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Programme: MA (Political Science) (Coursework)

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Code Faculty Department
01250266 Faculty of Humanities Department: Political Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 180 NQF level:  09

Admission requirements

  1. Honours degree in Political Sciences or relevant honours degree
  2. A cumulative weighted average of at least 65% for the honours degree
  3. An admissions essay/examination may be required

Note: Additional work/modules may be required in order to reach the desired level of competency

General information

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

Minimum credits: 180

Students must complete 3 electives from the list provided. The total number of credits for elective modules must be 90.

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Using appropriate methodological approaches and research methods, selected aspects of related modules in the discipline of political science are applied to state-based and national case studies and issues of importance. In addition to the emphasis on methodological aspects and selected research methods, attention is also paid to the development, structure and writing of research reports in the broader field of political science. This module has an approved research proposal on a political science theme for the mini- dissertation that also complies with ethical guidelines, as an outcome.

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  • Module content:

    A mini-dissertation based on independent research done by the student in the broad field of political science, is written under the guidance of a supervisor.

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Elective modules

  • Module content:

    This module interrogates contemporary debates in the discipline of political science. The contents of the module may vary from year to year and will be announced at the beginning of each year. Possible topics include quality of democracy studies, political culture, identity and social cohesion, political communication, political leadership, electoral politics, national and ethnic politics and area studies.

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  • Module content:

    The comparative study of political systems and contemporary debates in comparative politics as well as the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of comparative politics. This knowledge is applied to specific case studies.

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  • Module content:

    The purpose of this module is to provide students with advanced understanding of key issues and debates in modern African and Western normative political theory. This will include reading selected central texts in the history of political theory and interrogating the evolution and impact of these ideas in contemporary society.

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  • Module content:

    Alternating module content. An advanced study of South African politics with reference to political institutions, the political process, political issues and policy/ An advanced study of policy analysis that aims to integrate and contextualise models and research as well as decision-making processes, institutions and actors involved in the policymaking process.

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Regulations and rules
The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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