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 Commerce in Development Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
21738  Master of Commerce in Development Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 Master of Commerce is a Postgraduate qualification that will:
  • Enable learners to develop specialised knowledge, discipline-specific skills and applied competence in Commerce and Industry that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful employment, and making a rewarding contribution to society.
  • Empower learner to solve commercial problems in a focused way to effectively manage and allocate resources, to communicate effectively, and to contribute to socio-economic transformation in a responsible and ethical manner.
  • Provide South Africa with significant numbers of commerce Postgraduates, particularly from disadvantaged communities, in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is strengthened and diversified. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Development Studies, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Display specialised scholastic and advanced Development and research skills in an Economic and Management Sciences Discipline.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse and solve Development and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
    3. Acquire a specialised understanding of how to manage Development resources and processes in a business context.
    4. Communicate effectively, in oral and written modes, and to articulate and promote own ideas and interests.
    5. Understand and contribute to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa ethically and responsibly. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcome:
  • Display specialised Development skills and advanced research skills in Economic and Management Sciences or related discipline.
  • Identify, analyse and solve Development and commercial problems in a systematic, critical and creative way.
  • Demonstrate a specialised understanding of how to manage Development resources and processes in a business context.
  • Articulate and promote ideas and interests through effective Communication in oral and written modes.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and contribution to the socio-economic challenges of developing South Africa ethically and responsibly.

    Integrated Assessment:
    institution has adopted a dual system of attaining a Master's i.e. full thesis or course-work with a research report/mini-thesis. With course work, several assessment events are administered throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example tests, essays and project reports). With a full research Master's, assessments are conducted by a supervisor, an internal examiner and an external supervisor. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Economics in Development Studies, NQF level 9.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. University of the Western Cape 


    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.