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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 Public Governance |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 119523 | Master of Public Governance | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | ||||
| 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 | Public Administration | ||
| 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 0333/25 | 2025-07-10 | 2028-07-10 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2029-07-10 | 2032-07-10 | |||
| 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 Public Governance qualification is to train new competent, professional, and effective leaders and researchers who are independent thinkers and problem-solvers who can readily move between theory and practice in a substantially globalized society. Such qualified personnel are necessary to execute research projects that will in turn make the public and non-governmental sectors more accountable, transparent, and responsive to the geographically and ethnically diverse communities it serves. In addition, this qualification seeks to develop ethical and responsible researchers with an awareness of the utility of community participation whereby citizens inclusively become co-creators of research findings. Upon completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner will be able to: The qualification is structured to attract senior and mid-careerists as well as those new to public and not-for-profit organisational affairs, policy, administration, and management. The qualification prepares learners to incorporate research into organisational development geared toward continuous and informed performance improvement which is particularly central to service delivery by the public sector and is sometimes contemporarily delivered through public-private partnerships inclusive of the non-governmental and private sectors. This multi-sector environment requires researchers who can appropriately apply a variety of research methodologies. Rationale: The nature and role of the administrative state have changed in view of globalism, regionalism, urbanism, and ruralism. Public Governance encompasses multi-inter-trans-disciplinary components related to the public and non-governmental sectors across geographical scales and spheres of government and governance. The purpose for the Master of Public Governance is to foster a new cadre of researchers whose findings will help assess contemporary change and make empirically grounded governance and policy recommendations that should assist with the transformation of South Africa, southern Africa, and continental Africa. Although there is an increase in urbanism the world over, South Africa, the southern African region and the African continent must continue to address sustainable rural development where some of the poorest of the poor of our citizenry dwell. The qualification is required to provide a teaching and learning, research and community engagement environment fit for learners to explore public affairs, public administration, public management, public policy analysis, public and social entrepreneurship as well as sustainable development, human capital and human services development, community organisation and advocacy and other cross-cutting multi-disciplinary areas of Public Governance. The qualification is beneficial because it focuses on customizing research methodologies to address contemporary complexities of societal problems. This qualification is designed to shape socially- conscious researchers who are trained to empirically investigate and critically interrogate societal governance, management, administration, policy, and other multidisciplinary areas of Public Governance that have led to pressing and dynamic issues with local manifestation. Such issues are geographically located in urban and rural areas and mixed variations. Yet, this qualification is concerned with a global context so that research findings can contribute to the global pool of knowledge on Public Governance. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access towards the qualification. RPL for access: Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is Or Or Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.
Compulsory Module, Level 9, 192 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices, as well as advanced scholarship or research in Public Governance.
2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current processes of knowledge production, and to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the public practice. 3. Demonstrate the ability to design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information, to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in an area of specialisation to produce significant insights. 4. Demonstrate the ability to design, select and apply appropriate creative methods and techniques processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems. 5. Demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within Public Governance. 6. Demonstrate the ability make autonomous ethical decisions which affect knowledge production, or complex organisational or professional issues, and the ability to critically contribute to the development of ethical standards in Public Governance. 7. Demonstrate the ability to make interventions at an appropriate level within a system, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations within the system, and the ability to address the intended and unintended consequences of interventions. 8. Demonstrate the ability to use the resources of academic and professional or occupational discourses to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research or development in public governance and use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses to communicate with a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise. 9. Demonstrate the ability to develop learning strategies, which sustain independent learning and academic or professional development and can interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing learning. 10. Demonstrate the ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her own work, and, where appropriate, to account for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10: Integrated assessment: Integrated assessment includes a combination of formative and summative assessment. Formative assessment: Assessment of a Master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. All learning outcomes are assessed through formative assessment of work learners submit when writing the drafts of their research proposal, ethical clearance documents, dissertation chapters and ultimately full dissertations. All outcomes are linked to research competencies. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialization. Summative assessment: Examiners will ultimately assess if outcomes are achieved. Once any requirements of examiners are accomplished and approvals conferred by the School Academic Leader Research and College Dean of Research, the final dissertation becomes a summative assessment. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The South African qualification is comparable to similar qualifications from around the world regarding outcomes and assessment criteria, the depth and complexity involved in the study process and due regard to notional study time. To ensure international comparability, the level descriptors of Level 9 were compared against the standards and norms contained in the qualifications frameworks developed for countries around the world.
Country: United Kingdom Institution: University of Portsmouth Qualification Title: Master of Research in Public Administration Duration: The minimum of two semesters and maximum of six semesters for full-time learners, and a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of eight semesters for part-time learners, the qualification is offered as a full-time 12-months course and as a part-time 24- month course. There is a minimum duration of one year and a maximum of two years full-time (or part-time equivalent). Entry requirements: In addition, registrants are encouraged to take a Research Methodology module at master's level should the supervisor make such a recommendation. That module would be for non-credit-bearing purposes. Learners will be expected to hold at least an upper second-class honours degree in an appropriate subject awarded by a United Kingdom university or internationally recognised higher education institution or Recognised Prior Learning. The chief requirement is prior research experience in the form of an Honour's or coursework Master's degree, or relevant professional experience and training. Purpose/Rationale: A Master of Research (MRes) is an internationally recognised postgraduate research degree that involves undertaking a significant research project. This Master's in Public Administration is designed to turn ambitious public sector workers into managers and leaders within their field of public administration. Learners will gain the specialist skills, expertise, and insight to pursue higher-level public-sector roles, as well as lifelong transferable skills that they will be able to apply to complex issues, both systematically and creatively, throughout their careers. The qualification will enable learners to occupy new roles in public sector leadership and management or to aim for promotion in the current public sector career. Learners will be able to work with self-direction and originality and contribute to public administration in local, regional, or central government, or an organisation working in partnership with the Government. Qualification structure: The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules. Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits: Teaching and learning: Different teaching and learning approaches and philosophies underpin the curriculum. The issues and problems that give rise to the research warrant the respective approaches and philosophies. Supervisors, learner needs, and the nature of Public Governance research conducted ultimately determine the application of these approaches and philosophies. On all accounts, taken from an overarching perspective: Teaching includes: Assessment: Integrated assessment includes a combination of formative and summative assessment. All learning outcomes are assessed through formative assessment of work learners submit when writing the drafts of their research proposal, ethical clearance documents, dissertation chapters and ultimately full dissertations. All outcomes are linked to research competencies. This qualification requires learners to submit a concept note or research proposal outline at the time of application. Learners must attend regular sessions with their supervisors, follow guidance from supervisors, and submit progress reports as advised. Learners are further expected to attend research and writing workshops convened by the Discipline, the School of Management, IT and Governance or the College of Law and Management Studies and to participate in academic and practitioner-driven conferences. The degree of MPGov is awarded based on a thesis prepared under supervision that presents the results of original research. One-third of the time in research training and development and two-thirds of the time in the research project: The supervisor usually decides if the dissertation is ready to be examined. Experts independent of the supervisor who have the appropriate level of expertise and qualifications externally examine all final submissions. Two examiners are appointed to examine the dissertation: one internal to the University and one from another tertiary institution. Examiners will ultimately assess if outcomes are achieved. Each prepares a report, and the AL Research prepares a coordinating report based on the reports from the examiners. Learners and supervisors act as required in accordance with the examiners' reports. Once any requirements of examiners are accomplished and approvals conferred by the School Academic Leader Research and College Dean of Research, the final dissertation becomes a summative assessment. MRes Public Administration uses a combination of formative and summative assessments. For example, dissertation development and data collection processes are formatively assessed by the supervisor whereas the ethical clearance application is considered a summative assessment. Dissertations are first approved by the supervisor and then assessed by Subject External Examiners. The external examiner's present reports to Unit Assessment Boards Award External Examiners (who are usually also a Subject External Examiner). The Unit Assessment Boards Award External Examiners scrutinise and endorse the outcomes of assessment and ensure that the standard of the award is maintained at a level comparable with that of similar awards elsewhere in the United Kingdom. MRes dissertations are first approved by the supervisor and then assessed by independent experts applying accepted contemporary international standards. Learners are required to produce a dissertation of no more than 50,000 words that demonstrates their capacity for critical analysis and application of specialist knowledge. Similarities: Differences: At the University of Portsmouth, a learner chooses a course of study in any of the schools of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Master of Research (MRes) Public Administration qualification is housed within the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature yet fall under the faculty-wide degree of the MRes Humanities and Social Sciences. Internationally, Public Administration and its contemporary broader realm of Public Governance are housed in a variety of Departments, Schools, Faculties, and Colleges at a given university. it is just that the UP qualification grants separate credits (60 credits and 120 credits =180 Credits) whereas the SA qualification includes research preparation and development as part of the 192 credits in this research degree. Country: Australia. Institution: University of Tasmania Qualification: Master of Business Administration (International). Duration: Two years full time Entry Requirements. For entry into the MBA (International), learners must meet the following criteria: Or Or Qualification structure: The UT qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules. Compulsory Modules: Elective Modules: Similarities: For entry into the UT qualification, learners must meet the following criteria: Differences: The UT qualification consists of the compulsory and elective modules whereas the SA qualification consists of a full research compulsory module and no course work. Comparative analysis: At the University of Portsmouth, a learner chooses a course of study in any of the schools of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Master of Research (MRes) Public Administration qualification is housed within the School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature yet fall under the faculty-wide degree of the MRes Humanities and Social Sciences. Internationally, Public Administration and its contemporary broader realm of Public Governance are housed in a variety of Departments, Schools, Faculties, and Colleges at a given university. The MRes Public Administration exit award is similar to the Master of Public Governance (MPGov) degree as they both include research preparation and development; it is just that the former qualification grants separate credits whereas the latter includes research preparation and development as part of the 192 credits in this research degree. Simultaneously, the MPGov qualification includes learner participation in seminars and workshops as is the case with the MRes Public Administration qualification at the University of Portsmouth. The University of Tasmania is ranked among the top research-intensive universities in Australia. The strength and diversity of the University of Tasmania are evident in its ongoing research productivity and world-class performance across a breadth of disciplines. The MRes degree awarded by the University of Tasmania can be earned in any discipline and is comparable to the South African (SA) qualification as a full research degree with all credits being earned through the dissertation product. Similar to the SA qualification, the University of Tasmania produce research that aligns with challenges of global relevance across five major research themes identified by that university: These research themes are comparable to the flagship research areas offered by the South African qualification. Specifically, the theme of Creativity, Culture and Society, conquerable to Social Cohesion and nation-building is concerned with developing and refining creative ideas to improve social policy, industry innovation, community wellbeing and learning cultures. Robust and innovative research strategies are used to tackle society's wicked problems. The heart of Public Governance research is tackling society's wicked problems using novel research strategies and applying those strategies through multi- and transdisciplinary approaches. In addition, whilst the MRes degree expects a dissertation word count of 50,000, dissertations in the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance are expected to comprise between 40,000 and 60,000 words, another element of similarity. Country: Spain Institution: Universidad Complutense de Madrid Qualification Title: Master's in government and Public Administration Duration: Two semesters (one-year full-time) Total credits: 60 Entry Requirements: Be in possession of any of the following titles: Purpose/Rationale: Its purpose is the acquisition of advanced multidisciplinary training aimed at specialization in the analysis of organizations and public policies, and initiation of research in the same field of study. The qualification is also especially recommended for the public administration professional who, with different background training, wants to update or improve their knowledge and techniques of analysis and public management. Professional activities for which the degree qualifies: technician of public administrations, manager of organizations and manager of public administration, analyst of public policies, agent of local development, advisor, consultant, teacher, and researcher. Qualification structure: The Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) comprises the following compulsory and elective modules. Compulsory Modules: Master's Thesis (Government and Public Administration) Final Master's Project, 6.0 Credits. Elective Modules (Select any four modules from the following options): Similarities: Differences: |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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. |