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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Governance and Political Transformation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111849  Master of Arts in Governance and Political Transformation 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0339/26  2026-04-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
9339  Master of Governance and Political Transformation  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  320  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to do scientific research in the different areas of Governance and Political Transformation. The qualification aims to educate and train researchers to contribute to the development of knowledge in governance and political transformation. Learners are given the opportunity to investigate original problems and issues through scientific research methodology and fill the gap in knowledge to improve good governance practices in government institutions and other social institutions. Contributions to the epistemology are necessary to bring about new knowledge in the domain of governance and political transformation. Learners reflect critically on theories of governance and political transformation and will also apply the theories to address a contentious issue in society. Learners can prove their ability to deal with complex issues and to analyse the different elements and relationship between the different elements. Learners will be able to critically appraise research, which has been done in the area of Governance and Political Transformation. They are given the opportunity to form their own judgement in using correct and scientific data and information. During a research seminar the learners are given the opportunity to communicate their preliminary conclusions and to specialise in an area of Governance and Research Methodology. Masters qualification learners must demonstrate their ability to work (research) autonomous and independent indicating their knowledge and understanding and skills. These research endeavours culminate in a extended mini-dissertation and the research will lead to possible peer reviewed articles.

Rationale:
The rationale of the qualification is to bring about the opportunity to do research within the domain of governance and political transformation. Governance is one of the areas in which there is a growing need to do research to address the issues and problems within the public and private sphere of life. Special focus falls on good governance practices with the emphasis on accountability, responsibility, transparency and the establishment of effective and efficient governance. The process of transformation and the correct planning of strategies to manage change are also important within this qualification. Learners have the opportunity to focus, analyse and interpret a specific problem regarding governance and political transformation. This can result in a contribution to the praxis of good governance and political transformation. Research in the domain of governance and political transformation further equips learners with the necessary skills in order to make a contribution to the process of governance in a changing society and to strengthen the service providers and improve good governance practices in South Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT), and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Forms of prior learning as equivalent to the prescribed minimum admission requirements may be granted. Especially, because the focus falls on governance and political transformation, the RPL process as alternative access to this qualification is important. Many learners are adult learners already following a particular career path in the public and private sector. Because of their experience, knowledge and possible limited qualifications they can, through the submission of a portfolio of evidence, be granted the opportunity to study further. The portfolio of evidence focuses on themes relevant to governance and political transformation. Learners must also complete an assignment on a relevant topic.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor Honour's Political Science, Public Administration and Management, History or Communication Science, Law or Education, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Governance and Political Transformation, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits:
  • Research Methodology, 52 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 128 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Articulate specialist knowledge in the area of governance and political transformation.
    2. Interrogate and evaluate exiting knowledge within the field of governance and political transformation.
    3. Complete a scientific investigation on complex occupational and theoretical problems regarding governance and political transformation.
    4. Conceptualise, integrate and implement methods of inquiry through research in order to address poor governance practices in government institutions.
    5. Contribute to sound improvement of the value and virtue of governance and transformation practices in government institutions (National, Provincial and Local).
    6. Produce significant insights in governance practices and management of transformation in the private and public sector.
    7. Contribute to the discourse of new ideas and scientific research in the area of governance and transformation and to be on the cutting edge of the latest research on governance and political transformation.
    8. Through independent and autonomous learning and research, contribute to the establishment of a value system of good governance practices and strategic implementation of political transformation.
    9. Apply the skills pertaining to critical analysis and scientific discourse.
    10. Judge the appropriateness of different research traditions, paradigms and survey research and prove their ability to undertake scientific research in the field. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Institutional assessment policy applies. The assessment approach is aligned with NQF Level 9 descriptors and takes place continuously throughout the year. The assessment approach refers to a research orientated approach where the focus falls on research methodology, the research proposal and the extended mini-dissertation. Learners must be able to apply the research methodology (theory) to the research proposal. The research proposal will be assessed (formative and summative) in order to determine whether the learner was able to apply the theory of research methodology (summative assessment) to a research topic. There are research seminars where learners present their research and take part in a discourse on the topic. Learners are guided by supervisors in the research process. The research extended dissertation is sent for external examination. Assessment methodology takes the form of assignments, exam equivalent assignments and the supervision and marking of the final mini-dissertation by suitably qualified internal markers and external moderators. A continuous assessment examination in the field of research methodology is also included. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.