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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy: Citizenship Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90616  Master of Philosophy: Citizenship 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 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  245  Not Applicable  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 purpose of the qualification is to develop and strengthen learners' capabilities and knowledge as political scientists, and to enable academics to undertake advanced reflection and to develop more effective political and governance practices.

This qualification enables learners to acquire adequate research skills in Citizenship Studies. This requires attention to the following three important aspects:
  • A broadening and deepening of learner knowledge in Citizenship Studies, disciplines as specified. This is achieved through module work leading to detailed literature surveys.
  • The development of basic research skills.
  • The writing of a mini-thesis/dissertation on the basis of an accepted research proposal.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is intended to provide South Africa with skilled human capital in the public sector; more specifically, to increase the number of Postgraduates with a critical awareness of new forms of citizenship and democratic governance and with an orientation towards the social good. It encourages continuous research in ways of increasing the access of all people to public goods through innovative forms of citizenship and development practice, as well as new, more accountable and inclusive forms of governance.

    The qualification seeks to:
  • Assist all people (especially the poor and marginalised) in finding new ways to enhance democratic citizenship and governance practices, especially with regards to empowering themselves.
  • Extend and where required, create an extensive regional and international network through which researchers can collaborate to investigate new and emerging forms of democratic citizenship, governance and development practices.
  • Build important bridges of learning between developing and developed countries with regard to new and emerging forms of democratic citizenship, governance and development practices.

    The qualification therefore seeks to promote an in-depth investigation of citizenship, governance and development in research in order to capacitate the human capital in the public sector to improve service delivery to benefit and satisfy the needs of the South African people. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this qualification are able to read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature at NQF Level 8. It is assumed that they are able to communicate effectively using academic English in written and oral form. It is also assumed that they are able to manage their own study schedule effectively.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners who may have been performing duties that reflect competencies contained in this qualification at the workplace for many years without having received any formal qualification will be allowed to apply for RPL for access into the qualification. In addition, through RPL learners may apply for credits for certain modules.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners must have obtained a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree: Political Studies or equivalent. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises two modules and a mini-thesis/dissertation, all at NQF Level 9:
  • Political Economy of Development, 20 Credits.
  • Theories of Citizenship and Democracy, 120 Credits.
  • Mini-thesis/dissertation, 105 Credits.

    Totalling: 245 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Critically analyse the domestic and international political economic challenges confronting developing countries.
    2. Explain the structure of the global Political Economy and compare and contrast alternative models of development through a critical application of theories in the field of Political Economy.
    3. Analyse debates and issues in the global Political Economy and how they pertain to development.
    4. Locate empirical work in theoretical contexts, survey the theoretical and empirical literature relevant to the research topic, coherently conceptualise, design and structure a research project and make a contribution to a research field.
    5. Critically evaluate theories of citizenship, democracy and new forms of popular participatory institutions, including development projects and apply theories and concepts to selected case studies.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Appropriate political economy concepts, theories and approaches are understood.
  • A critical analysis of these concepts, theories and approaches is demonstrated.
  • Linkage between theoretical and practical political phenomena is displayed.
    > Range: The state, market, society and NGOs.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Models and theories of development in the field of (international) Political Economy are analysed and evaluated.
    > Range: Modernisation theory, dependency theory, free trade liberalism, globalisation theory, critical theories of development and economic nationalism.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Political Economic debates and issues of development are interpreted, analysed and applied e.g. financial crisis, international debt, economic diplomacy, economic hegemony and climate change.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A literature review is conducted.
  • Research methods and techniques are identified and used.
  • The research findings are interpreted and explained.
  • The thesis/dissertation is structured and written in a coherent, logical and academic manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The theories of citizenship, democracy and empowerment are evaluated.
  • New participatory institutions, forms of citizen participation and new forms of citizen action including development projects are analysed, interpreted and understood.
  • Case studies are interpreted, applied and utilised in the research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Both formative and summative forms of assessment will be used to determine competencies acquired through learning. Learners will complete a thesis/dissertation reporting on research that they have completed. The thesis/dissertation will be assessed by internal and external examiners appointed by the relevant University committee. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with the following international qualifications in content and in meeting the research prerequisites for the completion of a Master's Degree.

    The University of York in the United Kingdom offers a Master of Arts in Global and International Citizenship Education which includes global education, comparative education, international education, intercultural understanding and citizenship education. It will be of interest to those who see themselves as current or future teachers, researchers or policy makers.

    The University of London (Birkbeck College) in the United Kingdom offers a Master of Science in Citizenship Studies which aims to provide a high quality theory and practice-based Postgraduate qualification for those involved in or wishing to be involved in the interdisciplinary field of citizenship in the domains of theory, research, policy and practice. The qualification will appeal to those interested in developing and extending their knowledge and understanding of theories of and empirical research on citizenship and applying this in relation to policy and practice debates in the fields of nationality, immigration and education.

    Conclusion:
    This Master of Philosophy: Citizenship Studies compares favourably with those of the Universities of London and York, in that all require a research component in the form of a thesis/dissertation to be submitted in order to complete the qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualifications at NQF Level 9:
  • A Master of Administration: Political Studies.
  • A Master of Arts: Political Studies.
  • A Master of Philosophy: Political Studies.

    The Qualification articulates vertically with the following Doctoral qualifications at NQF Level 10:
  • A Doctor of Administration: Political Studies.
  • A Doctor of Literature: Political Studies.
  • A Doctor of Philosophy: Political Studies. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification will be moderated via a system of internal and external peer review and evaluation of all examinations. At least one internal examiner and at least two external examiners will be appointed in the various areas of focus. Examiners should have at least a PhD plus a minimum of 5 years research experience in the specific focus areas. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The moderation policy for registered assessors for the qualification and modules are governed by the institutional policy. Assessors must have a qualification at NQF level 10 and appropriate experience in the field. 

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