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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 Housing Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
119222  Master of Housing Development 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and 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 0333/25  2025-07-10  2028-07-10 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10   2032-07-10  

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
118967  Master of Housing  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to develop graduates who are highly skilled researchers, and able to conduct relevant and methodologically sound research that advances the development of knowledge in the field of housing. The background in housing studies at undergraduate and Honours levels will be enhanced by a honing of research skills developed within this qualification, thus shaping learners into holistic housing practitioners who can devise findings-based responses to complex housing and human settlements problems.

The qualification will target Honours graduates who wish to develop specialised knowledge and advanced research skills in the discipline of housing. Masters' graduates will be well placed to engage in leadership and decision-making positions in the field or to pursue an academic or research career, thus engaging in ongoing knowledge production and the education of future housing practitioners. Learners will acquire advanced skills in the housing field that can be used in the areas of Housing Policy and Finance, Housing Implementation, Theories that underpin the delivery of Housing, Sustainable Development, Developing research, and data analysis.

On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Apply advanced knowledge and develop deep insight into current research in the housing field.
  • Identify relevant research problems and critical understanding of research methodologies.
  • Practice as a housing expert and undertake research in the Housing discipline that would contribute to knowledge at an advanced level.
  • Evaluate and apply techniques and technologies to enable them to research such problems.
  • Produce and report on research that reflects independent thinking, advanced insight, originality, and critical analysis.
  • Defend findings.
  • Act ethically regarding knowledge production, as well as within a professional context.
  • Make interventions and address the intended and unintended consequences of such interventions.
  • Operate independently and take responsibility for their learning.

    Rationale:
    The need for highly knowledgeable and skilled housing practitioners to help address the myriad of developmental challenges in South Africa has been well established. Despite the provision of more than 4.3 million Rural Development Plan houses between 1994 and 2014, the backlog remains high at 2.3 million and about 14% of the population live in informal dwellings (Africacheck.org, 2014). Service delivery protests attest to community dissatisfaction with the provision of services, and it is estimated that there are four times more protests over housing than any other services (Msindo, undated). The qualification aims to produce housing practitioners who have a sound understanding of housing policy, a holistic perspective of housing issues including social, economic, environmental, cultural, and institutional perspectives, and skills in project management and evaluation. Prospective Master's learners will therefore have a solid foundation on which to base their further studies.

    The contribution of housing to the macroeconomy as well as the household economy is well established. The qualification aims to contribute to training housing specialists who will be conversant in different topical housing issues, and who appreciate the importance of the skills obtained in addressing the historical imbalances in housing delivery in the South African context while gaining from experiences within the international context. So too are the societal benefits of well-housed citizens to the stability of a country. The Master of Housing qualification will produce well-rounded, analytical, housing delivery-oriented graduates that will contribute to housing policy and practice in a way as to maximises these benefits.

    The qualification is critical in attracting much-needed new people into the sector at a relatively high level. As an interdisciplinary degree, it offers an opportunity to those with an interest in housing, but a background, including an honours degree, in other disciplines such as law, accounting, administration, sociology, politics, geography, planning, engineering, social work, or even religious studies to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to make a significant contribution within the housing sector. It also enables those who already have work experience in housing to reflect on their practice, refine and update their knowledge, analyse the situation, and make a stronger contribution to housing in the future. The qualification provides all candidates with a pathway into further studies at the doctoral level. It is at this level that an important analytical and intellectual contribution to the housing question can and must be made. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
  • Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    RPL for credit:
  • Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
  • Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Housing Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Human Settlements Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Housing, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Building Surveying, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Property Development and Management, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Built Environment (Architecture), National Qualifications Framework, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Built Environment in Urban and Regional Planning, National Qualifications Framework, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of the Built Environment in Construction, National Qualifications Framework, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9,180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and the ability to deal with complex issues and multiple sources of knowledge in the field of housing.
    2. Conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in housing to produce significant insights.
    3. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and select an appropriate research problem.
    4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of research methodologies, techniques, and technologies applicable to the selected area of study.
    5. Utilise a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, and implementing methods of inquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the discipline of housing.
    6. Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production, or complex organisational or professional issues, and be able to contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific context.
    7. Undertake independent research in the field of housing and report on this to reflect independent thinking, advanced insight, originality, critical analysis, and the ability to defend findings in the chosen field of research.
    8. Present research findings to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate media or means to disseminate findings.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to make interventions at an appropriate level within the system and the ability to address the intended and unintended consequences of interventions.
    10. Demonstrate the ability to develop his or her own learning strategies, which sustain independent learning and academic development; and can interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing learning.
    11. Demonstrate the ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for his or her own work and where appropriate, account for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Use specialist knowledge to identify topical and researchable issues.
  • Integrate specialist knowledge to present issues in housing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • nterrogate relevant literature of current research in housing.
  • Present integrated perspectives from different sources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Consider a range of knowledge production processes to select a research problem.
  • Delimit the research scope, define the research problem, and formulate clear research questions.
  • Apply appropriate conceptual and theoretical approaches to the research problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify an appropriate methodology to conduct the research
  • Demonstrate skill in the use of techniques and technologies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate skill in implementing the methodology to obtain data.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Apply ethics in data gathering, interpretation, and presentation of findings.
  • Use ethical principles in a professional context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Work independently in producing research that reflects independent thinking, advanced insight, originality, and critical analysis.
  • Presents a clear, compelling line of argument, which is coherent, logical, systematic, well-structured, and balanced.
  • Interpret and discusses findings competently.
  • Use data and illustrations effectively to support the claims made in the work.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Communicate findings effectively to a variety of audiences.
  • Use academic discourse appropriate at this level.
  • Apply consistent and appropriate referencing techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Use research findings to make interventions within the system.
  • Address intended and unintended consequences of interventions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Apply appropriate learning strategies throughout the study which lead to independence and development.
  • Interact with peers in a way that enhances learning.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Operate independently, initiate processes, and implement systems.
  • Apply good resource management and governance practices.

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
    Integrated Assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they can integrate concepts, ideas, and actions across this qualification to achieve competence that is grounded and coherent with the purpose of this qualification. Integrated assessment will show how already demonstrated competence in individual areas can be linked and applied for the achievement of a holistic outcome as described in the Exit Level Outcomes.

    Integrated Assessment will judge the quality of the observable performance, and the quality of the reasoning that lies behind it. Assessments tools will encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance.

    All the learning outcomes are assessed through the learner producing the research dissertation. In this way, the assessment is conducted in an integrated manner. The assessment strategy for this qualification is underpinned by integrated assessment strategies which are reflective and continuous and include formative and summative assessment methods.

    Formative integrated assessment will take place during seminar presentations, discussions, and tutorials during which learners are expected to participate in self-assessment, peer assessment, and assessment by members of the academic staff.

    The summative component will take the form of a research project, which has design and technical components. Learners will be required to formulate a research question, carry out a literature review, design an appropriate research strategy, present a research protocol, carry out the research, evaluate and interpret the results and present their findings as a scientific report. The assessment will thus integrate practical, theoretical, and reflective competence and will be examined as an integrated piece of work in an oral examination incorporating verbal, written, and visual submissions.

    The assessment is guided by the institution's policy 'Guidelines on the supervision of post-graduate degrees. The final product is submitted to two independent external examiners who cannot be the supervisor as stipulated in the policy. The two examiners' reports are reviewed by the Academic Leader for Research and Higher Degrees who compiles a coordinating report. The coordinating examination report together with the two examination reports are sent to the College Dean of Research for approval and, in the case of a successful examination outcome, recommendation of the award of the degree, subject to any conditions. The recommendation of the award of the degree, by the School's Academic Leader for Research and the Dean and Head of School, must be submitted to the College Dean for Research for ratification.

    In the case where one examiner either fails the work or recommends that the work be referred for revision, resubmission, and re-examination, the College Dean of Research is permitted either to refer the work back for reworking and re-examination by the examiner who failed the work/requested resubmission or by a new external examiner, or the College Dean of Research can send the work for arbitration. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Most housing qualifications at the Master's level are coursework masters. There are therefore very few international research-only Masters qualifications in Housing, as housing is usually embedded in other disciplines such as Architecture and Town Planning. For example, the Master of Philosophy (M Phil) qualifications are offered by many Universities in the United Kingdom (UK). In fact, while the Postgraduate brochures indicate that the MPhil degree is offered in several disciplines, it is difficult to determine if the Housing discipline is included as an option for full research studies. The University of Newcastle, United Kingdom's generic M Phil by research however does offer a housing option and is given as an example for international comparability below.

    Other UK universities' housing qualifications that are specifically designated in Housing Studies are offered as Master of Science (M.Sc.) or MPhil qualifications. The qualifications selected for comparison are both from the United Kingdom, the reason being that like the South African qualification, they too are offered following an Honours qualification. Many other countries do not offer Honours qualifications, making a comparison with their qualifications more difficult.

    The South African qualification has been compared with the following international offerings:

    Country: Scotland
    Institution: University of Stirling
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Housing Studies.
    Entrance requirements:
    A minimum of a second-class honour's degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in Housing.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification comprises six modules plus a dissertation totalling 180 credits Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11.

    The qualification covers all aspects of housing services, sustainable communities, governance and law, housing organisations, and health and wellbeing. Research-led teaching draws on specialist expertise in policy analysis, homelessness and housing rights, social theory, housing, and land market analysis.

    Assessment:
  • Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, group work, and a seminar presentation.
  • Each module has one or two assessments rather than the end of semester examinations.
  • Internships are assessed through a series of practice reports and a reflective practice diary.

    Work Integrated Learning (WIL):
    The qualification includes a module on reflective practice, preparation for professional practice, and attachment to a social landlord to facilitate workplace learning. These precede an internship of 50 days in length, arranged to suit both the employer and learner where possible, linked to the practical requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

    Similarities:
    Both qualifications have the same credits, entry requirements, scope of content, and assessment.

    Differences:
  • The University of Stirling offers both coursework and mini-dissertation while the South African qualification has a research by dissertation only and no coursework.
  • The University of Stirling qualification includes work-integrated learning while the South African qualification does not have WIL.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Newcastle
    Name of degree: Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
    Entrance requirements:
    Honours degree in a related discipline, with an upper second level pass
    Qualification structure:
    Independent research with supervision
    Curriculum:
    Various but in the field of housing, the topic must be related to housing and community, social housing, community development
    Assessment:
    Dissertation of 40 000-50 000 words.
    Work Integrated Learning:
    None

    Comparison:
    The South African qualification has several similarities and differences to the University of Newcastle's Master of Philosophy and the University of Stirling's Master of Science as follows:
  • Their entry requirements are an Honours degree; however, the MSc requires a preferred Honours degree in Housing while the MPhil and Master of Housing both require an Honours in Housing or related discipline.
  • The M Phil and Master of Housing both comprise independent research with supervision, while the MSc has course work with a dissertation.
  • Any housing topic for which expertise to supervise is available can be conducted in the M Phil and Master of Housing. Research in the MSc focuses on specific areas namely, policy analysis, homelessness and housing rights, social theory, housing, and land market analysis.
  • Assessment is based on a dissertation of 40 000 words in the case of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and 40 000 - 50 000 words in respect of the University of Newcastle. In the case of the MSc at the University of Stirling, six courses are assessed as well as a dissertation.
  • The Master of Housing and the M Phil have no work-integrated learning (WIL) as they are full research Masters qualifications, while the MSc fully integrates all of the academic and practice components of the professional qualification of the Chartered Institute of Housing. This includes a 10-week structured, assessed work experience internship. Thus, while the Master of Housing and the MPhil have a research thrust, the MSc has a work/practice emphasis.
  • The University of Newcastle and the South African institution, both advance best practice through actively promoting advanced scholarship through research and research-led design and practice in the field of housing. Both qualifications aim to advance critical inquiry and independent research. While the MSc in Housing Studies does this as well through a shorter dissertation, it further prepares learners specifically for professional recognition in housing practice, as the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing in the United Kingdom.

    Conclusion:
    Best practice has been identified from leading international institutions, ensuring that the curriculum and content are relevant and address the needs of both industry and prospective learners. The South African qualification is comparable to the above international qualifications in terms of content, purpose, rationale and learning outcomes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Housing Development and Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in the Built Environment, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of the Built Environment, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Housing, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning, 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.
     
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    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.