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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Information and Communications Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96833  Master of Information and Communications Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
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  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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 purpose of the Master of Information and Communications Technology Degree is to equip its learners with knowledge for conducting IT-based research.
Upon completion, qualifying learners will be poised to undertake either independently or collaboratively complex IT research such as that required in a PhD. Learners will have the ability to disseminate the findings of their research through publications.
Qualifying learners will occupy critical roles in research and development ambits in academic, government and private sectors both locally and internationally. Their work will contribute towards the advancement of IT which is a crucial enabler for economic growth.

Rationale:
The institution strives to maintain a teaching and learning environment that values and supports the university community, promote excellence in learning and teaching, technology transfer and applied research and foster engagement that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship through collaboration and partnership. This qualification serves the institution's mission statements via sustained high-quality research and collaboration with stakeholders to provide futuristic ICT solutions for industry and society. This qualification seeks to nurture a culture of research and technology transfer and engagement with key stakeholders to provide relevant career-focused education.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the fastest evolving disciplines in academia and in industry. The discipline demands innovation in its various ambits to satisfy societies and industries, growing dependency on technology. Recent developments in the ambits of ICT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science, computer vision and machine learning have increased as a response to these demands. Developing economies stand to benefit from innovative application of these ICTs. However, reports like the DHET Skills supply and demand report of 2016 reveal a dangerous shortage of skills and expertise in ICT. These reports further stress the importance of developing these critical skills to enable sustainable economic development and advance the economic area of Science and Technology through high quality applied research. This qualification is a response to this call.

Global economic development is mainly dependent on advancing specialised areas of ICT by research collaboration and quality research output. Master of Information and Communications Technology graduates would have developed skills to carry out quality research in dedicated areas within ICT. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution's RPL policy allows learners to gain entry into the Master's qualification. The institution's RPL policy aligns itself with the National RPL policy. The institution's policy provides for the recognition of skills and knowledge gained from qualifications and work experience. To apply, a learner needs to develop a portfolio of evidence which can include a retrospective of industry experience, professional certifications and recent publications relevant to the area of IT. The panel of academics evaluates this portfolio assembled by and including the Head of Department. Should the panel be satisfied that the evidence presented in the portfolio collectively equates to the learning outcomes for an Honours Degree the candidate can be granted advanced standing and deemed eligible to apply for the Master's qualification. However, the qualification cannot be achieved solely via the RPL route.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules,180 Credits:
  • Research Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Independently undertake research in ICT.
    2. Apply fundamental research concepts to conduct a complex research undertaking.
    3. Contribute knowledge to an area of ICT.
    4. Disseminate produced knowledge to the relevant ICT community. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Competently manage the research project under the direction of the supervisor or co-supervisor.
  • Produce a quality research proposal by institutional requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the current state of research and practice in the area of study.
  • Effectively apply appropriate research methodologies.
  • Collect, analyse and critically evaluate research data.
  • Produce reliable results at the end of the research.
  • Demonstrate coherent and concise academic writing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Develop quality publications.
  • Effectively demonstrate specialist knowledge in an area of ICT.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Systemically develop a concise and coherent research thesis that complies with the desired level of achievement.
  • Present results via quality scientific writing and presentation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The external examiner assess completed Master's thesis. The institution conducts examination of the thesis by the institution's rules. The learner informs the Faculty Office in writing of the intention to submit their thesis for examination. Examiners are recommended by the Supervisor and the Head of Department and approved by the Faculty Research Committee. Examiners are from outside the institution, and the Department maintains a database of examiners. The Faculty Officer then informs the examiners who can accept or reject the invitation and sends the thesis for examination. Results of the examination/thesis are returned to Faculty Office and ratified first at Faculty Research Committee then at the institution Higher Degree Committee. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparison exercise was carried out. The following international universities offer Master of Information and Communications Technology Degree:

    Western Sydney University (AUS), University of Wollongong (AUS), University of Agder, (Norway) and University of Denver (US). Each of the Masters programmes offered by these Universities compare favourably with this qualification in the following ways: their purpose is to develop research skills relevant to conduct high-quality research in ICT; the qualifications are full-time research and learners are required to create a dissertation; faculty appointed mentors guide Masters learners, and qualifications duration is typically two years. The research is comparable at an international level.

    The University of Zimbabwe offers a Masters Degree in Computer Science, Mahatma Gandhi University Rwanda provides a Masters of Science in Information Technology, Intel College (Kenya) offers MSc in Information Technology Management and Botho University (Botswana) offers MSc in Computer System Management. These Masters qualifications comprise core and elective modules, have an average duration of 2 years and set out to achieve similar learning outcomes. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Administration and Information Management, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology, 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.