SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Philosophy in Philosophy

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100852	Master of Philosophy in Philosophy
ORIGINATOR
North West University
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language		Communication Studies
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
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	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 purpose of the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) qualification is to empower students to proceed to a deeper level of thinking about the philosophical foundations of the sciences, their professions and the world in which they live. It also prepares them for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study in Philosophy by cultivating the following:

Knowledge and skills.

The analysis, interpretation, reconstruction and critique of philosophical texts and the application of ideas in philosophical texts.

The identification and contextualisation of as well as reaction to philosophical problems.

The research methodology important for postgraduate study.

The ability to deal independently and creatively with discipline content and method.

The ability to offer research results in a well-structured and clearly formulated scientific format.

Rationale:
According to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework the designator for the Master of Philosophy Degree implies a strong theoretical base. However, theory will not be the only higher order concern of the programme. The concept Philosophy implies a step beyond to the level of meta-theoretical content because study in Philosophy usually offers insight in the foundations and context of the special disciplines and world in which the graduate will work and live. Therefore an Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Degree will give students the advantage of the advanced critical and meta-theoretical insight that Philosophy offers as well as the development of the theoretical skills that give students entrance to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) study in Philosophy.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The outcomes of this qualification can be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning in terms of the following criteria:

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
Students will be given Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they can produce a portfolio of evidence to show that they meet the outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria, obtaining the relevant credits according to the assessment of the institution.

Rules governing the award of the qualification:
This qualification may only be awarded where the student has completed at least 67% (90 credits) of the qualification at the institution. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including previous local or international qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

The institution endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme at honours level. RPL for admission implies assessment of not only cognate knowledge and skills gained through work experience or other qualifications, to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to Level 7 the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master additionally prior to being accepted for the honours qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting.

An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, programmes and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the programme as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements:

Bachelor Honours Degree in Philosophy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises of one compulsory module at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits:

Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate the ability: for informed, independent and critical thinking.
2. Critically apply in-depth knowledge by using a variety of methods including historical debate, textual and literary analysis and philosophical discourse.
3. Perform appropriate library and online research utilized in professional and academic study.
4. Execute research on an advanced level about a philosophical problem (i.e. to identify, contextualise and develop a philosophical problem and answer to that problem by means of gathering the appropriate knowledge).
5. Report on the research results in a scientific and scholarly way by way of a dissertation and oral communication supported by the use of applicable Information Technology (IT).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Integrated Assessment:
Formative assessment takes the form of a research proposal, which has to be acceptable to the faculty board before the student is allowed to progress with the study. The qualification further employs a summative assessment in the form of a dissertation. Students will be assessed especially on the application of their philosophical skills (meta-theoretical interpretation and evaluation, and creativity) but also on their writing and communication skills as well as their computer literacy and use of Information Technology (IT).

A dissertation must be submitted for examination before or on the date annually shown in the time table for the relevant year.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Internationally, an Master of Philosophy (MPhil) qualification is mostly research (or thesis) only, and is generally regarded as a senior or second Master's Degree, bridging from a coursework master's to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MPhil may often be awarded to graduate students who have completed several years of original research, but have not yet defended the dissertation, and can serve as a provisional enrolment for a PhD.

In the United States universities award the MPhil to PhD. candidates when they complete their required coursework and qualifying examinations, but before the defence of a doctoral dissertation. Sometimes schools award an MPhil to certify a student as a candidate for the PhD Degree.

In most United Kingdom (UK) universities, completion of an MPhil typically requires two years of full-time study or four years or more of part-time study and the submission of a thesis comprising a body of original research undertaken by the candidate. Similar to the United States of America (USA), some schools award an MPhil to certify that the student is a candidate for the PhD Degree. It usually entails one year of coursework after completing the Master of Arts or Master of Sciences.

In the Netherlands and Belgium the MPhil is a special research Degree and only awarded by selected departments of a university (mostly in the fields of Arts, Social Sciences, Archaeology, Philosophy and Theology). Admission to these programmes is highly selective and primarily aimed at those students opting for an academic career.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Philosophy (Dissertation) at 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.	North West University