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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Information and Communication Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96944  Master of Information and Communication Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal 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:
This qualification aims to educate and train researchers who can perform independent research and contribute to the development of knowledge, for the advancement of society and the economy, at an advanced level in the field of Information and Communication Technology, through the development of a thesis.

Rationale:
This qualification is intended for qualifying learners who are familiar with and competent in research techniques. The qualified learner has also completed an IT research project. Learners achieving this qualification have the competence to conduct independent research in Information and Communication Technology, and contribute significantly to knowledge production through the understanding, application and evaluation of existing knowledge. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Panel expertise review learner's prior learning and outcome communicated to Registrar. If the outcome is not achieved learners may appeal RPL to faculty outcome which would be presented to the Senate. Please see attached link to VUT's RPL Policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A relevant Bachelor Honours, NQF 8, 120 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Full Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply research techniques in solving IT problems competently. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply research skills by producing a dissertation for an approved project in the field of Information Technology.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, in order to assess the situation correctly while doing applied IT research.
  • Communicate effectively using scientific, visual and linguistic skills.
  • Apply appropriate research methodology, and understanding.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment will be formatively and summative assessed by regular evaluation of progress by supervisor and final evaluation of the thesis by an external examiner and/or panel of selected evaluators. The theoretical aspects will be complemented by practical input, experience and expertise from industry. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally. A number of institutions offer a master's program consisting of coursework and research, while others offer a pure research qualification. This qualification is pure research. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Master, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Communication Technology, NQF 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. Vaal 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.