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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Social Sciences: Sociology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
50364  Master of Social Sciences: Sociology 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 
Purpose:

The Master's degree in Sociology is aimed at Honours graduates in Sociology and related fields who wish to pursue a higher degree exclusively by research.

The programme will enable the learner to acquire comprehensive skills in intellectually rigorous research at a high academic level in a specific area of study or problem within the purview of the discipline of sociology and to acquire detailed knowledge of that area or problem.

The purpose of this qualification is:
  • To increase the competency of individuals in rigorous sociological research.
  • To provide a high level of skills relevant to the economy and society in this country.
  • To provide higher marketability in the area of social research.
  • To enable the formation of a cadre of intellectuals in the country who can speak with confidence about their chosen area of expertise.
  • To enable the formation of professionals who can teach others competently about the discipline of Sociology and research within the discipline.

    Rationale:

    The proposed programme provides for the regional and national needs for qualified professionals in the field of Sociological research. It also provides for an opportunity for furthering qualifications for those people with a professional or personal interest in in-depth research of a sociological nature. It therefore appeals to those with a concern to deepen their knowledge acquired from their first degree as well as to those who are already in employment and who may wish to pursue a research degree, but who do not wish to opt for the level of detail required by a doctorate. The degree provides much needed capacity in the area of social research, which is badly needed in the country as a whole, and it contributes to the formation of a cadre force of intellectuals skilled in research.

    The Master's degree in Sociology is aimed at Honours graduates in Sociology and related fields who wish to pursue a higher degree exclusively by research.

    The programme will enable the learner to acquire comprehensive skills in intellectually rigorous research at a high academic level in a specific area of study or problem within the purview of the discipline of sociology and to acquire detailed knowledge of that area or problem. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for entry into this Master's degree in Sociology at level 8 should:
  • Have the information-gathering, critical analysis and presentation skills required at exit NQF level 7 (Honours level/4-year degree).
  • Be able to comprehend what they have learned and to communicate it reliably, accurately, and comprehensively in the required medium of instruction.
  • Be able to take responsibility for own learning and the progress of this learning, aided by a managed and structured learning environment.
  • Be able to evaluate their own performance.

    Recognition of prior learning:

    Formal prior learning is recognised.
    An honours (4 year) degree (NQF level 7) in Sociology or accredited learning in relevant domains.

    Non-formal/informal prior experiential learning:
    Previous relevant employment experience.

    Access to the qualification:
  • A Matriculation Exemption Certificate.
  • Any basic three-year university degree in Sociology.
  • BSocSci(Hons) or BA(Hons) specialising in Sociology or a related field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Learning components, number of credits allocated and NQF level:

    NQF Level 8
  • Fundamentals: None
  • Core (Research): 240
  • Electives: None 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate an informed knowledge of the critical core of the discipline of Sociology, and the theoretical and methodological grounding appropriate to the field of investigation.

    2. Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research in Sociology to address complex, abstract problems through independent research.[At this level, research need not necessarily by original or a contribution to the discipline; it may utilise a variety of approaches and could possible be descriptive, evaluative or problem solving depending of the field of investigation].

    3. Demonstrate the ability to construct meaningful and coherent sociological arguments.

    3. The ability to act within professional practice and/or senior managerial occupations where sociology is relevant. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Mastery of the knowledge and skills required is demonstrated by:
  • Reflects an in-depth exploration of the topic and the ability to contextualise, describe and explain the problems and processes intrinsic to the research in an appropriate manner.
  • Explains methodological considerations and procedures, and reflects the capacity of the student to manage and sustain a research process over a considerable period. It also shows familiarity with and control over chosen research methodologies.
  • Reflects knowledge and understanding of the particular field under investigation through critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of the theoretical assumptions of major scholarly discourses and to position one's own arguments therein.
  • Reflects effective communication skills and the ability to develop and maintain well substantiated and focussed logical arguments throughout.
  • Represents a trustworthy and valid evaluation of the academic and scientific meaning of findings.
  • Indicates that the candidate can accurately follow the conventions of academic writing and referencing in the discipline.

    Integrated assessment:

    Learning and assessment is integrated throughout this qualification. Feedback on the progress of the learner towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes is provided in the form of continuous formative assessment. Learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification is judged by means of summative assessment, which includes integrative assessment. The latter concerns an assessment of the learners' ability to integrate and apply the larger body of knowledge, attitudes and competences incorporated in the exit-level outcomes, as components of the qualification.

    A full dissertation based on research findings obtained from an independent research project in the field of Sociology is undertaken under supervision of a senior member of staff with the necessary expertise, and must be assessed by at least two external examiners appointed for their expertise on the topic of the dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Masters degrees by research in recognized Social Science disciplines are standard offerings at universities internationally. They form a core component of the work of a discipline at graduate level. As with the current DPhil offered by the Sociology Department, the MSocSci by research is fully comparable with any equivalent internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification provides for horizontal articulation to related Master's degrees in Sociology by coursework (i.e. MSoc Sci in the fields of Sociology, Industrial Sociology and Labour Studies, and Gender Studies).

    The qualification provides for vertical articulation to a DPhil in Sociology.

    The programme leading to the MSocSci (Sociology) may also, if applicable, qualify the candidate for admission to a related postgraduate programme offered by the School of Social Sciences, as well as related postgraduate programmes in the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, providing the candidate complies with admission requirements indicated by the relevant postgraduate programme. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Measures to ensure that assessment is fair, reliable and valid are in place according to a set of guidelines for the use of memoranda, internal second examiners and, at all exit levels, the use of external examiners. Provision is made for peer moderation and evaluation by other universities and/or tertiary educational institutions. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Registration of assessors:

    Qualifications required:

    Assessors for the programme leading to the MSocSci (Sociology) have to comply with the requirements set by the University for persons qualified to train learners in the field of Higher Education and Training. In general all assessors are required to have a qualification at least one degree higher than that for which the candidates are enrolled. Sufficient relevant teaching, research and practical experience in the field of political sciences are required.

    Career experience required:

    Career experience includes experience in sociology related fields of expertise, university experience, and general experience as a practitioner in a specific field as required by the outcomes of the programme. 

    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 


    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.