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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Library and Information Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96471  Master of Library and Information Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Information Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  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 qualification aims either to train learners to work as employees of the library, resource centre, information service sector or to practice as independent consultants/freelancers associated with other activity where the organisation and supply of information is the objective.

Rationale:
The Degree provides advanced training in the field of study including techniques of research, data analysis, and scholarly presentation appropriate to library and Information Science. The Degree will equip the candidate with enhanced knowledge and the skills of necessary either for employment and supply of information is the objective, or for further independent research towards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Library and Information Science. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (e.g. Work or field experience (if applicable) Non-Honours graduates who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree may be permitted to register for the degree.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An Honours Degree in Library and Information Science.
    Or
  • A similar qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate mastery to depth of a theoretically sophisticated subject matter;
    2. Proficiency in research methodology sufficient to proceed to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
    3. Master the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, collection and analysis of data, and effective written communication.
    4. Conduct independent research in a discipline (or interdisciplinary field).
    5. Communicate verbally and orally with professional audiences.
    6. Apply in-depth and specialised disciplinary knowledge and research skills to discipline based problems.
    7. Analyse and critique communications of an academic and popular nature.
    8. Appreciate the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline.
    9. Understand the processes whereby knowledge domains are constructed. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Outcome 1:
  • Apply a range of advanced research methods and procedures to research problems arising from the design and use of libraries, resource centres and information services.
  • Conduct advanced literature searches to inform reviews of specialised literature.
  • Prepare professional papers for peer review and act as a research consultant.
  • Write research and funding proposals.
  • Able to write professional reports for a variety of clients and stakeholders.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The achievement of these outcomes is assessed in the integrated assessment of the programme.

    The outcomes are assessed as follows:
  • The completion of professional term papers in all competence areas listed.
  • The completion of a research dissertation that included the components.

    The integration of skills learnt in the Magister Bibliothecologiae (MBibl) is assessed by means of a dissertation not exceeding 25 000 words. The dissertation must demonstrate competence in the following areas, all of which are assessed in the examination of the dissertation:
  • Precise research problem formulation.
  • Familiarity with and integration of the specialised literature that informs the research question.
  • Appropriate design and execution of the research.
  • If appropriate, use of suitable methods of measurement and data analyses.
  • Integration of findings.
  • Ability to address the ethical problems that might attend the research.
  • Appreciation of the methodological limitations of the study.
  • Use of the publication and style conventions of the discipline.

    The dissertation is subject to external examination. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    N/A 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical articulation:
  • A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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 Cape Town 


    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.