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 Science in Project Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
13854  Master of Science in Project Management 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Project Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Project Management is one of the fastest growing bodies of knowledge and its application in commerce and industry is equally seen. Indeed, the South African Government has decided to adopt a project management method of organisation and delivery in its Department of Public Works. It is also in the process of recognising it as a new profession.

As a result of the above there is great demand for education and training in the skills needed by existing, and would-be, project management practitioners. This programme is intended to satisfy this need at the academic level of Master of Science.

The first purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifiers with Masters level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in Project Management

The second purpose of this qualification is to demonstrate to qualifiers how the Governments National Development Objectives impact upon project environments and procurement, and how they can be integrated into project delivery.

The third purpose of this qualification is to produce graduates who will drive the body of knowledge further, through their research at this and as possible PhD level candidates. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The candidate must be a graduate of a four-year university first or Honours level degree. Alternatively have a three-year university or B.Tech degree with at least 10 years of work experience in a project environment.

In addition, persons who hold a Technikon National Diploma, Who have 5 years of appropriate experience and who are eligible for the (sister) Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management course and who achieve consistently good results throughout, may be admitted to courses leading to the qualification.

Senior certificate with Matriculation Exemption or Equivalent university admission qualification

First degree:
BSc or equivalent

Honours degree:
BSc (Hons)

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (e.g. Work or field experience (if Applicable)
An applicant of this programme must be capable of expressing themselves verbally, and in writing at a level that is acceptable in business, be numerate and able to read drawings and technical specifications and should poses demonstrable skills in terms of business administration, public administration or some aspects of commerce and industry. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
(a) Critical cross-field outcomes

Computer literate and able to communicate effectively, graphically, orally and in writing with specialists and the general public.

A comprehensive understanding and ability to conduct research assignments using appropriate methodology, analyse, interpret and derive information from data.

Understand the need to maintain high ethical standards and demonstrate professionalism;

(b) General outcomes

Understand the importance of customer and stakeholder satisfaction through scope definition and project delivery.

Ability to identify and manage risks;

Able to relate to National Development needs and objectives and how they may be achieved through project delivery;

(c) Specific Outcomes

Able to conceptualise and implement all of the processes involved in planning and implementing a project.

Able to asses the potential impact of the project on the environment and the environment on the project and understand the need to achieve harmony;

Understand the theories of motivation, negotiation, conflict resolution, team building and the importance of HR skills;

Understand systems theory and able to design and implement project control systems for all resource types and all project objectives.

Able to schedule for resource needs and to select suitable procurement systems. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
(a) Through group discussion, written assignments, plans and reports.
Production of a research report
By performance in discussions and reports

(b) Can the student prepare a project scope statement and understand the importance of customer satisfaction?
Can the student demonstrate this ability through assignments and examination?

Does the student understand these issues and the appropriate methodologies?

(c) Ability to demonstrate knowledge of each of the adjacent outcomes. This will be tested through assignments and examination for each module.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Each module requires the completion of assignments that are designed to combine several knowledge areas and require that the candidate draw upon theory and their own industrial practice and to compare them. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
This qualification provides credits for the related qualification(s):
PGDipl. in Project Management

Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific (please specify):
PhD

With two years of postgraduate experience for full membership of the profession of Project Management. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The University of Cape Town 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. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University. 

REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

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.