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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109234  Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-03-08  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 qualification is to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and applied competence to enable them to do empirical research in order to engage in best practice within the field of Gender Studies.

South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in specialised fields within Gender Studies in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based gender specialists and advocates is widened to serve as champions and stewards.

South Africa (and other countries) with intellectuals who can play an innovative and meaningful role as change agents to promote gender equality in their society and in their workplace and who are empowered to play that role informed by empirical research.

Rationale:
There is a dearth of dedicated undergraduate and Postgraduate qualifications of study in Gender Studies in South Africa. This is regrettable given the national and political emphasis on gender equity and equality in post-democracy South African society. Yet gender awareness and gender practice is important for South Africa as a whole, in line with the national constitution's emphasis on gender equity. Effective gender practitioners need a range of skills, knowledge and values, as well as expertise in their chosen fields of research specialisation, combined with advanced knowledge and competence in Gender theory and its application. Building on the multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary Honours qualification in Gender Studies, the proposed Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies will provide an academic home for learners from a wide range of academic backgrounds who are interested in gender. It will enable learners to hone their skills in research so that they will emerge as competent researchers who are able to gather, analyse and synthesise valid data in the field.

Learners and stakeholders of the qualification are likely to have experienced gender inequality and thus to understand the need to address it in their own communities. The qualification addresses the fact that there is a general recognition that women, rather than men, suffer the burdens of economic, political and social inequalities as well as being the victims of the scourge of gender-based violence, particularly on the African context. Sexist cultural practices as well as damaging gender norms in Africa contribute to the oppression of women and the practice of denying them educational and professional opportunities as well as physical and sexual agency. The oppression of women is a mirror of the way men, and masculinity, are generally constructed by society as being naturally superior and entitled to power. There is also a concomitant oppression of sexual minorities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people by the heteronormative social regime. All these areas of academic interest point to the intimate intersection between power, gender and sexuality, which is reinforced by other axes of power and disempowerment, such as race and class, on the African continent and globally. There is an epistemological imperative to break free of outdated systems of thinking that disempower people on the basis of gender, and to create new, authentically African ways of thinking about gender that are more equitable.

The qualification will teach researchers the skills of conducting research according to feminist principles and in compliance with generally accepted protocols and procedures for social science research within the African context. These include: research design and approach, theoretical frameworks, sampling, data gathering practices, data analysis, extended research writing and compliance with academic conventions of referencing and citation. In addition, there are specific skills associated with research in gender studies, including respect for personal experience, designing research instruments in gender-sensitive ways and drawing on standpoint theory. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to generate new theories, from a specifically African perspective, about gender-related phenomena. The ethical considerations of research into gender-related phenomena also form an important part of the qualification as some gender-related phenomena involve research on vulnerable groups, whose confidentiality and well-being must always be safeguarded. While these skills are prominent in Postgraduate research into gender studies, they are also easily transferable to Postgraduate research in other disciplines and will provide the graduate with useful competencies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
All admission through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the institutions RPL Policy. The institution RPL office can supply full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment described in the notes to assessors. Institutions lecturers will act as assessors for RPL purposes. Candidates with reasonable experience of further training and working in the fields of gender change and transformation may be considered for RPL. The prospective student will be required to submit a portfolio of written and compiled materials containing evidence and substantiation. A decision will be made regarding the conditions under which the student may be accepted for enrolment.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements are:
A completed Bachelor Honours Degree or a 480-Credits Bachelor's Degree.
Or
A Postgraduate Diploma in any discipline with an average pass mark of 60% or above. Selection will be done by means of a research statement which all learners have to submit upon application. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.
  • Research proposal, 24 Credits.
  • Dissertation in Gender Studies, 156 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Design an acceptable research proposal to conduct empirical research independently.
    2. Execute an independent research project.
    3. Communicate the findings of the research effectively. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A complex and challenging research problem is identified within the field of gender studies.
  • A convincing and comprehensive validation is provided for the rationale and purpose of the chosen research project.
  • The research design and methodology are appropriate for the chosen research project and are concisely described.
  • A preliminary literature review is provided.
  • The research proposal is written and structured academically.
  • The citations are current and formatted according to the APA guidelines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    The rationale and purpose of the research is clearly explained:
  • The problem statement is unambiguous.
  • The research design and methodology are appropriate for the chosen research project and are followed.
  • Ethical guidelines are strictly adhered to in the gathering, analysis and dissemination of data.
  • The literature review is aligned to the problem statement, objectives, hypotheses and research questions.
  • The literature review is current.
  • The theoretical framework/conceptual framework is explained clearly.
  • The findings are accurately documented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The data is accurately documented and communicated.
  • The findings of the research are situated within the context of existing social and political conditions.
  • The research is contextualised within the field of existing knowledge in Gender Studies.
  • An extended research report is independently produced.
  • Appropriate Information and Communications Technology (ICT)s are used to analyse the findings.
  • The abstract theoretical and philosophical implications of the research are successfully explored.
  • Accepted conventions of academic referencing are followed.
  • The dissertation is written academically.
  • The dissertation is submitted on the due date.

    Intergraded Assessment:
    Approaches to assessment will be consistent with the academic standards as set out in the university assessment policies pertaining to Postgraduate studies.

    Formative Assessment is informally conducted by means of the learners submitting work to their supervisors and the supervisors providing feedback.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative Assessments will be conducted to assess the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes in the form of a research proposal.

    Dissertation:
    The Summative Assessment for the dissertation will be conducted by two independent examiners approved by the Head: Graduate Studies and Research in the College. Examiners are appointed according to the policies and procedures for Master's and Doctoral studies in the University of South Africa. The dissertation mark will contribute to the final qualification mark.

    The proposal will be internally examined and will contribute to the final qualification mark. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the modules offered.
  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a master's degree in Women's and Gender Studies. The qualification comprises 30 credits in coursework (15 of these in courses offered by the Department of Women's and Gender Studies). The remainder of the credits are made up by thesis. This is similar to the MPhil in Gender Studies, which also consists of a structured component and a dissertation, although the MPhil in Gender Studies does not include examinable coursework.
  • The School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London includes a Center for Gender Studies which offers an MPhil or PhD in Gender Studies. The MPhil in the United Kingdom is seen as a preparation for the PhD. It focuses mainly on methodological and theoretical concerns within the discipline of Gender Studies. This differs from the MPhil in Gender Studies, which cannot be completed without the successful submission of a dissertation. Upon satisfactorily reaching a certain stage of research, the student may transfer to the PhD.
  • The University of York in the United Kingdom offers a Master of Arts in Women's Studies, which may be studied over either one or two years. This consists of some core modules in feminist theory and methodology, which are examinable, and some optional modules, including a substantial independent research project. This is similar to the MPhil in Gender Studies in that it includes a compulsory orientation to relevant theory and methodology before the learner embarks on his/her independent research project.
  • University of York, UK: M.Phil in Gender Studies offered by the Centre for Women's Studies. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers the following horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • A cognate Master's Degree, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 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 South Africa 


    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.