uptake of innovative building, water, energy and sanitation technologies in low-income settlements; and
  • Promotion of indigenous knowledge systems for community-driven sustainable public housing programmes which aid in stimulating local economies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners who do not meet the direct admission requirements are required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification plus suitable experiential or work-based learning, which has taken the learner to an equivalent of the entry-level of the qualification specified above. Such learners may be considered for admission through RPL after assessment via a portfolio of evidence of the prior learning been done. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum by enrolling for preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission. This would be done according to institution RPL Policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Human Settlement Development, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A Relevant Postgraduate Diploma in the related field, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in a related cognate field, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Evaluate the global, continental, regional, national and local human settlement policy and service delivery environment.
    2. Select and critically examine theories that underpin housing and human settlement policies and residential markets in developing countries and globally.
    3. Examine the existing and proffer effective human settlement delivery and management systems utilising technical, managerial, legal, social, technological skills.
    4. Gain knowledge of and employ methods that are followed in other disciplines, sectors and nations in sustainable human settlement development.
    5. Develop and research in the field of human settlement development to enable responding to the challenges and demands related to human settlement development. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Evaluate the global, continental, regional, national and local human settlement policy and service delivery environment using the appropriate theory.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Examine the various theories that underpin housing and human settlement policies and residential markets in developing counties and globally.
  • Select and apply appropriate theory to a research topic.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Examine the existing and effective human settlement delivery and management systems utilising technical managerial, legal, social and technological skills.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify and apply suitable inter-disciplinary sustainable development methods to enable the formulation of locally sustainable development solutions for human settlement.
  • Identify and apply appropriate sustainable human settlement development approaches from other nations and sectors to the local human settlement development context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify, research and analyse results for a suitable research problem in the field of human settlement development using a scientific research process.
  • Execute a successful research project in the field of human settlement development.
  • Disseminate findings to a range of audiences in the field of human settlement development through conference papers and journal publications.
  • Report research results in a scientifically accepted format.
  • Adhere to the minimum criteria for a dissertation in human settlement development.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Competence in this qualification requires completion of a dissertation or thesis, the learner will be continuously evaluated on the submission of different completed assignments or sections of the whole thesis. Continuous supervision and evaluation by the supervisor/mentor, of submissions leading to the completion of a dissertation and fulfilment of the requirements for the degree. The evaluation of the thesis is formative and summative and synoptically evaluates all exit level outcomes. The thesis is summatively assessed by the research supervisor and examined by internal and external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared against the following international qualifications:
    Country: Belgium
    Institution: MSc in Human Settlement
    Qualification Title: Ku Leuven

    Purpose:
    The Master of Human Settlements provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of worldwide settlements in an era of rapid change. It seeks to expose the multi-faceted challenge of contemporary human settlements, from multi-disciplinary and multi-scalar perspectives. This qualification develops a critical and interpretative approach towards developing your position within the field.

    Admission Requirements:
    Admission decisions are based upon the evaluation of a complete application file:
  • Master of Architecture (obtained outside the Flemish Community).
  • Master of Engineering: Architecture.
  • Bachelor of Architecture (after 5 years of study).
  • A letter of motivation and, if possible, a portfolio demonstrating the applicant's sound professional intentions and relevant experience.
  • Proof of English proficiency.

    Qualification Outcome:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Theory and Practice of Urbanism since 1945.
  • Human Settlements in Development.
  • Studio Urban Fabrics.
  • Urban Studies.
  • Critical Review of Sustainable Development Policies and Planning.
  • Master's Thesis.
  • Written Thesis.
  • Master's Thesis: Studio Landscape Urbanism.

    Assessment Approach:
  • Compulsory courses together with a Masters Thesis.

    Similarities:
    The Ku Leuven qualification compares favourably with this qualification in terms of content and learner requirements. The difference lies in the delivery method.

    Country: Netherlands
    Institution: Radboud University
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Spatial planning - Cities, Water and Climate change

    Purpose:
    This specialisation offers a different understanding of planning and forms of practices. The qualification develops new ways of creating socially, environmentally and economically just places.
  • One-on-one contact with expert supervisors while pursuing a topic that is of personal interest.
  • Learners are trained to think outside given boxes by combining well-established core courses with electives providing state of the art specialist knowledge.
  • Develop smart and sustainable solutions for actual and future planning problems.

    Admission Requirements:
    To get admission to this qualification a learner must hold a completed Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies, Spatial Planning or Human Geography. Learners with an international qualification will need a completed Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Spatial Planning or Human Geography, proficiency in English and a background in research methodology.

    Outcomes:
    In this course, a broad perspective on the societal context of spatial and environmental issues is developed into an institutional approach. To put ideas into practice, learners will undertake group and individual work in afternoon sessions.

    Assessment approach:
  • Coursework modules together with a Masters Thesis.

    Similarities:
    The Radboud University qualification compares favourably with the proposed qualification in terms of content and learner requirements. The difference lies in the delivery method.

    Country: Netherlands
    Institution: Erasmus University - Rotterdam
    Qualification Title: MSc in Urban Management and Development

    Purpose:
    The cities of today are complex, continuously evolving and face challenges on multiple levels. To stay sustainable and competitive in this ever-changing urban environment, cities need to balance their economic, environmental and physical, and social challenges with forward-looking urban policies. Contemporary cities need trained and innovative urban managers with skills in action and strategic planning, policy analysis, research methods and negotiation, and communication to be able to manage the complex urban multidisciplinary environment.

    Admission requirements:
    At least a Bachelor's Degree from a recognised university in a field related to urban development.

    Qualification Outcome:
  • Urban theory and gaining from a land transaction.
  • Urban Governance Policy planning and public-private partnerships.
  • Local Government finance and investments.
  • Action planning workshop.
  • Urban strategies and planning.
  • Urban environment and climate change.

    Assessment approach:
  • Coursework blocks and Masters thesis.

    Similarities:
  • The Erasmus University - Rotterdam qualification compares favourably with this qualification in terms of content and learner requirements. The difference lies in the delivery method. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Town and Regional Planning, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Urban and Regional Planning, 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.
     
    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.