Purpose and characteristics of Qualifications

Bachelor Honours Degree

NQF Level: 8

The Bachelor Honours Degree is a postgraduate specialisation qualification, characterised by the fact

that it prepares students for research-based postgraduate study. This qualification typically follows a

Bachelor’s Degree, and serves to consolidate and deepen the student’s expertise in a particular discipline,

and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of that discipline. This qualification

demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. In some cases, a Bachelor

Honours Degree carries recognition by an appropriate professional or statutory body.

Bachelor Honours Degree programmes must include conducting and reporting research under supervision,

worth at least 30 credits, in the form of a discrete research component that is appropriate to the discipline

or field of study.

Master’s Degree

NQF Exit Level 9

The primary purpose of a general Master’s Degree is to educate and train researchers who can contribute

to the development of knowledge at an advanced level.

Master’s Degree graduates in general must be able to reflect critically on theory and its application. They

must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, design and critically appraise

research, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their

conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in

tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical

underpinning and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

Doctoral Degree

NQF Exit Level 10

The Doctorate provides training for an academic career. It requires a candidate to undertake research

at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment, and acceptance of a

thesis.

The defining characteristic

of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high level research capability and to

make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.

The above Post Graduate Qualifications require deep theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. There are thus specific types of readiness that need to be considered when applying for these qualifications,

Academic readiness

Meet admission requirements

Personal Readiness

Work and personal commitments

Should enable students to allocate a minimum of 1 hour everyday to their Post Graduate Studies.

The above excludes time allocated for lectures /presentations/supervision meetings

BEd Honours Programme

The purpose of the BEd Honours Programme is to prepare students for research-based postgraduate studies It is designed to consolidate and deepen a student’s knowledge and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the field.

Admission Requirements

Candidates qualify for admission if they are in possession of a full qualification on, or equivalent to, NQF Level 7, as stipulated below:

Four Year BEd Degree OR

Three-year appropriate Bachelors degree (e.g. BSc) plus an Advanced Diploma in Teaching (or a recognised professional teaching qualification), OR

A former postgraduate professional teaching qualification (for example, PGCE).

An average of at least 60% for the above

Specialisations

Prospective students are required to choose ONE of the following specialisations offered:

Mathematics Education

Educational Psychology

Language Education

Science Education

Please note that the faculty reserves the right not to offer a specialisation should there be insufficient student numbers in any given year.

The Research Masters

The programme is offered on a part-time or full-time basis that includes independent work with a supervisor. Students are also invited to attend a Post Graduate Research Development Program for extra support and capacity development. This Program takes the form of seminars/workshops that are presented by experts throughout the year.

Admission requirements

A B Ed Honours degree; or

Any other appropriate Honours degree

An average of at least 60% for the Honours degree

Submission of a 1000 word preliminary proposal as per faculty guidelines contained in the information booklet

Admission will be based on a formal selection process and availability of supervision capacity in the chosen research field

The D Ed / PhD

The programme is offered on a part-time or full- time basis, conducting research independently with a promoter. Students are also invited to attend a Post Graduate Research Development Program for extra support and capacity development. This Program takes the form of seminars/workshops that are presented by experts throughout the year.

Admission requirements

The M Ed degree; or

An appropriate Master’s degree

An average of at least 60% for the M Ed degree

Admission will be based on a formal selection process

Submission of a 2000 word preliminary proposal as per faculty guidelines contained in the information booklet

NB: Students will be required to successfully defend their proposal to a panel within a specific period after registration – 6 months for Masters and 12 months for Doctoral candidates – to ensure continued participation on the programme.

Research Treatise

In addition to the course work, students will be required to conduct independent research/inquiry in their specialisation culminating in a research treatise. This entails independent work with a supervisor.

Students are also invited to attend a Post Graduate Research Development Program for extra support and capacity development. This Program takes the form of seminars/workshops that are presented by experts throughout the year.