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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 Engineering in Civil Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96936  Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
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 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Electrical Infrastructure Construction 
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 
Purpose:
The qualification is undertaken by learners who complete a thesis on a topic of their choice, which has been approved by the institution. The thesis must make a distinct contribution to knowledge in civil engineering. Its contents may report the results of an original investigation or review, criticise some aspect of civil engineering knowledge, or present a civil engineering design or solution involving the application of new or known techniques to a civil engineering problem of significance. The qualifying learner will have the ability to collect and organise information in the selected field/area of research; apply research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly; and make a significant contribution by recommending improvements to existing Civil Engineering Science and Technology.

Rationale:
Engineering is vital for future economic development in South Africa as emphasised by the skills shortage experienced in the country. The technological integration of the modern society and economy continues to rapidly accelerate, permeating all areas, and reinforcing the importance of STEM-based education and applied innovation at all the institutions. The institution can no longer fulfil its mission to its learners, staff, industry, and nation without Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering, both for its own sake and to realise the full potential of a broad spectrum of its existing, ongoing research and education. Learners develop a range of skills, including independent thinking, project management, data analysis and critical thinking, as well as refined communication skills. Learners also learn how to develop hypotheses and design experiments to test them, and to analyse, write about and publish scientific data. Learners from this qualification are well equipped for careers in commercial engineering in their specialisms and most enjoy engineering-related careers ranging from consulting to research and development, both nationally and internationally. Others enter the spectrum of professions, which value a high ability in mathematical modelling, systems analysis and design. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A panel of experts review the learner's portfolio of evidence of prior learning and the outcome is communicated to the Registrar indicating whether the learner will be allowed to register for the qualification. If the outcome is negative, the learner may appeal against the outcome. The final decision rests with the Senate of the institution.

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Civil Engineering, NQF Level 8 (or an affiliated Engineering field).
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering, NQF Level 8 (or an affiliated Engineering field). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This is a research-based qualification at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Manage the stock and logistics of a retail business following current industry practices for ethics and corporate governance.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the field/area of investigation and apply research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Develop appropriate strategic stock and logistics plan, which will demonstrate knowledge of the logistics function for a business.
  • Plan effectively the stock and logistics of a retail business including effective stock and logistic objectives, policies, strategies, action plans and a logistics budget for a year.
  • Design an effective stock control system.
  • Compile a supplier specification policy to ensure the right supply of prescribed products at the required conditions.
  • Determine the best possible way of transporting products from the supplier to the business.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use the listed and cited literature of the literature survey, and the exposition of the research, reflect familiarity with relevant and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories in the chosen field.
  • Models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in the chosen field are analysed, explained, and justified correctly in oral presentations and the written record of research.
  • Literature surveys, experimentation, correlation, and/or causal analysis is justified fully and correctly in oral presentations and the written record of research.
  • Define and identify the research problem and develop a detailed research proposal.
  • The stated hypothesis directs the investigation. Logical interpretation of data reflects clear understanding of the relationship between facts in the study and the ability to evaluate contradictory information.
  • Use Information sources correctly and appropriately and include a range of media.
  • Apply information technology skills effectively in information searches, data-analyses, data presentation, and the production of the dissertation.
  • Apply the appropriate mathematical and statistical methods correctly to quantitative and qualitative data.
  • The inferences, interpretations and conclusions from measurements and statistical analyses are valid.
  • Apply language and numeracy skills effectively and correctly in clearly communicate the research problem, its investigation, outcome and recommendations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The program fosters the development of independent research skills, making it ideal preparation for those looking to undertake further research through a Doctor of Engineering program and/or pursue a career in research. There is a formal formative assessment of progress throughout the study for both full-time and part-time candidates, in accordance with the institution's rules. A panel of at least two external assessors does the final integrated assessment of the dissertation summatively. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Monash Australia - Masters of Engineering (Research). Similar in the fact that the qualification is also a purely research qualification.
  • Swinburne University of Technology - The Master of Engineering (Research) offers learners the opportunity to undertake supervised research in the related discipline of their choice. 
    		•

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

    Horizontally articulation:
  • Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Doctorate of Engineering in Civil Engineering, 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.
     
    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. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.