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 Arts in Public Relations Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97147  Master of Arts in Public Relations Management 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Relations 
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 
This qualifying learner can conduct independent research under minimal guidance in a chosen field and contribute to knowledge production in that field. The research problem, its justification, process and outcome is reported in a dissertation which complies with the generally accepted norms for research at that level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Access can be gained through RPL by learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Technology in Public Relations Level 7.
  • Honours Degree in Communication Science or Public Relations Management, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Do research in a related field in public relations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Identify a problem area:
  • Identify problems within the problem area.
  • Search the literature.
  • Formulate the research problem/research problem /research question and sub problems.
  • State the hypothesis/possible answer to question.
  • Define concepts.
  • Select a research strategy and research methodology (ies).
  • Decide on relevant data collection and analysis techniques.
  • Implement the data collection technique to collect data.
  • Analyse data and present results.
  • Interpret findings.
  • Draw conclusions and suggest recommendations.
  • Contribute to the body of knowledge and skills in a related field of public relations or communications.

    2. Describe extent or study clearly:
  • Outline a methodology appropriate to the study.
  • Provide evidence of extensive range of reading, including a review of the relevant literature.
  • State explicitly the links between the review and area of study, analyses objectively and critically supporting and/or opposing evidence, and draws together the different points emerging from the literary study.
  • Discusse points in depth and develops a clear line of argument to provide own interpretations which is put in the context of other interpretations.
  • Show awareness of understanding of assumptions underlying own interpretation.
  • Solutions/conclusions relate to the questions posed in the introduction, and are well founded on the evidence resultant from the research.
  • Organise the thesis in a logical structure.
  • Adhere to the institutions technical requirements for a dissertation.

    3. Write an article on the research for submission for publication in an accredited journal:
  • Deliver papers and lectures based on the research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    1. Formative Assessment:
    Continuous learning progress assessment.
    Performance assessments tasks on an integrated variety of knowledge, skills and values.

    Summative Assessment:
    A demonstration of mastery of theoretical/academic component of learning
    Or
    Formative Assessment:
    Continuous learning progress assessment.

    Summative Assessment:
    A dissertation externally examined and moderated. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Master's in Communication Science, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Doctor of Philosophy in Public Relations, Level 10.
    Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Science, 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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.