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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 Computing |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 120765 | Master of Computing | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of Mpumalanga | ||||
| 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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences | Information Technology and Computer Sciences | ||
| 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 | EXCO 0815/23 | 2023-04-18 | 2026-04-18 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2027-04-18 | 2030-04-18 | |||
| 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 primary purpose of the Master of Computing is to provide learners with an opportunity to undertake independent research under supervision and contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. During the process of undertaking the research project, learners will gain experience in all aspects of the research process and develop a deep and current understanding of the theories, ideas, and practices in their area of specialisation. On the completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to: Rationale: Most industries rely on data and software programmes as computing impacts everything, from scientific research to developments in medicine and health, transport, banking, agriculture, and tourism as well as communication and computing is a fast-evolving discipline that is driven by research and development and that the need for highly qualified researchers is ever-present. The qualification will contribute to existing and new knowledge in Information Computer and Technology (ICT) management which could reduce the shortage of skills in the IT field and help develop sustainable retention strategies in South Africa. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic saw many new organizations joining the virtual world resulting in an enormous increase in the use of e-services. The fourth industrial revolution has also created a greater need for Information Technology (IT) professionals. Graduates from the qualification will contribute towards meeting the demand for highly skilled researchers in ICT and computing and contribute to the continued development of the discipline. The qualification will supply the industry with highly skilled staff with the ability to undertake original research and development in ICT and computing and to apply their knowledge and skills to address the pressing problems that face the nation. The qualification is intended for learners who completed an Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma and will be looking to develop their research abilities. Learners may enter the Master's directly from their undergraduate and Honours Degrees or Postgraduate Diplomas, but others will have spent time in the industry. Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to progress to doctoral studies and undertake further independent research and contribute to the generation of new knowledge and the production of the next generation of academics. Graduates with this qualification will find work in a wide range of careers including for governmental and non-governmental organizations, in the private sector, for themselves as entrepreneurs, as research scientists, or they may continue to doctoral studies with employment possibly in academia. The design of this qualification was informed by the curricula guidelines provided by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and other higher education institutions. The qualification is therefore aligned with international best practices. Learners will benefit through the development of advanced knowledge and skills in research and development and improved employment opportunities. Economic benefits will depend on the area in which research is undertaken but the cross-cutting nature of Information Communication Technology and its application should ensure that graduates and their future work will bring economic benefits to the country. The focus of research and development will be on addressing socio-economic problems in a range of areas and society will benefit directly from the research. |
| 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 advanced standing within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification. RPL for access: Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: Or Or Or Or Or Or Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Undertake independent research and report on this to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis, ability to defend findings and advanced insight into the chosen field of research.
2. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and an ability to engage critically with current research in a field of specialisation in the computational sciences. 3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the boundaries, interconnections, value, and knowledge creation systems of the chosen discipline/s within the computational sciences and an ability to critically evaluate these and select an appropriate research paradigm to use for the research project. 4. Demonstrate the ability to select, apply, and modify where necessary research methods including experimental design, data collection, data analysis and statistics to address a particular research question. 5. Within the system being studied, and based on the outcomes of the research, draw appropriate conclusions, propose interventions at a policy or management level that address the problem being researched, and fully discuss any possible negative consequences. 6. Act reflectively, ethically and with integrity and be accountable for own work, actions, decisions, and learning. 7. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and the health and welfare of others and with due consideration to cultural differences. 8. Demonstrate the ability to manage, collate, critically evaluate, and synthesise information from a range of sources relevant to the field of specialisation. 9. Communicate effectively and efficiently with both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language, academic discourse, and technology. Defend new ideas using logical argumentation that is supported by data. 10. Demonstrate the ability to work independently and incorporate feedback into one's work, taking full responsibility for allocated resources. |
| 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 The assessment is informed by the institution's assessment policy. Assessment is understood to be integral to effective teaching and learning and is integrated into a module from the module design stage. Assessment of learning will be both formative and summative. In formative assessment, learners will be provided with a range of assessment opportunities throughout the module and the feedback will be used by learners to improve their learning. In this developmental approach to assessment, assessment tasks are provided regularly and are closely aligned with the learning outcomes of a module; comprehensive feedback is provided to help learners learn; and opportunities are provided for learners to demonstrate that their learning has developed or progressed. Through this, learners are empowered in the assessment process and are assisted to monitor their learning. In summative assessment, the extent to which learners have achieved the outcomes will be assessed at the end of a module. There will be a formative assessment at the stage of research proposal writing and submission of a proposal, ethics application and approval, developing research chapters on the approved proposal, instrumentation and data collection, and verbal and written presentation of the thesis or logical argument. All learners will present a research seminar at least once each year, and this will be another opportunity for critique and feedback. Formative Assessment: Although the assessment of the qualification is mainly summative with all 180 credits based on the dissertation, formative assessment is embedded in the programme in the following manner. Summative Assessment: The final summative assessment is based on the dissertation. Assessment will be by two external examiners. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| Master's degrees in computing are offered in a range of different formats around the world with most including some compulsory coursework modules. The weighting of the coursework component varies from more than 50% in Masters by coursework and thesis to zero in a few of the Masters by research. Interestingly, most of the Master's by research include a few coursework modules, typically focussing on developing research skills. In some cases, these are credit-bearing and may or may not be compulsory for all learners. The comparisons provided below focus on three examples.
Country: Australia Institution: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Qualification Title: Master of Science in Computer Science. Duration: Two years full time Entry requirements: Or Exit Level Outcomes: Graduates of a Master of Science by research will have: Qualification structure: The qualification includes one compulsory module on research methods for 12 credits and 120 credits for the research project and dissertation. Compulsory Coursework Modules (Complete the following One (1) Course prior to the first milestone review (confirmation of candidature): Or And In consultation with the supervisory team, take One (1) of the following Courses during the candidature: And In consultation with the supervisory team, a learner may also opt to take up to 12 credit points of approved university research electives: And Thesis Courses, 120 Credits: The remaining allocation of credit points for each semester should be made up of the following Modules: Similarities: Differences: The RMIT qualification consists of compulsory research modules and thesis modules of 120 Credits whereas the SA qualification consists of the full research dissertation which has 180 Credits and no coursework modules. Country: United Kingdom Institution: The University of Worcester Qualification Title: Computing MPhil by Research Duration: Two years full-time. Entry Requirements: Or Purpose: The qualification aims to equip learners with the skills to design, research and write a research-based project to the standard expected at postgraduate level. The thesis may either be a record of original work or an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge and will provide evidence that the field has been thoroughly surveyed. Learners completing the qualification will have acquired a range of analytical and presentational skills appropriate to a wide range of professional activities and will be able to: Assessment: The assessment of the qualification is based on a two-stage process: Similarities: Differences: Country: United Kingdom Institution: Swansea University Qualification Title: The Master of Science by Research in Theoretical Computer Science NQF Level: Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) Level 7 Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time Entry Requirements: Applicants must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Purpose: The qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to conduct high-quality postgraduate research in a world-leading research environment, key skills needed to undertake advanced academic and non-academic research including qualitative and quantitative data analysis and advanced critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and independent judgement. The Master's is a highly respected qualification which can enable a future career in academia or a wider scope for employment in fields such as education, government, or the private sector. Exit Level Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the qualification, learners should be able to: Qualification Structure: The qualification comprises three key elements: Assessment: Learners for the Master's by Research in Theoretical Computer Science are examined in two parts. The first part is a thesis which is an original body of work representing the methods and results of the research project. The word limit is 40,000 for the main text. The word limit does not include appendices (if any), essential footnotes, introductory parts and statements or the bibliography and index. The second part is an oral examination (viva voce). Similarities: Conclusion: In the three examples provided, there is a similarity in the goals and the outcomes with the SA qualification. Differences include the inclusion of compulsory modules in research methods. As indicated earlier, the inclusion of research methods modules is necessary because the preceding degree does not include any original research, whilst this is not the case in South Africa. |
| 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. |
| 1. | University of Mpumalanga |
| 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. |