| Qualification code: | 90120 |
| Qualification type: | Full Research |
| NQF level: | 9 |
| Total credits: | 180 |
| SAQA ID: | 110083 |
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Rules: The curriculum consists of a dissertation that incorporates a research proposal to be completed within the first year of study. |
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| Purpose statement: The purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying students with the knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in forensic investigation to ensure opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society. This qualification will also educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level by completing a single advanced research project. The aim of this qualification is to provide South Africa and the global community with police officers and forensic investigators with postgraduate training and to widen the innovative and knowledge based police leadership who will promote economic and scholarly activities. Qualifying learners will understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society, and who are empowered and equipped with the required research and analytical skills to play a key role in shaping law enforcement in a just society based on constitutional democracy within a world legal order. It will equip learners to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Furthermore, the qualification will equip learners to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of Police Science. |
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| Registration opens | Registration opens | Registration closes | Final date for payment |
| Master's & doctoral qualifications | 7 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
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MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications |
7 January 2026 | 21 February 2026 | 21 February 2026 |
All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.
Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.
Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:
If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies.
Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)
| Module (Please click on the module to see further information) | Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Group A. Compulsory | |
| DFFOR91 - Dissertation: Forensic Science and Technology | |