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 Social Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74128  Master of Social Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  128  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 
To achieve proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at all undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the general field of the social sciences.

The aim is to realise graduates who are equipped with generic skills and have acquired substantial knowledge in a range of disciplines, that will enable them not only to have an enhanced understanding of their society and the world, but will also prepare them to embark on a career and to create opportunities for themselves. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
At least a good second class pass (more than 60%) in obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours); or a substantial equivalent deemed adequate by the University of Natal. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • To gain a thorough understanding of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures and trends pertaining to the social sciences, especially in relation to South Africa and comparable societies.
  • To comprehend different qualitative and quantitative research methods, techniques and methodologies applicable to the social sciences.
  • To have achieved an acceptable level of proficiency in key basic and generic skills: information literacy, written and spoken English.
  • To have acquired a critical awareness and capacity for research so as to be able to investigate and understand issues, problems and trends in the social sciences. Independent and original research that can advance scholarship would be the ideal here.
  • To present research findings that meet appropriate academic and professional standards.
  • To become a scholar: to inculcate a passion for learning, and to appreciate the necessity for accuracy, honesty, fairness, generosity, and integrity.
  • To appreciate the virtues of being an independent learner, as well as the value in cooperating and collaborating with others.
  • To respond to the challenges of democracy and development in South Africa. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Knowledge of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures and trends in the realm of the social sciences.
  • Competence in presenting arguments, data analysis, reports, and other written and oral assignments.
  • The comprehension and application of research methods, techniques and methodologies.
  • The level of competence in carrying out an independent research project on a topic in the social sciences.


    Integrated Assessment
  • Seminars
  • Exercises (research methods, policy designs?)
  • Visual material
  • Oral presentation
  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Portfolios
  • Research project; dissertation; thesis
  • Examinations 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Entry and Exit
  • Exit points: Bachelor's degree; Postgraduate diploma; Honours degree; Masters degree; PhD
    Credits obtained for modules could readily be granted in other programmes; and qualifications acquired could be used as a means of entry to another programme. Entry to the programme at any level is possible, provided the requirements for admission have been met. In some instances, it will be possible for learners to be given the opportunity to attain the entry requirements should their prior qualifications not have enabled them to do that.

    Other Programmes:
    On the Pietermaritzburg campus, links at various levels with other programmes in:
  • General Studies (Arts)
  • Government, Business and Ethics
  • Heritage Studies
  • Information Studies
  • Policy and Development Studies
  • African Studies
  • Environment and Development
  • Nutrition
  • Food Security
  • Education
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Rural Community (Systems) Development 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal and external examining, which is supplemented by a review process of higher degrees carried out by the Faculty of Human Sciences. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined. 

    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: 
    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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.