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 Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96519  Master of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 major purpose of the Master in Nursing is to:
This qualification provides a career path for Professional Nurses who want to progress in Nursing Education, Administration, Community Health and Clinical Context, and would add to their depth of knowledge and skill. Persons learning towards this qualification become expert in an area. The sector needs qualified specialists both to improve practice, and to train other Nurses. Achievement of this qualification will provide the learner with direct access to a Masters' Degree. In addition, it will prepare Scholars with expertise in selected substantive areas who will contribute nursing theory and practice through systematic enquiry and evidence based health care. Expand research base of Nursing theory and practice. Serve at the International, the nation, and health care issues in a scholarly manner.

Rationale:
The decline of learners entering the nursing profession has been a matter of great concern to the South African Nursing Council and to the Ministry of Health. The problem is discussed in the Human Resources Plan for Health, which the Minister of Health launched in April 2006 and emphasis is given to recruitment of more learners into Professional Nursing. The Masters' in Nursing Degree is seen as important in providing an extended learning pathway, and promoting the uptake of graduate and Postgraduate qualifications.

The National Plan for Higher Education indicates that research plays a key role in the production, advancement and dissemination of knowledge and the development of high-level human resources. Master in Nursing will also contribute to the promotion of Nursing Practice, Education and Research in this field. The qualification therefore fits very well in the vision and mission of the university. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The university policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is applied. The RPL Policy takes into account the relevant knowledge and skills gained in practice that meets the minimum requirements of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
  • Honours in Nursing Science or an undergraduate 4 years' professional Degree in Nursing and shall have passed with 60% overall.

    Advanced Diploma in Nursing field/discipline candidate shall not be admitted for the Degree except on the recommendation of the Head of the Department and the Dean. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Masters' by dissertation. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate ability to plan and write a research proposal.
    2. Demonstrate ability to communicate effective using oral, written and electronic medium.
    3. Ability to access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
    4. Demonstrate ability to develop, design and implement a research project. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Write a research proposal for implementation.
  • Describe the different research approach and designs as they apply to nursing practice.
  • Review appropriate literature on nursing related topics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Ability to present a scientific review article with current issues on nursing practice using oral, written and or poster communication skills.
  • Apply research skills during data collection.
  • Prepare and present papers in national and international conferences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Critical analysis of nursing research results related to quality patient care.
  • Write a scientific article for publication in an accredited journal.
  • Ability to retrieve information using different search engines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Implement a research project by collecting data.
  • Analyse data collected.
  • Write a research dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Continuous interaction between the student and the supervisors will determine the quality of dissertation that will be submitted for examination purpose.
  • The Degree is assessed based on the scientifically produced thesis of 120 pages.
  • Two internal examiners and 2 external examiners shall mark the dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable with the Masters' Programme in Nursing in the following universities:
  • Makerere University of Technology, Tanzania.
  • Virginia University, United States of America (USA).
  • Linnaeus University, Sweden. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The candidate will progress to Doctoral qualification. 

    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 Venda 


    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.