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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Communication 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3567  Master of Social Science in Communication 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  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 
The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills in the Social Sciences generally and in Communication particularly and provide opportunities for life long learning and personal intellectual growth and equip qualifiers with skills for a successful career in management, academia and communication research.

The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with highly qualified research graduates who will become leading professionals, academics and researchers in the ever-growing academic, communication and management professions in the public and private sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
B. A. or B. Sot. SC. (Honours)in Communication or equivalent. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Communication Research Problem Investigation
The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication) graduate is competent to

1.1. Identify, critically assess and understand a research problem and carry out a scientific and empirical investigation of the problem creatively and innovatively.

1.2. Recognise the import of and make use of research skills in the study and understanding of communication problems.

2. Application of fundamental and specialist knowledge
The M. Soc. Sc. (Communication) graduate is competent to

2.1 To demonstrate advanced knowledge of the theories, pertinent literature and related issues pertaining to the communication field generally and own area of specialization in particular as well as explain the import and impact of these in the Communication scientific community and society in general.

2.2 Apply social science theoretical and research knowledge and skills to the understanding and critique/review of communication research reports and journal publications and write own articles for publication in scientific journals and other publications.

2.3 Apply the acquired research skills in writing a research proposal, carrying out the research investigation and writing up the research report in line with internationally acceptable academic writing standards.

Professional and General Communication

The M. Sot. SC. (Communication) graduate is competent to

1. Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally, non-verbally and in writing, with or without communication and information technology, in interpersonal, group and mediated communication contexts.

2. Read and understand communication research reports of other scientists and communicate own research findings and academic papers in line with internationally acceptable academic writing standards.

Team and multi-disciplinary working

The M. Sot. SC. (Communication) graduate is competent to

1. Work effectively as an individual researcher, in research teams and networks and in complex multi-disciplinary research environments showing leadership and performing critical functions.

Lifelong Learning

The M. Sot. SC. (Communication)graduate understands

1. The requirements to maintain continued intellectual and research competence and to keep abreast of up-to-date communication literature and research and techniques; and is competent to
Engage in lifelong learning through well-developed learning skills.

Professional ethics and practice

The M. Sot. SC. (Communication)graduate is critically aware of

1. The need to act professionally and ethically and to take responsibility within own limits of competence; and is competent to

2. Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and experience. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated assessment:

The M. Soc. Sc. candidate demonstrates familiarity with and ability to critically review the literature, theories and body of knowledge relevant to the specific research topic and use these in the writing of thesis.

The M. Soc. Sc. candidate demonstrates the ability to design and carry out an empirical or scientific investigation of the research problem(s)under close supervision. This entails having a research problem/hypothesis that is clearly formulated and sufficiently elaborated on and use of appropriate methodology and methods for the investigation.

The M. Soc. Sc. candidate demonstrates the ability to process, analyse and synthesise research data and information and draw conclusions based on the research findings.

The M. Soc. Sc. candidate demonstrates the ability to present own ideas and arguments in a logical and scientifically acceptable style and language.

The M. Soc. Sc. candidate demonstrates the ability to write a research report and academically acceptable style, format and readability.

Integrated Assessment Methods

A completed Masters dissertation shall be submitted for examination. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Students with this qualification may enrol for the Ph. D. degree in Communication in this or any other university. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The supervisor plus at least one external examiner will examine the dissertation. The faculty HODS and Professors' committee will moderate and make a final recommendation to the university's SENEX for final decision. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
A supervisor appointed as an internal university examiner, and duly appointed external examiners, shall be assessors in line with the quality assurance and management system of this university. All examiners must have Ph. Ds., plus extensive teaching, publications and research experience. 

REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

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. University of Fort Hare 


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.