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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97389  Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Engineering and Related Design 
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 purpose of the qualification is to develop an engineer with advanced abilities in applying fundamental structural engineering sciences. Learners will upon completion advance their knowledge on design and synthesis of specific structural engineering problems of society and develop solution. One of the main objectives is to develop an advanced capability to do structural engineering research independently and as such promoting a lifelong learning approach. Learners will be able to:
  • Apply relevant concepts and fundamental principles and knowledge to identify, assess, analyse and solve structural engineering research and development problems in materials and structures creatively and innovatively.
  • Apply structural engineering techniques and procedures based on appropriate theories and methodologies to plan and conduct investigations.
  • Plan and conduct applicable levels of investigation, independent research and/or experiments by applying appropriate approaches, theories, techniques and methodologies.

    Rationale:
    The institution does not currently offer a Masters' Degree through course work in Civil Engineering. The absence of such a qualification is a gap that would normally leave some interested learners, full-time postgraduate research learners and other working professionals within the region, with no opportunity to acquire advanced academic knowledge from the institution. This qualification will fill this gap and provide an opportunity for individuals in civil engineering to advance their knowledge and grow their careers in the structural engineering sector.

    This qualification is also designed as yet another way of contributing to the national objective of scarce human resources development, national physical infrastructure and economic growth by equipping learners with advanced academic knowledge in the field of engineering. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Prior learning aligned to this coursework Masters' program will be assessed and credits will be awarded in accordance with the RPL policy document of the institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission:
  • A four year professional Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.
    Or
  • A Bachelor honour's Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Civil Engineering or an affiliated Engineering field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 8 modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, 150 Credits:
  • Research Dissertation, 90 Credits.
  • Advanced reinforced concrete analysis and design, 15 Credits.
  • Stability of steel structures, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced concrete technology, 15 Credits.
  • Finite element analysis, 15 Credits.

    Elective modules, 30 Credits:
    Learners are required to choose two modules from the following:
  • Durability, assessment and repair of concrete structures, 15 Credits.
  • Plastic analysis and design of structures, 15 Credits.
  • Dynamic analysis of structures, 15 Credits.
  • Theory of elastic plates, 15 Credits.
  • Structural safety and reliability, 15 Credits.
  • Design of cold-formed steel structures, 15 Credits.
  • Advanced project management, 15 Credits.
  • Geotechnical design of foundations, 15 Credits.
  • Special topics in civil engineering materials and structures, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply relevant concepts and fundamental principles and knowledge to identify, assess, analyse and solve structural engineering research and development problems in materials and structures creatively and innovatively.
    2. Apply structural engineering techniques and procedures based on appropriate theories and methodologies to plan and conduct investigations.
    3. Plan and conduct applicable levels of investigation, independent research and/or experiments by applying appropriate approaches, theories, techniques and methodologies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Fundamental concepts to develop solutions to complex structural problems are used.
  • An understanding of the modern theories of management is developed.
  • Identification of project team roles and conflict resolution techniques.
  • An understanding of the significance of durability and its relation to design principles for engineering performance is developed.
  • Concrete degradation processes is identified and diagnosed through investigation, monitoring and structural assessment.
  • Remedies to physical and chemical deterioration mechanisms of concrete in service are analysed, identified and provided.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The dynamic response of a structure by applying different methods of mathematical analyses is computed.
  • The energy methods of analyses on plate and shell structures are applied.
  • Appreciation of the importance of finite element methods in engineering practice is developed.
  • Specific application of finite element methods to field problems is examined.
  • The energy methods of analyses on plate and shell structures are applied.
  • Understanding of the modern theories of management is developed.
  • Risk management plans are developed.
  • An understanding of the modern theories of management is developed.
  • Project team roles are identified and conflict resolution techniques are developed and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Focussed skills and fundamental understanding in a key selected area of research is developed.
  • Research techniques involving an experiment, modelling or statistical applications in engineering are applied.
  • Concepts, theories and principles to the research interest area of learners' choice are employed.
  • A professional technical report and publications is produced and presented.
  • Research techniques involving an experiment, modelling or statistical applications in engineering are applied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
  • Coursework consists of different forms of formative assessments consisting of project reports, case studies, assignments etc. that will be implemented in each module, depending on the nature of the module.
    Summative assessment:
  • For coursework component, each intermediate or progress assessment will be awarded a mark allocation that will be combined with the final examination mark based on pre-determined weightings for the module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In the United Kingdom Imperial College, London offers the (Master of Science) MSc in Concrete Structures. The qualification aims to provide training in the analysis, design and assessment of concrete structures under general conditions and their impact on reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, using advanced analytical and numerical techniques. The objectives of this qualification are:
  • Produce graduates equipped to pursue careers in structural design and analysis in industry, the public sector and non-governmental organisations.
  • Provide the basis for the recognition and understanding of the major features of structural engineering.
  • Develop an understanding of how this knowledge may be applied in practice in an economic and environmentally sustainable manner.
  • Foster the acquisition and implementation of broad research and analytical skills related to structural engineering.
    Other qualifications with similar focus includes Master of Science in Structural Engineering at University of Sheffield; MEng Science in Structural Engineering at North South Wales University. All of these international qualifications are coursework Master's qualifications offering similar structural engineering modules and as such they are developed with the same purpose. The purpose of the qualification is to enable learners to develop skills in the analysis and design of steel and concrete structures.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares very well with the above cited qualifications in that they all are coursework Master's qualifications offering similar structural engineering modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is designed to articulate within and across the sub-frameworks of the NQF. Horizontal articulation is possible with the following qualifications:
  • Master of Engineering in Engineering Management, at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical articulation is possible with the following qualification:
  • Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management, at 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.