Master of Social Science

Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to conduct research in a specific discipline within the human and social sciences in an independent manner by means of critically reflecting on and demonstrating in-depth knowledge in that specific discipline.

• Responding to the needs of the community;
• Responding to business and industry needs;
• In life-long learning and the appreciation of the value of education and society.

Qualifiers will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Learners who register for this qualification can

• Learn from predominantly written material;
• Communicate what they have learnt comprehensively in the medium of instruction;
• Learn and take responsibility for their own progress.

Recognition of prior learning

The qualification recognises formal and non-formal prior learning (incorporating experiential learning) at a Higher Education and Training Certificate Level 7 in social sciences or a functional equivalent.

The planned combination of learning outcomes are integrated with critical cross-field outcomes for this qualification

Practical Competency

The demonstrated ability/skill to achieve the major Skills/Applied Competency of the qualification.

Foundational Competency

The demonstrated understanding, by the Learner, of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome.

Reflective Competency

The demonstrated ability/skill to integrate or connect our performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.

To successfully complete the certificate the learner will have to demonstrate his/her learning via module specific learning outcomes as well as critical cross-field learning outcomes.

Module specific outcomes will include capabilities relating to module knowledge and the understanding thereof within specific context and capabilities relating to integrated knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines within the field.

Critical cross-field outcomes will include those specified in the learning outcomes for approve modules in the certificate and as appropriate to the learner's field of practice.

Learners will be capable of demonstrating the application of various research methods, techniques and skills in a specific discipline within the human and social sciences to address the needs and problems of individuals, groups or societies.

The learner will be able to analyse and apply the basic principles relevant to the following

1. Gather and scrutinise extended relevant literature regarding an identified problem relating to individuals, groups or societies in order to clearly define and formulate the research question/problem;
2. Utilise various advanced research methods, techniques and skills to investigate and address the defined research question/problem;
3. Plan, execute and document the research process by offering a meaningful possible solution/recommendation to solve the identified research question/problem.

A learner should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude) by means of the following

1. Course work

The assessment strategies will be utilised in order to determine whether learners can demonstrate their competence in mastering the qualification outcomes.

1. Dissertation

Learners will demonstrate that they have mastered the qualification outcomes and the requirements laid down for a scientific report by submitting a dissertation.

Integrated assessment

Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification.

Examination of the research report by internal and external examiners regarding the candidates' ability to

• Formal end evaluations in the form of oral or written examinations
• Dissertations.

This will be supported by a module credit system, followed by a final exam on the modules for which credit was not obtained.

Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that

• They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
• They are constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the Learners activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

Assessments are

• To include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
• To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.