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 Science in Computer Science

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
6359	Master of Science in Computer Science
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
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
Reregistered		EXCO 0335/25	2024-06-30	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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

Research-oriented Masters degree. The objective is to deepen the candidates' mastery of the field, and to develop research skills.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Matriculation certificate
First Degree
Honours degree
Other:
A minimum pass mark of 65% for a B Sc (Hons) degree majoring in Computer Science from a South African university (or equivalent)

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

M Sc in Computer Science

Learning outcomes:
To deepen the candidate's mastery of the field and to develop research skills

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

A dissertation plus draft archival journal is required as output. The final mark awarded is the average of the marks of the various examiners.

Integrated assessment:
Simulations
Oral examinations
Other:
Written dissertation

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Related qualifications:
Ph D

Ph D serves as an entry point to the related qualification

MODERATION OPTIONS

1. Supervisor is required to be at Ph D level. Co-supervision is provided for where necessary.
2. Internal supervisors examine the final dissertation and assign a mark
3. At least one external examiner (if possible, outside of South Africa) is required to examine the dissertation and assign a mark.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Qualifications required:
At least a Ph D degree with specialisation in Computer Science

Career experience required:
University experience

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