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 Philosophy in Development Finance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
24384  Master of Philosophy in Development Finance 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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 
Rationale for the qualification

The programme is designed:
1. to provide a coherent programme of study at postgraduate level, which will enhance the analytical capacities and skills of persons working in the field of development finance, financial management and regulation.

2. To provide students with a thorough understanding of the special problems of finance in developing economies and with the skills to operate successfully and to make a meaningful contribution to policy formulation and implementation in this field.

3. to provide the necessary talent-pool for work in the vital area of development finance which is very relevant for sustainable development in Africa and equip leaders and managers in the private, public and voluntary sectors with contextualised specialised knowledge about development finance.

4.To our knowledge, this is the first program of its kind in Africa that would combine microfinance, African stock markets development, venture capital, corporate governance, public finance and among others. The program is purposely designed to meet the needs of development financiers in Africa in the 21st Century. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
An appropriate four-year first Bachelor's degree, or an Honours degree.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):
See above 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
After completing this programme, students of the MPhil (Development Finance) will:

1. Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of development finance concepts.

2. Have the ability to apply this knowledge effectively within the public, private and NGOs sectors.

3. Be able to demonstrate the ability to identify problems through critical thinking.

4. Be able to demonstrate a commitment towards improving quality of life in the area of development finance in developing countries.

5. Be able to conduct research at the advanced level in development finance.

A range of assessment methods will be used reflecting existing best practice. In addition to written examinations, students will be evaluated on the basis of coursework assignments, which, where possible, will be related to their work and other experiences. Case studies, individual and group assignments and oral presentations will also be included.

Participants must also complete a 20,000-25 000 word dissertation on a topic of their choice approved by the Programme Directors before the 12 month (for full-time students) or before the 24th month (for part-time/distance learning students). Deadline for completion of final dissertation will not be extended except under special circumstances. All written and oral presentations will be expected to be of an acceptable academic standard. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated Assessment:

The qualified learner must:

a. Achieve a minimum of 50% in all components individually and must satisfactorily complete all written assignments, essays, exams, group and individual assignments and thesis.

b. Demonstrate ability to successfully integrate all theoretical and practical components in all assignments. This will be measured by the assessment marks scored by students mentioned in (a) above. 

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
The Africa Centre for Investment Analysis (ACIA), which will run the program, has been operating since 1998 as a research and training Centre of the University of Stellenbosch Graduate School of Business. The Centre is part of the Business School. The Business School has been providing postgraduate qualifications since 1964.

The School is among the four top Schools in South Africa and accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The School is the first and one of only two business schools in Africa that has been accredited by this international organisation and thus satisfies their extremely high standards in management education and expertise.

Experiences:
For the last three years, the Centre has been offering short courses in advanced and development finance. Courses offered include microfinance, small business development, African country risk analysis, quantitative analysis, venture capital, portfolio management, fixed interest securities, international finance. Courses are presented at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The Centre has also undertaken several major projects. The most current being the Review of Tax Holiday Scheme for DTI and Department of Finance and Review of the South African government's small business strategy for Ford Foundation.

The University of Stellenbosch subscribes to an extensive collection of journals in finance. The Business School alone edits four journals These are, the African Finance Journal, Investment Analyst Journal, SEE, and South African Journal of Business Management. Both the University of Stellenbosch and the Graduate School have excellent libraries with comprehensive electronic and computing network resources. Both libraries are comparable internationally. A learning resource centre and computer laboratory equipped with the latest technology is available on campus.A similar post-graduate degree (MPhil in Futures Studies) has been running since 1998. Approximately 20 students have graduated thus far. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
On a horizontal level the degree interacts with the University of Stellenbosch Business School's MBA, which places more of an emphasis on management skills in general, as well as other MBA programmes in finance, economics and accounting. As the admission requirements are an appropriate Bachelors degree in business, finance, economics or accounting, a vertical relationship exists with all the relevant undergraduate degrees. On completion of the MPhil, students will be able to continue with a PhD if they wish to do so. 

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. 

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. Stellenbosch 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.