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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Population Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86211  Master of Philosophy in Population Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Life 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
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 primary purpose of the qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, or prepare learners for advanced and specialised professional employment in the private and NGO sectors and enter government departments, especially the Department of Health and the Department of Welfare and Development, of course, Stats SA. A Master's Degree must have a significant research component.

The qualification may be earned in either of two ways:
  • By completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation,
    Or
  • By successfully completing a course work programme requiring a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence and a research project of at least 60 Credits, culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation.

    Qualifying learners must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgement using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

    Rationale:
    All government departments need demographic data and to employ personnel with the skills required to gather and interpret them. The qualification will strive to provide the academic expertise for suitably trained citizens to be adequately prepared to address these national needs.

    The qualification stresses the interdisciplinary nature of Population Studies and the inter-relationships between population, health, environment, development and a diversity of other areas including ageing and population sustainability.

    The qualification aims to provide qualifiers with specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the field of Population Studies in the areas of measurement and recovery of vital rates, fertility, mortality and also to work with migration and poverty data. Learners would be equipped with the techniques and procedures to understand and make use of the many applications of Population Studies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the institution's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. Furthermore, an application can be made in terms of rule A.2, the competency rule via Senate.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematical Statistics, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Coursework route:
    Compulsory Modules, 150 Credits:
  • Demography II, 20 Credits.
  • African Historical Demography II, 20 Credits.
  • Survey Method II, 20 Credits.
  • Mini-thesis, 90 Credits.

    Elective Module, 30 Credits (Choose one area of focus):
  • Anthropology, 30 Credits.
  • Computer Science, 30 Credits.
  • Economics, 30 Credits.
  • Geography, 30 Credits.
  • History, 30 Credits.
  • Information Systems, 30 Credits.
  • Management, 30 Credits.
  • Public Health, 30 Credits.
  • Sociology, 30 Credits.
  • Statistics, 30 Credits.
    Or
    Full research route:
  • Full Thesis or Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advance understanding and scholarship of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories related to the area of Population Studies.
    2. Acquire expertise in the techniques, procedures, instrumentation and its applications in the chosen area of Population Studies.
    3. Take account of, and act in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices and to seek guidance on ethical and professional issues as prescribed within the area of Population Studies.
    4. Analyse and critically evaluate literature relevant to the area of investigation.
    5. Select an appropriate research approach and topic, conduct research under supervision using a prescribed research method and submit a thesis for assessment.
    6. Collect data using a variety of analytical techniques and information technologies relevant to the area of Population Studies.
    7. Take full responsibility for managing their own work, especially in the write up of the thesis.
    8. Take full responsibility for decisions taken in the execution of their studies, taking into account the needs and demands placed on key equipment and facilities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Identify a specific/focused research problem.
  • Conduct and complete comprehensive, systematic research.
  • Critically evaluate the originally and validity of source material on the basis of historical validation techniques of internal and external criticism.
  • Select relevant information to solve the research problem in historical context.
  • Submit a well written logical and systematic thesis/ Mini thesis including exposition and findings.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Continuous and formal assessments form part of the qualification. Continuous assessment involves the writing of tests and assignments, doing presentations and group discussions in the taught modules. Formal assessment involves sitting for a final examination on each taught module at the end of the semester or year.

    The learners' knowledge in the area of research will be continuously evaluated and guided by the supervisor commencing with the submission of a proposal for a Master's research by the end of their first year. This will be further evaluated by a committee of the Faculty before submission to Senate Higher Degrees Committee. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to the following international institutions:

    Country: Spain.
    Institution: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.
    Qualification Title: Master in Land and Population Studies and culminates.

    The focus areas for this qualification are ageing, mortality and health, fertility and family planning, and population policies.

    Country: Australia.
    Institution: University of Umea.
    Qualification Title: A research Masters as well as a Coursework Masters.

    The institution offers both a research Masters as well as a coursework Masters. In the course work the modules prescribed are Population Studies and societal challenges, population analysis longitudinal population analysis and themes of population studies. Learners also have to do electives that are of an interdisciplinary population perspective.

    Country: Netherlands.
    Institution: University of Groningin.

    The institution offers a research as well as Coursework masters that deals with contemporary demographic topics and related societal issues.

    The following are prescribed modules; Population, Health, and Place, Working with Data in Population Research, Optional courses: Life Tables and Population Projections, Migration, Families, and Households, Advanced Statistical Analysis, Contemporary Population Issues and A Master's Thesis in Population Studies.

    The above compares well with the focus areas of the South African Master of Philosophy in Population studies. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Population Studies, 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 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 the Western Cape 


    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.