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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104535  Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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  Language 
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 purpose of this qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of research skills in issues of China's domestic politics, economics, history, culture, etc., which will contribute to a new generation of scholars able to teach research and otherwise grow the field. This qualification also seeks to attract candidates with specialisation in China-Africa, and China-international relations, whose research expertise also feeds into broader training and research programmes for the future. This second group's research areas will also have implications for business, government and other spheres. Both branches will be relevant in the field of academia, and other research based professions with a similar focus.

In articulation with other Arts and Social Science departments, learners may be directed for meetings/co-supervision in relevant departments. They will also be given prescribed reading on topics relevant to their research. This process will be carefully shaped by regular and close engagement with their academic supervisors. Supplementary language classes at the Modern Foreign Languages Department may also be advised. In carrying out these procedures, candidates will be enabled to achieve the following outcomes:
  • Assimilate knowledge from a wide range of topics and research areas in the field of China Studies and cognate disciplines.
  • Master the research process, including the selection of a topic; self-driven but supervised investigation; data collection and management; assimilation, analysis, interpretation and critical discussion; understanding and coherent presentation.
  • Organise and manage time and activities effectively.
  • Use visual, oral and written skills to communicate effectively.
  • Demonstrate in-depth, specialised knowledge of a topic relevant to the broader field of Chinese Studies, and advanced applied skills in conducting social science and humanities based research.

    Rationale:
    As the demand for expertise on China increases on the African continent, the need for a relevant post-graduate study qualification has become increasingly urgent. While decolonisation within Africa and the fall of apartheid in South Africa have witnessed a renaissance in African focused Humanities and Social Sciences, this is nevertheless still complemented by a strong emphasis on the Euro-American sphere. The study of regions such as Asia, has remained marginalised. The rapid speed with which China has begun to exert influence on Africa has transformed what might once have been considered an 'esoteric' field of study into one which is now critical. The speed of this development has caught tertiary education institutions off foot, in which the relevance and importance of China to Africa is vastly disproportionate to the available educational capacities available in this regard. The Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies offers a remedy to this institutional lag in the form of an intensive, comprehensive post-graduate level focus on China.

    This qualification can be viewed as a contribution toward African development of 'Asia literacy'. At the level of African governments and business, there is a severe lack of contextual knowledge regarding engagement with China. This deficit can have very real effects at the level of practical engagement.

    The range of topical themes covered by this qualification will necessarily include a significant, or entire, focus on China, or the greater China region (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and diasporic communities). It is anticipated, given the local context, that a substantial portion of candidates applying will focus on topics pertaining to China-Africa relations in, varyingly, their historical, political, economic and socio-cultural dimensions. Learners may also wish to engage in study covering China's relationships with other countries (predominant trends include Japan, the United States and the Brazil, Russian, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) countries), or conduct their research primarily on a Chinese domestic issue, be it cultural, historical, economic, etc.

    While this multi-disciplinary focus will enable a broader pool of learners to enroll, all applications will be judged according to their feasibility. This not only includes the quality of application but also adequate staff, be they supervisory, co supervisory or advisory in nature.

    This qualification will serve as the basis for additional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualifications in China Studies, which are anticipated to be running by 2019. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The Institution considers learners applying for RPL in terms of the "Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning". The Institution handles RPL requests according to the Institution's RPL policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for access to this qualification is:
  • A four-year cognate Bachelor's Degree at Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) Hons (Mandarin).
  • An Honours Degree in Social Sciences.
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Modern China Studies.
  • An appropriate Honours Degree Postgraduate Diploma.
    Or
  • A qualification deemed equivalent by Senate. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory Thesis (Chinese Studies) module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Assimilate knowledge from a wide range of topics and research areas in the field of China Studies and cognate disciplines.
    2. Master the research process, including the selection of a topic; self-driven but supervised investigation; data collection and management; assimilation, analysis, interpretation and critical discussion; understanding and coherent presentation.
    3. Organise and manage time and activities effectively.
    4. Use visual, oral and written skills to communicate effectively.
    5. Demonstrate in-depth, specialised knowledge of a topic relevant to the broader field of Chinese Studies, and advanced applied skills in conducting social science and humanities based research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria (AAC) will be used in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Formulate clear, answerable research questions as they pertain to the discipline of Chinese Studies.
  • Decide on the most appropriate methodology to address the research question(s).
  • Find all relevant information, including research and review articles, textbooks and guidelines, by accessing Internet databases and employing appropriate search strategies.
  • Critically evaluate the relevant literature.
  • Write an appropriate literature review.
  • Formulate and write a research protocol.
  • Conduct the study and analyse the data.
  • Draw logical, evidence-based conclusions from the data.
  • Present and defend the results of the research in an acceptable format.
  • Write a credit-bearing assessment in the form of a thesis, examined internally and externally in accordance with the Institution's policy.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The only credit-bearing assessment is that of the thesis. It is examined internally and externally, consistent with the Institution's policy, the programme coordinator will ensure that the outcomes of this qualification are achieved; that appropriate assessment criteria and methods are used; that integrated assessment takes place; and that learner feedback is followed up. The institution will ensure that assessment standards are upheld and that lecturers have sufficient and appropriate training and/or experience. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualification:

    United Kingdom, University of Cambridge's Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies. This is an intense one-year research qualification with substantial taught elements primarily designed for learners who intend to go on to do a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chinese Studies or related fields at the University of Cambridge or elsewhere. It is designed for highly-motivated future researchers who have a substantial undergraduate background in Chinese Studies or related fields but need more exposure to topic-specific or discipline-based analytical frameworks and more intense training in primary source language(s) and research skills.

    Applicants with a substantial training in the relevant skills and with a very specific research interest are advised to consult with individual staff members to explore the possibility of doing a Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies 'by dissertation only'. Those who do 'dissertation only' will write a longer dissertation (up to 25,000 words) and the assessment includes an oral examination of the dissertation (viva). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for vertical and horizontal articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Transdisciplinary Health and Development Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Social Science Methods, Level 9.

    Vertically Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Chinese Studies, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in African Languages, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Conservation Ecology, 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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.