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 Science in Geology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
6481  Master of Science in Geology 
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  Earth and Space 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
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 purpose of the qualification is to:
  • Provide the qualifier with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical research skills in the field of geology to solve multi-faceted geological problems and, in doing so, serve the short and long term social and economic needs of South Africa, the region and the world.
  • Train the qualifier in research methodology in the geological sciences.
  • Provide South Africa and the region with qualified research-orientated earth scientists to be able to maintain global competitiveness.
  • Create an attitude of and opportunities for lifelong learning. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Geology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Geology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Plan and execute advanced research.
  • Do rigorous qualitative and quantitative analysis of Earth materials, systems and processes to solve multi-disciplinary problems in geology.
  • Communicate relevant scientific information to scientific society.
  • Apply fundamental knowledge of the Earth to societal problems.
  • Examine and develop linkages between geoscience, the minerals industry, the environment and society.
  • Make critical contributions to the long-term stability of the economy of South Africa and the region. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Write a thesis showing ability to:
  • Identify critical problems in the relevant science.
  • Plan a research project to solve a problem.
  • Accumulate relevant data and information through literature surveys, experimentation and observations.
  • Assess new and existing information.
  • Put forward solutions that are tenable within the relevant scientific discipline.
  • Show applicability to the social and/or industrial system of the day.
  • Publish a paper in a national peer-reviewed scientific journal.

    Integrated assessment:
    Other:
  • Thesis. 
    		•

    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:
  • Cognate Master's Degree, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Geology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Geology, 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 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.