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 Arts in Politics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73961  Master of Arts in Politics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:
The learner acquires specialised competence in both Politics and Public Administration, with:
  • Research skills
  • Theoretical and intellectual knowledge
  • Problem solving
  • Analysis
  • Interpretation
  • Evaluation
  • Communication
  • Understanding the normative dimensions of politics. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Current competence in the fields of Politics and Public Administration that has been acquired by prior learning through applicable and relevant qualifications and experience will be assessed according to the regulations of the Faculty of Arts. Such competence may provide access to a Master's qualification in Politics and Governance. Status recognition on the basis of relevant prior learning will not entitle the learner to receive a formal qualification without following the required Master of Arts qualification in Politics and Governance at the institution.

    Entry requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Politics, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Studies, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Politics and International Relations, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Political Leadership, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. To evaluate and, where relevant apply specialized theoretical concepts and approaches to real world political situations.
    2. To demonstrates a specialized ability at problem identification and problem-solving by using and applying relevant theories in the fields of national and/or international politics.
    3. To analyse various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialised theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and foreign case studies and policy contexts.
    4. To identify relevant means of action in the field of politics.
    5. To plan and execute specialised research in the political field.
    6. T o use advanced information technology effectively.
    7. To collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in politics based on a relevant theoretical framework.
    8. To reflect on the governance of polities and explain what types of political and administrative transformation are possible.
    9. To communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the political field with all role players.
    10. To demonstrate a specialized analytical approach towards political communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within the communities.
    11. To assess the implications of government interventions in the political environment.
    12. To apply specialised learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Can the learner evaluate and, where relevant apply specialized theoretical concepts and approaches to real world political situations?
    2. Does the learner demonstrate a specialized ability at problem identification and problem-solving in the fields of national and/or international politics?
    3. Is the learner able to analyse various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialized theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and foreign case studies and policy contexts?
    4. Is the learner able to identify relevant means of action in the field of politics?
    5. Can the learner do specialised research in the field of politics?
    6. Can the learner used advanced information technology effectively?
    7. Is the learner able to collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in politics based on a relevant theoretical framework?
    8. Can the learner reflect on the governance of polities and explain what types of political and administrative transformation are responsible?
    9. Can the learner communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the political field with all role players?
    10. Does the learner demonstrate a specialized analytical approach towards political communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within the communities?
    11. Is the learner able to assess the implications of specific government interventions in the political environment?
    12. Is the learner able to apply specialized learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political context?

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment practices that will be implemented:
    For both the full dissertation and the mini-dissertation learners must present their research proposals for the mini-dissertation in seminar form to a full meeting of teachers in the Department. Learners also conduct their research and writing under close supervision so as to assess their progress on a continuous basis.

    Summative Assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Learners are subjected to a 3-hour written examination for each of the four papers of the structured Master Arts qualification. Mini-dissertations and full-length dissertations are also formally examined. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Political Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Political Studies, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Administration: Political Science: International Politics, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Administration: Political Science: International Politics: Research, 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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Johannesburg 


    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.