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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Performing Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117679  Doctor of Performing Arts 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Performing Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Doctor of Performing Arts aims to provide a reflective, creative space, with a focus on advanced, informed, sophisticated creative practice. The qualification aims to empower each learner to pronounce their originality and to articulate the contribution their original work can make to the broader academic, artistic and professional environment. Learners will be enabled to conceive, and critically evaluate the success of their original research through advanced theoretical rigour within their elected discipline specificity, as well as a reflective and reflexive practice across empirical research modes of enquiry.

In line with national imperatives, the focus is on deepening understanding and enhancing perspectives of African heritage and Africanisation in the Performing Arts sector. This imperative is driven in the undergraduate qualifications as well as the preparatory postgraduate qualifications. The qualification, therefore, prepares the learner for research committed to the value of artistic expression, artistic manifestation, and the human need to create. This will, in turn, contribute to the unique flavour of the country and help establish South Africa as a performing arts capital within the African and global performing arts contexts. In this manner, it further contributes to the economic development of the country.

Qualifying learners will be able to continue their professional careers either academically at educational institutions or as practitioners in their field of specialisation, or both; locally and abroad. Academic staff who are already in positions across the three discipline specialisations (Dance; Theatre Arts and Design; and Music) will act as supervisors and develop any necessary learning materials for this qualification. As part of qualification development, these academics are trained and continue to receive in-house training in curriculum-related issues through the aegis of institutional Common Data Sets (CDS). All learning materials follow a rigorous approval process as set out in the relevant curriculum development policy.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Performing Arts provides a space within which practising artists can develop and refine their work within the broad paradigm of performance. Also, they will be able to make a significant and original contribution to advanced and professional practices. The qualification will allow learners to continue with inter-and multi-disciplinary study, as well as discipline specificity through intense research, focus within the module Thesis: Performing Arts.

At this, the most advanced academic level, the doctorate provides multi-disciplinary opportunities for primarily training towards careers in academia. However, the qualification will also acknowledge innovation, expertise, and philosophies of creative work, additionally grounding the applied knowledge within the Creative Industries and Performing Arts professional practice. This qualification will ensure development, innovation and the deepening of new knowledge production throughout the Performing Arts sector within South Africa.

Learners have to demonstrate a high-level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the disciplines encompassed in the Performing Arts industries. Further, learners may elect to complete their degree through pure discipline-based, inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary research, or applied research. Applied research may include creative work such as artefacts, compositions, public performances, and public exhibitions following appropriate methodologies, and may only constitute partial fulfilment of the qualification requirement. This supports the development of knowledge at the most advanced academic level.

The Doctor of Performing Arts qualification has been benchmarked against and is compatible with, international standards in arts education. However, the development of multi-disciplinary creative practitioners is unique within the South African national higher education landscape. This uniqueness, therefore, offers learners the opportunity to research specificity of disciplines in Dance, Music, or Theatre Arts and Design or conduct research that cuts across these performing arts disciplines. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The structure of this qualification makes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) possible. This qualification may, therefore, be achieved in part or entirely through the RPL process, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. RPL follows the 'institution's policy and procedures.

Learners are informed regarding the RPL processes as well as being provided with support and guidance. Care is ensured that the mechanism used provides the learners with an opportunity to demonstrate competence and is not as onerous as to prevent a learner from taking up the RPL option towards gaining a qualification or as an entrance assessment. If the learner can demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit for this qualification, the appropriate credits will be assigned to the learner.

For the Postgraduate level, the institution includes an option for learners to apply to upgrade their Masters to Doctoral status. This is subject to scrutiny and would be engaged by the RPL office and 'Registrar's environment.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Performing Arts at NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • A relevant 'Master's or Magister Technologiae qualification in a complementary field of study (M Tech: Drama, M Tech: Dance; M Tech: Musical Theatre, M Tech: Performing Arts Technology at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of research and a thesis at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.
  • Thesis: Performing Arts, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conceptualise and identify new performing arts or creative industries research initiatives that will create new knowledge and processes of knowledge production, and contribute to scholarly debates around theories or practice in performing arts or creative industries.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to apply discipline specificity, or inter- and multi-disciplinary application of methods, procedures and problem-solving in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate towards complex performing arts and creative industry requirements.
    3. Make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis, for the development of significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.
    4. Produce substantial, independent, in-depth publishable work that meets international standards; that is considered new and/or innovative by peers and contributes to the discipline, field, or practice.
    5. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in the performing arts or creative industries. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Use the expertise and critical knowledge at the forefront of the field, new research initiatives in advanced performing arts and creative industry practices, will be conceptualised and identified.
  • Make contributions to theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in the performing arts through scholarly debates.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Develop and apply new methods, procedures and problem-solving in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate towards complex performing arts and creative industry requirements.
  • Establish the critically reflexive, creative and novel application of specialist knowledge and theory towards addressing complex practical and theoretical performing arts contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Realise independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis.
  • Develop significant original insights into new complex and abstract ideas, information or issues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work, which meets international standards.
  • Communicate and disseminate ideas, initiatives, and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of an academic/professional, or occupational discourse.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate Intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in the performing arts or creative industries.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment methods will include both formative and summative assessment:
    Formative: Supervision strategies will be implemented where the individual progress of each learner will be monitored through observation-based modes: by continuously assessing improvement, towards individual development and learning.

    Summative: A thesis (inclusive of creative work/performance where applicable), will be submitted for assessment by a panel of examiners appointed following the 'institution's policy.

    A defence opportunity will be conducted in line with the 'institution's policy on Research and Innovation.

    Evidence of a publication of a minimum of one peer-reviewed article.

    Assessment will be undertaken through a single advanced research project, culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis.
  • Thesis: Performing Arts.
  • Creative Work/Performance (where applicable).

    Learners will also be required to complete the following additional tasks:
  • Defence.
  • Published peer-reviewed article.

    At the end of the study, the learner should be able to produce original, substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work, which meets international standards. Besides, this should be considered new and/or innovative by peers and contribute to the performing arts disciplines. Further, this should enable engagement with and critique of current research or practice, as well as advanced scholarship or research in a discipline-specific, inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary approaches, or applied research methods. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The purpose of the international comparison is to ensure that the qualification offered in South Africa is internationally comparable. The following institutions have been benchmarked:

    Kenya
    Kenyatta University offers postgraduate courses in Performing Arts, and learners can study the Doctor of Philosophy in Film and Theatre Arts. The Doctor of Philosophy in Film and Theatre is an innovative qualification that offers an international, cross-cultural exploration of theatre in all its manifestations. The goal of the qualification is to produce scholars confident in both the theory and practice of theatre who can enlarge our appreciation of dramatic expression and its profound historical and cultural significance in human society. The following shall be eligible for registration for the Doctor of Philosophy: A holder of Master of Arts in Communication, Journalism, Theatre Arts, Animation and/or Film studies/Technology, or their equivalent from Kenyatta University or any other recognised University with a Thesis or at least a score of 60% in the project. The qualification shall extend over at least three years.

    The qualification is comparable to our interdisciplinary doctorate concerning the discipline streams of Dance, Music and Theatre Arts and Design.

    United States of America (USA):
    The New York University offers Doctor of Philosophy in Music with specialised areas of historical musicology, ethnomusicology, or composition and theory. The institutions' research interests do not conform to narrow interpretations of these fields. The r students' work addresses a wide range of musical traditions (such as jazz, film music, various "world," "European art," and "popular" music) from a variety of critical, analytical, ethnographic, and historical perspectives. This aligns to the institution's interdisciplinary doctorate concerning the discipline streams of music.

    Guildhall School of Music and Drama is ranked 9th in the world in the area of Performing Arts. It specialises in performance and creative enterprise, technical theatre, performance, opera making and writing, actor training, music performance. The Production Arts department at Guildhall School has long been recognised as providing some of the most innovative vocational theatre training in the UK and beyond. The School boasts technical and performance facilities which are among the best in the world. The teaching is practical and production-based; learners work on public productions and live events with professional directors, designers and conductors participating in the creation of acclaimed dramas, musicals, operas and large-scale open-air video events.

    The qualification is comparable to the South African qualification concerning the discipline streams of Dance, Music and Theatre Arts and Design.

    United Kingdom (UK)
    Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London offers vocational courses in Actor training, ensemble theatre and musicianship, musical theatre, opera studies, performance sound, costume production, lighting design and engineering. The institution offers professional diploma and academic degree courses. Learners applying for PhD via MPhil should have either a first-class or upper second class honours degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or an overseas qualification rated as equivalent. The minimum language requirement for a research degree is an IELTS Academic English score of 7.0 overall (minimum of 6.5 in all components). The minimum requirements should typically have been gained within the past two years. This new collaborative research qualification is available by both full-time and part-time study. It offers learners access to the facilities of both Rose Bruford College (RBC) and the University of East London (UEL).

    The qualification is comparable to the institutions' interdisciplinary doctorate concerning the discipline streams of Dance, Music and Theatre Arts and Design.

    Austria
  • The University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, ranks second in terms of World Ranking in the area of the Performing Arts. It specialises in drama, music, and dance. The inter-disciplinary offerings are in alignment with our interdisciplinary offering.
  • University of Wollongong, Australia offers Performing Arts subjects, dance, drama and music. This includes PhD, Professional Doctorate, Master of Philosophy, the Bachelor of Research and Master of Research. The Doctor of Philosophy (Creative Arts) is for learners with an excellent creative arts academic research background, or equivalent high-level professional experience. This qualification is designed for students with a high level of professional and scholarly maturity. Students may pursue purely academic research or a combination of creative practice and scholarly research.

    Research strengths in creative practice include Music, Theatre, Performance, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Digital Media and Design. Applications from all these disciplines are encouraged, as well as any projects working in interdisciplinary forms. The qualification involves the submission of a research thesis comprising a combination of creative and scholarly outputs. The nature of the research project determines the exact make-up of the submission, but in all cases represents a substantial and publishable result of sustained engagement with creative arts practice and knowledge. You will attend lectures and workshops on creative arts research practices and other relevant topics. PhD learners are also expected to contribute to the research culture of the University actively.

    The qualification is comparable to the Doctor of Performing Arts concerning the discipline streams of Dance, Music and Theatre Arts and Design. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctoral of Arts, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.