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 Public Policy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81271  Master of Arts in Public Policy 
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  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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 
Public Policy Programme is an academic and vocational programme which aims to equip students with an understanding of the processes and structures through which policy development and implementation take place. The programme will also provide students with the skills required to conduct research which is policy directed. Such academic and vocational training is crucial in South Africa at present given the need for new policy formulation to address the multiplicity of social problems and developmental goals. The policy field is a growing one in South Africa in both the private and public sector, and job opportunities for students who have graduated from the public policy programme will be in demand in both of these sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Appropriate Honours degree. Entry is also possible through University of Natal's Rule 33 for postgraduate study. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the political processes involved in public policy
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stakeholders involved in the policy process
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of current policy concerns and outcomes, and their impact on social development
  • Identify policy related issues and evaluate their importance
  • Understand the social context in which public policies are constructed
  • Present arguments and perspectives both orally and in written form
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of most contemporary societies, and the causes of inequality
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the key theoretical debates and methodologies used in the public policy arena.
  • Demonstrate some ability to conduct primary research
  • Demonstrate an understanding of particular case studies in the field of public policy.
  • Demonstrate self-directed study
  • Summarise and evaluate substantial body of information
  • Engage with the concepts, philosophies and concerns of a range of disciplines in the human sciences
  • Work both individually and as a member of a group.
  • Make use of information technology, and the ability to make use of the Internet in conducting research
  • Compile a report/dissertation which indicates an ability to conduct independent research; illustrate originality and creativity; familiarity with the identified area of study.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of policy implementation in line with the goals of social development and reconstruction
  • Develop appropriate strategies and methods for policy related research
  • Market the skills, knowledge and values obtained in the programme to policy related bodies and institutions in both the public and private sector 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the general field of public policy.
  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of specific areas pertaining to public policy, particularly policy analysis, policy formation, and policy implementation.
  • Understand the interrelationships amongst various areas of the field of knowledge.
  • Analyse components / issues / factors / structures which underpin the study and application of public policy.
  • Grasp the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of public policy formation, analysis and implementation.
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current critical debates in the field of public policy.
  • Summarise, compare and evaluate a substantial body of knowledge.
  • Construct a sustained argument, formulate questions, and work toward solutions.
  • Command the conceptual discourse of the field of public policy.
  • Solve problems, both theoretical and applied pertaining to the analysis, formulation and implementation of public policy.
  • Have an appropriate understanding of the discipline concerned, in particular, sociology and political studies.
  • Contextualise the study of public policy within the social environment and the historical understanding.
  • Develop a clear understanding of the historical and present state and possible future of the disciplinary areas that constitute public policy.
  • Demonstrate a command of academic English at an appropriate level.
  • Understand diversity
  • Work individually
  • Work efficiently in groups
  • Present findings at an appropriate level, both orally and in writing.
  • Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols.


    Integrated Assessment

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all / most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Vertical - below: Recognised Honours degree
  • Vertical - above: PhD
  • Horizontal - Within the University: with the approval of the programme directors, coursework modules from other approved disciplines may be incorporated into this qualification and modules from this discipline may be incorporated into other approved qualifications.
  • Horizontal - Outside the University: subject to University recognition of qualifications and/or credits obtained at other institutions. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice. 

    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.