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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Consumer Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
19516	Master of Consumer Science
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 11 - Services		Consumer Services
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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

The purpose of the qualification is to provide students with a solid, in depth advanced theoretical knowledge in the fields of foods, clothing and textiles and housing.

To ensure that students have mastered their discipline in order to manage complex issues and draw up their own defendable viewpoint while finding workable solutions to problems and challenges

To ensure that students acquire training in research techniques and methodology at an advanced level and are able to communicate findings of their own research in a scientific manner

To provide students who have the ability to maintain high standards of academic work and to promote a work approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics

To promote the development of scientists who have sufficient technical competence and critical intellectual ability to ensure the future of economic activity based on scientific endeavour

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

Bachelor of Consumer Science (4 years)

B Consumer Sc Hons

Posgraduate Diploma in Consumer Science

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Generic? Critical cross-field outcomes:

1. To work independently and teach themselves from original source material.
2. To display creativity and responsibility in problem solving.
3. To demonstrate sensitivity to people across cultural barriers, and to the environment.
4. To organise and manage activities responsibly and effectively.
5. To use oral, visual and written skills to communicate effectively at all levels (this includes competence in computer technology and presentation).

General outcomes:

The Master of Consumer Science graduate will:

1. Have a comprehensive, in-depth, advanced theoretical knowledge of consumer science.
2. Have mastered the theory and its application to the field of study.
3. Possess well-developed research skills.
4. Have skills to critically evaluate literature and evidence, make value judgements and cope with controversies.
5. Understand the value and limitations of scientific, observations, data and knowledge.
6. Have competence in the application of a number of techniques to a scientific investigation in such a way that results obtained can be interpreted in a scientifically sound manner.
7. Have an appreciation of the importance of the scientific knowledge base to research and to be able to place the subject and the results of a research investigation in the context of previously acquired knowledge.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8a.
2. A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as assignments, exercises, seminars, written tasks, written and oral examinations (as appropriate) are used to demonstrate the generic outcomes as listed in Generic/ Critical Cross Field Outcome.
3. Activities such as assignments, essays, reports and discussions are monitored to assess sensitivity to the environment, and lack thereof corrected or debated.
4. Compliance with deadlines without sacrificing quality of work is used to show competence in organising and managing activities responsibly and effectively.
5. The presentation of seminars and project/research reports is supported by the use of appropriate computer technology for drawing graphs, statistical calculations and presentation of research findings.
6. All masters' students are required to produce a research report(s) that must demonstrate competence in generic outcomes, including the ability to carry out scientific research work.

A variety of assessment procedures will be used, such as:

General outcome

1. Using written tests and examinations (including open and closed book methods).
2. Using examinations and assignments and critical discussion groups.
3. Through the development of the research proposal, the execution of the research, the completion, presentation and discussion of a detailed research report.
4. Scientific article analysis exercises that are marked and assessed for the ability to understand and interpret scientific research papers and other articles.(scientific comprehension tests) Written essays and assignments designed to assess self-learning ability.
5. The evaluation and understanding of scientific observations, data and knowledge.
6. Assessment of the way in which knowledge has been acquired from major historical, well-documented, benchmark research and current experience from the research work of lecturing staff.
7. Marked essays, assignment reports and critical discussion groups.

Integrated assessment:

M programmes require a research thesis, which comprises 100% of the credits in the case of M by thesis or a thesis, which contributes at least 50% of the credits in an M by coursework. In the completion and presentation of their theses and critical discussions of issues students must demonstrate that they are able to integrate the competencies expected from a M graduate.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s).
PhD Consumer Science.

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 acts as first examiner for that module.

Second examiners are appointed for all modules.

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.

Additional information
At least one internal and one external examiner examine MSc in Consumer Science degrees by thesis. Examiners, selected on the grounds of specialist competence are proposed by the Department of Consumer Science, recommended by the Board of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and formally approved by the University Senate.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

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.	Stellenbosch University