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 Nursing Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122734  Master of Nursing Science 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu 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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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 0626/24  2024-08-22  2027-08-22 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-08-22   2031-08-22  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
80188  Master of Nursing Science  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to train learners who can deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments using data and information at their disposal, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialists and non-specialist audiences; demonstrate independence, self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems; act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

The qualification further aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level and prepare graduates for advanced and specialized professional employment.
This qualification demands that candidates reflect critically on theory and its application in their research. They must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and design and appraise research to make sound decisions based on research results.

Upon completion of this qualification, the qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge of their field of interest or specialization.
  • Utilise principles of nursing research to outline the research process of their studies.
  • Apply the basic principles of academic writing of research.
  • Design and critically appraise research.

    Rationale:
    The demand for the qualification has increased, particularly, with the move of the South African nursing colleges to higher education and the need for readiness to implement the National Health Insurance. Nurse educators and practitioners are required to possess research knowledge and skills. As primary health care providers, nurses need to have the capacity to engage in knowledge generation and thus contribute to evidence-based practice and research utilization to address problems in the nursing education, practice, and administration contexts.

    The Master of Nursing Science currently offered is April 2023 and there is a need for its review. The Institution is the only university located in the deep rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, bordering KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho, whose education and health needs are provided in this part of the province. The qualification, therefore, attracts learners who want to pursue their academic career in Nursing from all these areas stated above. On completion, the learners of this qualification will be able to progress to doctoral qualifications. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    RPL for access:
    Guided by the institution's RPL policy and procedures, RPL will be applied for access to the Master of Nursing Science.
  • The Department of Nursing will assess and moderate the POE and recommend the candidate for admission to the qualification.
  • The faculty and departmental RPL procedures will also be applied:
  • Candidates who meet all the admission requirements but attained an average score less than 60%, must produce evidence of engagement in formal or non-formal research projects or communication of research results in the form of publication in an accredited journal.
    Alternatively, learners must attend the faculty non-credit bearing Research Methodology module and draft a peer-reviewed research proposal as a prerequisite.
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant Honours Degree at NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Relevant Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module, NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.
  • Research project, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply knowledge of their field of interest or specialization.
    2. Utilise principles of nursing research to outline the research process of their studies.
    3. Apply the basic principles of academic writing of research.
    4. Design and critically appraise research.
    5. Make sound judgments using data and information at their disposal.
    6. Conduct research based on legal and ethically sound research principles and methods. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Apply sound knowledge of the field of interest or specialization.
  • Identify relevant and researchable problems or topics in the respective fields.
  • Apply the basic principles of academic writing of research.
  • Illustrate the knowledge of systematic database search and critiquing of relevant literature to provide background to own research.
  • Illustrate the ability to write the literature review and referencing using the institution's preferred referencing style (Harvard), reference management system (EndNote) and similarity check system (Turnitin).
  • Select and motivate research designs appropriate to address research questions.
  • Make sound judgments using data and information at their disposal.
  • Conduct research based on legal and ethically sound research principles and methods.
  • Apply effective discussion of results and literature control to reach scientific conclusions.
  • Communicate clearly and disseminate the results or findings to specialist (subject, methodology) and non-specialist audiences in the format for publication in accredited journals.
  • Apply knowledge of and write scientifically sound and ethically acceptable research proposals and obtain ethical clearance before conducting research.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Formative Assessment:
    Learners receive continuous feedback from the supervisor and departmental staff (during a presentation of the proposal and results).
    Proposal approval by Research and Innovation Higher Degrees (RIHDC) and FHS Research Ethics Committees.
  • Presentation and approval of research results by RIHDC

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment involves internal and external examination of the dissertation.
    In addition, a master's degree learner is expected to prepare or publish at least one article.
    Each candidate has an internal examiner who is the supervisor, one internal moderator and two external examiners all of whom should hold a doctoral degree.

    Moderators and external assessors follow university-stipulated guidelines on the assessment of dissertations that emphasize proof of the candidate's acquaintance with the methods and techniques of research.

    To be able to graduate the candidate must have published one (1) research article. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Name of Institution: University Melbourne
    Name of qualification: Master of Nursing (MNSc) by research
    Duration: 2 years
    AQF level 9
    Credits: 200

    Entry requirements: Bachelor's degree in nursing
    Or
    Other Health Science equivalent of meritorious standing (normally Distinction average in the final year).

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) from the University of Melbourne is a professional master's degree that provides exceptional preparation for a nursing career. It is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (formerly the Nurses Board of Victoria).

    The Master of Nursing Science provides learners with a higher-level degree with enhanced learning outcomes while meeting the competencies identified by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council as necessary for practice as a registered nurse.

    Upon completion of the Master of Nursing Science graduates are expected to:
  • Integrate knowledge from a range of disciplines that contribute to health and disease management in the provision of nursing to people experiencing alterations in their health.
  • Perform nursing assessment and intervention within legal and ethical parameters and demonstrate accountability for their own practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically appraise research evidence relevant to common health problems and to translate this evidence into the development of nursing interventions to improve patient outcomes.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Indigenous Health and Nursing
  • Foundations of Nursing
  • Nursing Science 1
  • Nursing Assessment & Care
  • Clinical Inquiry & Nursing Research, comparable to the Research project

    Similarities:
  • The University Melbourne (UM) and the South African (SA) qualification accept learners who have completed a bachelor's degree in nursing.
  • The SA qualification aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level and prepare graduates for advanced and specialized professional employment.
  • Similarly, the UM qualification will develop learners to be able to critically appraise research evidence relevant to common health problems and to translate this evidence into the development of nursing interventions to improve patient outcomes.
  • Both qualifications will develop learners who will be able to perform nursing assessment and intervention as well as conduct research within legal and ethical parameters and demonstrate accountability for their own practice.
  • Both qualifications conduct research the SA module is a Research project compared to UM's Clinical Inquiry & Nursing Research.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification is offered over one year, whereas the UM qualification is offered over two years.
  • The MU qualification comprises 200 credit points, whereas the SA qualification comprises 180 credits.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Name of Institution: Middlesex University London
    Name of qualification: MSc Nursing Studies
    Duration: Two years

    Entry requirements:
  • Honours degree of 2:2 or above in nursing
  • Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of the UK and currently practising as a registered nurse.

    Purpose/Rationale
    The MSc Nursing Studies qualification is to develop a comprehensive and systematic body of expert knowledge and practical understanding within the learner's nursing discipline that has been influenced through rigorous inquiry and research, critical appraisal, interpretation, and application of evidence in complex, unfamiliar and unpredictable clinical environments.

    The qualification aims to:
  • Enable the learners to undertake an individualised pathway of post-graduate study through reflection on their level of practice, underlying knowledge and clinical experience to identify areas for professional and personal development and for the advancement of clinical and nursing practice.
  • Promote an informed, critical, and ethical attitude towards postgraduate and professional practice and demonstrate a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy in the context of their professional accountability.
  • Display mastery of their specialised area of knowledge and skills that support their ability to influence and/or lead practice service development and improvement.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Developing Research Capabilities.
  • Advanced Practitioner Inquiry
  • Work Based Project, comparable to Research Project

    Similarities:
  • The Middlesex University London (MUL) and the South African qualification accept learners who have completed a degree in nursing.
  • The MUL qualification develops a comprehensive and systematic body of expert knowledge and practical understanding within the learner's nursing discipline that has been influenced through rigorous inquiry and research.
  • The SA qualification also aims to train learners who can deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and further aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level.
  • Both qualifications further aim to develop learners' abilities to conduct research based on legal and ethically sound research principles, and methods and apply ethical attitude towards postgraduate and professional practice.
  • Both qualifications are research-based and share similar modules in research projects, work work-based research.

    Difference:
    The SA qualification is offered over one year, whereas the MUL qualification is offered over two years. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Health Sciences Education, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Nursing in Nursing Education, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Nursing, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Nursing Science, NQF Level 10

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Walter Sisulu 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.