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: Informatics: Research

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
4835	Master of Commerce: Informatics: Research
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Information Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	200	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

A traditional Masters degree. This qualification is defined as a degree with a single subject of study (Informatics) aimed at equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills and values for an advanced position as consultant in a specific area of the information technology industry. The holder of this qualification has the skills to advise organisations in the application of such advanced information technology for the benefit of the organisation, individual workers and society at large. In addition, the degree prepares students for further doctoral studies in Informatics. This qualification and the demands of the field promote lifelong learning. The qualification meets the requirements of integrated assessment.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First degree: B Com (Informatics/Information Systems/ or equivalent)
Honours degree: (B Com (Honores) (Informatics/Information Systems or equivalent)
Other:
A prospective student is expected to have achieved an average of at least 65% in the Honores degree that precedes this degree. A high achievement in the Honours research paper is an additional recommendation. Furthermore, candidates are also expected to have spent a number of years (minimum 3 years) actively working in the information technology industry.

Additional preparatory work if the academic background of the student is not deemed satisfactory after an evaluation by the Head of Department.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

M Com (Informatics)

Learning outcomes:
A M Com (Informatics) graduate has knowledge of the philosophy of information and information systems, and extensive knowledge of a particular topic in the field of informatics. In addition, skills such as research methodologies are gained. Research ethics is a value instilled in the graduate.

Critical cross-field outcomes:
Problem solving and critical thinking of Informatics as a discipline
Knowledge of research methodologies applicable to the Informatics field
Research ability.
Analysing, organising and critically evaluating issues and problems (for research purposes) in the discipline of Informatics.
Interpreting research results within the context of the discipline, and within the context of the social responsibility of information systems professionals
Instilling a passion for lifelong learning and research for the changing information technology field

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Research competence and knowledge of the chosen field of study are assessed through the successful completion of a dissertation.

Integrated assessment:
Other:
Evaluation of a dissertation based on own research
A candidate may be required to orally defend the dissertation

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
M IT (Masters in Information Technology)
Other M Com degrees
M Sc (Computer Science)
M A with specialisation in Information Science and Multi-media
Ph D (Informatics)
Ph D (Information Technology)
D Com (Informatics)

Ph D (Informatics) serves as an entry point to the related qualification
Ph D (Information Technology) serves as an entry point to the related qualification
D Com (Informatics) serves as an entry point to the related qualification

M IT (Masters in Information Technology) provides credits for the related qualification
Other M Com degrees provides credits for the related qualification
M Sc (Computer Science) provides credits for the related qualification
M A with specialisation in Information Science and Multi-media provides credits for the related qualification

MODERATION OPTIONS

Level 1: Appropriately qualified external examiners from other universities (local and foreign), technikons and from the local information technology industry.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
D Com or Ph D (Informatics)
D Sc of Ph D (Computer Science)
Ph D (Information Technology)

Career experience required:
In all the above cases, substantial practical experience as an information systems practitioner is required

Other criteria:
In-depth knowledge of the South African information technology industry, as well as a knowledge of international academic standards at NQF level 7.

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 Pretoria