Programme details:
General aim
The aim of the MEd in Higher Education Studies degree is to equip dedicated education specialists academically and to lead them to academic expertise and excellence to fulfil their vocation and to provide in South Africa’s need for high-level education researchers and decision-makers. Furthermore, the qualification aims to equip graduates with focused research skills to enhance the scholarship of the teaching and learning profile of lecturers, regardless of the focus of each individual discipline. Candidates who are accredited with this qualification will be able to function with advanced intellectual, practical and research competencies in complex and challenging situations in diverse areas in higher education.
Study programme
The method of delivery for this qualification is contact (part time). The students are required to attend three-week block sessions on campus at the beginning of each semester. The students attend contact sessions (face to face) aimed at a blend of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, group discussions, group reflection, group and individual assignments/portfolios, practical projects with application software, a colloquium, in-class presentations, reflective portfolios, tutorials, as well as independent self-study (guides, books, journals, case studies, multimedia) and online forums on the e-learning platform used by the North-West University. Attendance of the face-to-face contact time is important to ensure realisation of the module and qualification outcomes. Contact sessions are highly interactive and entail both theory and practical application of theory. Working in groups develops students’ skills to function as part of a team or within a system.
- A student in the MEd in Higher Education Studies degree must follow an approved programme in the focus of the faculty, in consultation with the deputy dean.
- There are coursework modules for qualifications in the structured MEd in Higher Education Studies in year 1 and year 2 of the curriculum, but a student may not proceed to year 2 of their studies if they have not obtained a minimum of 50% for all the coursework modules in the first year of study.
- Passing all the coursework modules in the first year of the MEd in Higher Education Studies is a prerequisite for the completion of the research coursework module and minidissertation/ research product (article format) in the second year.
- Research proposals must be submitted for approval not later than March in the second year of study.
- The ethics application for the research proposal to be submitted in April after the research proposal was approved.
Admission requirements
A candidate qualifies for admission to this qualification (MEd in Higher Education Studies) if they are in possession of
- an Honours degree OR Bachelor’s degree OR Postgraduate Diploma at NQF level 8;
- any other qualification deemed equal and suitable by the NWU Senate for admission to this qualification;
- an average of 60% for the exit level modules of the previous qualification;
- proven experience as academic employee in the higher education academic department of a higher education provider for a minimum of three years; OR proven experience (by means of portfolio of evidence) as an academic developer in the higher education context supporting academic staff and/or students through individual/group professional development opportunities for a minimum of three years and holds an NQF level 8 qualification with an average 60% pass; OR proven experience (by means of portfolio of evidence) as a support staff working with academics to support the development/quality enhancement/accreditation of academic programmes within an institution of higher learning and holds an NQF level 8 qualification with an average 60% pass.
Duration of the studies
The minimum duration of the studies for this qualification is two (2) years and the acquisition of 186 credits, and the maximum length of time for completing the degree is three (3) years.