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 Engineering

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
13989	Master of Engineering
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology		Engineering and Related Design
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

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Engineering. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

To equip students with a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of phenomena pertinent to their chosen field of engineering.

To ensure mastery of the chosen field via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.

To do advanced and independent engineering analysis and design through rigorous training in engineering sciences and design methods.

To prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.

To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the future health and advancement of the engineering industry and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled workforce of the highest calibre.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: BEng or qualification approved by Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and or proof of competency may be required.

Additional requirements:

An average mark of 60 in the final year of the BEng is required for admission to MEng.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

The MEng graduate will have:

1. Comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study
2. Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialised field
3. Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject
4. An understanding of the constructed and provisional nature of knowledge
5. Well developed analysis and engineering design skills

GENERAL OUTCOMES

The MEng Graduate will be able to:

1. Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of methods and techniques appropriately

2. Critically evaluate relevant literature

3. Extrapolate implications beyond given data

4. Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues

5. Transform abstract data and concepts for a given purpose.

6. Review evidence supporting conclusions critically

7. Identify and define complex problems

8. Apply appropriate knowledge and skills for their solution.

9. Manipulate abstract systems models

10. Use well--developed design skills confidently

11. Challenge orthodox theory and suggest new approaches

12. Handle contradictions and make value judgements

13. Interact and engage in debate with a learning or professional group; produce detailed and coherent reports.

The MEng graduate will demonstrate

1. Mastery of theoretical sophisticated subject matter with a comprehensive knowledge of a field.

2. Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialised field

3. Capacity for independent study via the completion of a project or assignments

4. Understanding and application of appropriate academic and professional values

5. The ability to take calculated risks

6. Self-reflexivity and adaptability.

SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

The MEng graduate will demonstrate the ability to perform advanced engineering design.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

2. A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as simulations, demonstrations of implemented designs, laboratory assignments, written and oral examinations is used.

3. The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved.

4. From the assessment of samples generalising to a domain takes place in a judicious and planned way in order to ensure reliability.

5. The criterion used to assess outcomes is largely whether the information and conceptual content of work the student submits for marking is accurate and valid and demonstrate the indicated performances adequately.

6. The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced design assignment.

7. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8

The candidate must demonstrate competency by successfully completing at least one advanced design assignment

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

The candidate must demonstrate integration of learning by successfully completing an advanced design project.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualifications

PhD

This qualification provides credits for the related qualification.

PDE

MScEng

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

The academic staff member responsible for a prescribed module or assignment is appointed as first examiner

Second examiners are appointed for all modules and assignments

Second examiners serve as moderators for all modules and assignments.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the University.

External examiners must be in possession of at least an MEng or MScEng qualification or equivalent.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

This qualification includes the following specialisations:

Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering

Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering

Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering

Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

Master of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering

Master of Engineering in Mineral Processing

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.	Stellenbosch University