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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Community and Development Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
78354  Master of Social Science in Community and Development Studies 
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  People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  192  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 
Purpose:

The degree qualification provides advanced training in the field of study including techniques of research, data analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to Community and Development Studies. The degree will equip the candidate with the knowledge and the skills necessary either for employment in a community and development field or for further independent research toward the degree of PhD in Community and Development Studies, and Social Transformation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Access to the qualification:

The entry requirement for this qualification is a Bachelors Honours degree or its equivalent, in the discipline or a cognate discipline recognised by the Faculty. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
192 Credits for the whole qualification must be completed. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Successful students will be able to:
  • Show familiarity and deep understanding of contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in the social sciences.
  • Integrate insights drawn from a range of social scientific disciplines.
  • Apply a range of advanced research methods and statistical procedures to develop - related research problems.
  • Conducted advanced literature searches to inform reviews of specialised literature.
  • Prepare professional papers for peer review.
  • Critically appraise professional and policy reports in the field of development.
  • Collaborate in multi-disciplinary research.
  • Generate policy documents in particular development areas. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

    Assessment criteria are demonstrated fulfilment of the desired outcomes (above) met through successful completion of course-work modules (assessed through a range of methods including tests, assignments and formal examinations, in written and a supervised short research project demonstrating familiarity with appropriate research methods (assessed through a research report/dissertation).

    Integrated assessment:

    The research project, dissertation and written examinations serve collectively to fulfil the integrated assessment requirement. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Masters degree articulates with the PhD in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University has a system in place where assessment of all exit level assessment is externally moderated by appropriately qualified members of other universities or equivalent research institutions. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal and external assessors for the qualification will be selected on the basis of their recognised expertise in the modules being offered. The University assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.