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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99213  Master of Arts 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Arts provides advanced training in the techniques of research, analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to languages, Theology, Philosophy, Political Science and other related fields. The qualification will equip the learner with the skills necessary either for employment in the educational and cultural fields or for further, independent research for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the same or related subject area.

Rationale:
Scholars in Humanities and Social Sciences are becoming rare in the developing world as focus has shifted to Technology and the Sciences. However, there is ample evidence from the developed world that society cannot improve without experts in the Human and Social Sciences, hence the need for such a qualification. This is also in line with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET's) creation of the Charter for Humanities and Social Sciences. The learners would be equipped to work in both the private and public sectors. Thus they will be at the forefront of contributing to national and international development. They will also record and document societal issues for posterity. Learners will also be prepared adequately for doctoral study in the chosen fields. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. Such learners may be required to broaden their knowledge base by enrolling for identified preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission. Learners may also apply for exemption from certain modules on the grounds of credits obtained from relevant qualifications of study concerned. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant institutional policies and approval by relevant faculty structures.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Relevant Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Full dissertation 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Empower learners to design and execute research projects.
    2. Shape and encourage learners as part of a team.
    3. Develop leadership skills, while recognising the importance of community, adaptability and cooperation.
    4. Refine critical thinking skills and reflect on one's own thoughts and actions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Develop a research proposal.
  • Teach knowledge and skills.
  • Write a motivation to conduct research.
  • Publish the research findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Express language and communication skills.
  • Show an understanding of teamwork.
  • Display understanding of South African and global social realities and leadership development.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:
  • Show understanding how social factors influence our daily interactions.
  • Assess how personality and intelligence play a role.
  • Conduct a critical analysis of data and research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:
  • Display critical and creative thinking.
  • Show problem-solving skills.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The integration of skills learned in the qualification is assessed by means of a dissertation of a word length stipulated by the School of Human and Social Sciences. Assessment is based on criteria, which include:
  • Scope and quality of literature reviewed from a variety of text and other media.
  • Accuracy with which the literature is represented and applied to the research questions.
  • The formulation of a research question and the development of a research proposal based on the literature review. The project must specify a research design and the method/s to be applied to answer the research question, and be of appropriate scale and complexity of a Masters dissertation.
  • The demonstration of a professional working relationship by responding to the comments of the projects supervisor.
  • The execution of the research proposed.
  • Presentation of the research in a manner which accords with the publication conventions of the discipline. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is offered in the United States of America (New York) and the University of Namibia. The requirement was designed after observing what is being provided in these countries so that the qualification will be nationally relevant and internationally comparable. The requirement is also in line with the educational objectives of SAQA's prescribed NQF Level 9. The qualification deals with cutting-edge debates of relevance to advanced learners of Africa, irrespective of the regions of the continent or the disciplines that interest them most. The qualification incorporates classical elements in the study of the humanities. Evidence consistently demonstrates that influential leaders in all sectors of society-government, business, legal, medical, educational and others - have a solid intellectual grounding in the arts, especially the humanities. It put an emphasis on developing learners' ability to think independently and critically, and that is what we also strive for. This is why learners are poised to succeed in the South African and global contexts alike. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification allows for possibilities of both horizontal and vertical articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Social Sciences, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, 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. University of Venda 


    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.