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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112995  Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
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  Generic Management 
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 0821/24  2019-11-22  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Philosophy in Management Sciences is a research-based qualification. Against the background that a Master's qualification by dissertation aims at educating and training researchers to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced academic level (HEQSF 2013:32). The qualification equips learners with the knowledge required to produce a full dissertation in a prescribed format, on a specialist topic, in the field of business and management, and reports innovative new findings and recommendations.

Upon completion, the learner will be able to:
  • Carry out a research project and analyse the results critically.
  • Acquire specialist theoretical knowledge of business/management to enable engagement with and critique of current research and practice.
  • Participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant complex business/management problems or phenomena.
  • Convey their understanding about these to others.
  • Have a thorough understanding of the relevant management theories.
  • Prepare and conduct an independent self-study and research in an ethically responsible manner.
  • Communicate results to a range of audiences.
  • Demonstrate high-level management research capability.
  • Make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of management field.
  • Produce high-quality research work that satisfies rigorous peer review and merit publication.

    Learners are guided to develop focused competence in the chosen research topic; select and apply appropriate research methodologies and written communication skills to support the research process and findings. Develop the ability to reflect on research outcomes critically. Be able to reflect on research outcomes and results critically.

    Rationale:
    Several reputable sources including the OECD (2014:58), Erasmus and Breier (2009) Statistics South Africa (2014), Sheppard and Ntenga (2013), The International Institute for Management Development (2010), Kraak (2013), indicate challenges of inadequacy of high-level skills required in the knowledge economy in South Africa. A recent OECD Report of 2012 highlights skills shortages in the Free State Province, where there is a need for improved qualification designs with explicit consideration for regional needs. The learners' research activities need to inform local, provincial and national entrepreneurship policy formulation to improve on the country's entrepreneurship activity. This condition is the catalyst to local, regional and national development through eradication of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

    There is also a growing demand for Doctoral studies in business/management related field worldwide (University World News, 2014). Also, the Department of Business Support Studies receives over 200 applications from learners to pursue a Master of Philosophy studies in Management. With the introduction of several Postgraduate Diplomas in the field of management, this demand will even continue to grow. Therefore, the qualification is deemed sustainable.

    Learners holding this qualification are trained at an academic level for them to assume positions of leadership in research, teaching, business, and government or to proceed to a Doctor of Philosophy level.

    The qualification provides a seamless articulation to a cognate Doctor of Philosophy (Management Sciences). 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution guides the RPL process. A functional system for RPL is in place at the institution to use RPL as a mechanism to grant credits or gain access to the qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Cognate Postgraduate Diploma (with substantial research component), NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Cognate Bachelor Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Professional Bachelor in the Business, Management or related fields, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Management dissertation, 180 Credits linked with the area of specialisation in one of the following domains/fields:
  • Business Administration.
  • Business Management.
  • Entrepreneurship.
  • Project Management.
  • Large Enterprise Management.
  • Small Enterprise Management.
  • Marketing Management.
  • Human Capital Management.
  • Hospitality Business Management.
  • Tourism and Event Business Management.
  • Agricultural Business Management.
  • Engineering Business Management.
  • Public Management.
  • Accounting.
  • Internal Auditing.
  • Finance.
  • Fashion Business Management. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist theoretical knowledge of business/management to enable engagement with and critique of current research and practice.
    2. Participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant business/management problems (complexes) or phenomena (clusters), and to convey their understanding about these to others.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant management theories, prepare and conduct an independent self-study and research in an ethically responsible manner and communicate results to a range of audiences. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify the major management theories relevant to business/management research.
  • Critique management theories and their relation to finding practical solutions to businesses/management problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate mastery of research skills and the logic of scholarly argument and the art of public debate.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for theoretical, self-reflexive and critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think in terms of theory, as an instrument for understanding reality.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work systematically and independently in approaching and solving abstract and complex business/management problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present and defend their scholarly positions and publications in forums of substance.
  • Challenge scholarly positions and publications of others in conferences.
  • Identify and apply criteria of relevance and significance of management/business contexts of inquiry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Show broad knowledge of the theoretical, methodological, and the practical traditions relevant to a particular business/management problem (complex).
  • Develop present and defend a research proposal detailing a complex business/management problem or phenomenon, relevant applicable management theories and research methodologies for executing the research.
  • Execute the research by:
  • Critically analysing the relevant dimensions of a specific complex business/management problem or phenomenon identified in the research proposal.
  • Critically appraising accepted solutions to the relevant problems by identifying and evaluating the assumptions on which they rest.
  • Developing and applying, in a self-critical way, new/more adequate solutions to the identified business/management problem.
  • Report findings of the research in the appropriate scholarly format and submit for defence and examination.
  • Prepare and submit research articles suitable for publication in national and international business/management journals.
  • Prepare and produce conference papers to be read at national and international conferences.
  • Prepare and deliver presentations for relevant conferences.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with the academic, ethical and professional standards in the business/management discipline dealing with the relevant issues.
  • Identify, understand and apply ethical aspects of management research and ethical issues in the business/management field.
  • Critically contribute to the development of ethical standards for research within any organisation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners will receive supervision and guidance. Learners will perform a research project at the appropriate level.

    Formative assessment:
    Formative assessments take place monthly via the monitoring procedures for FRIC. The Monitoring of learning is via a monthly discussion between the Departmental Research Committee, supervisor and each learner, where there is a discussion of the following issues:
  • Objectives for the period under review.
  • Learner's self-assessment of the learning experience.
  • Supervisor's assessment of the learning experience.
  • Progress with the research project.
  • Head of Department's comments.
  • Learner's activity plan for the next month.
  • Matters to carry forward.
  • New activities planned.

    Summative assessment:
    The institution uses summative assessment to evaluates the learner's ability to:
  • Use and apply specific methodological skills in their critical review of current literature in the subject area.
  • Assess the formulation and execution of a research project.
    The learner will report on it and generate an integrated dissertation of research findings. At least two external examiners and the supervisor(s) will examine the dissertation.

    A learner will produce a research article for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as well as a conference paper to be read at a scientific conference.

    The learner will defend his/her dissertation in a research forum arranged by FRIC. The learner will make a presentation which includes:
  • The context of the study.
  • The methodological set up according to the study.
  • The results, conclusions and recommendations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to similar qualifications in South Africa and abroad. The comparability is to ensure that this qualification is similar in terms of the learning outcomes, competencies developed, and the standard of performance demanded of graduating learners.

    Internationally, this qualification is identical in name and has comparable content with the Master of Philosophy offered in the UK.

    The University of Manchester offers a Master of Philosophy in Business and Management.
    Entry requirements: Learners must hold a Bachelor's Degree with Honours (to UK standard) of First or Upper Second (2:1) Class. Consideration for admission is either Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree, or relevant and appropriate experience.

    Qualification description:
    A Masters level research degree obtained by successful examination of a thesis. The minimum period of study is one year.

    Aims:
  • The qualification will enable the learner to pursue research and scholarship and represent original work into a broader field of knowledge and investigation.
  • The Master of Philosophy is a one-year postgraduate research degree. Learners will undertake a substantial research project and may take some of the research training available to Doctor of Philosophy learners.

    Teaching and learning
    The Master of Philosophy qualification does not require learners to undertake any Research Training. However, learners may choose to attend courses from the Doctor of Philosophy Research Training Programme subject to availability.

    Swansea University offers a Master of Philosophy in Business Management.
    The qualification develops skills that are essential to a career in academia, business, or further Postgraduate or professional study with our Master of Science by Research Business Management. This qualification provides an understanding of contemporary trends and issues in Management and associated areas. It is offering flexibility through a wholly research-based mode of study.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Learners should ideally have a second-class lower undergraduate Degree.
  • Learners who do not hold an undergraduate qualification may be asked to demonstrate sufficient experience or expertise in their proposed field for research (RPL).

    The New Castle University offers a Business and Management Master of Philosophy:
  • This Business and Management Master of Philosophy qualification aims to develop rigorous scholars who can advance both academic knowledge and business practice.
  • The qualification is designed to equip learners with the skills necessary to succeed in a knowledge-intensive environment and to open greater depth to their professional and personal life.
  • Some of the disciplines are Human resource management, work and employment; Marketing, operations and systems, Operations, Strategy, organisations and society. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Management Sciences in Human Resource Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Management Sciences in Marketing Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Management Sciences in Tourism and Hospitality Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Business Administration, NQF, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Human Resources Management, NQF, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Management Sciences in Marketing Management, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Public Management, NQF, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    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.