The impact of institutional differentiation on master’s programmes in South Africa

Abstract

This article aims to provide an understanding of challenges faced within higher education when responding to a national call to produce more students with master’s and doctor’s degrees. We focus on transformation within higher education through White Paper 3 which laid the foundation for change. The literature review examined differentiation within the context of South African higher education. This research is located within the interpretive paradigm. A mixed methods approach was used with qualitative document analysis as the tool to reinterpret documents containing narrative as well quantitative data. The South African higher education system has been differentiated according to programme offerings. While policy prescribes programme differentiation there are no parameters determining whether or not a higher education institution is capable of offering a master’s programme. This research examines this scenario and offers recommendations.