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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Creative Writing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111294  Master of Arts in Creative Writing 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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  Literature 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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 the Master of Arts in Creative Writing is to provide learners within the field of languages and literature with writing skills to be able to become authors of fiction and/or poetry, and obtain a formal Postgraduate qualification in Creative Writing.

Creative writing is predominantly a vocational course; so learners will have learned how to present creative ideas and express them in words. Ordinary Master Art's dissertations focus exclusively on literary analysis (the essay part of the Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Writing) or a particular aspect of linguistics. Other skills associated with an MA in Creative Writing, include: creative thinking and problem solving; independent working; time management and organisation; Information Technology (IT) skills; planning and researching written work; presentation skills; negotiation skills and especially editorial and proof reading skills.

Rationale:
A logical development would thus be for learners to pursue their Creative Writing interests by continuing to study it at Postgraduate level. As such, subsequent to completion of an Honours Degree in a chosen language, opportunities for specialisation in creative writing at the MA level is needed. Presently, no formal MA qualification in Creative Writing is offered at the institution, as a result, learners with a deep interest in Creative Writing have been obliged to register for an MA in one of the languages, and only submit their creative works as addendums to existing dissertations. There is thus evidently existing demand, as well as strategic need for the establishment of a Master of Arts in this field.

Another reason for starting the MA in Creative Writing is its proposed incorporation of isiXhosa. Most existing Creative Writing courses in South Africa focus only on writing in English and/or Afrikaans, and yet it is essential that isiXhosa be included to broaden the scope and promote multilingualism in universities.

Career opportunities for someone with a Degree in creative writing include, becoming a full-time writer of a particular genre; working as a copywriter in advertising; working as an editor who edits and prepares a variety of documents or becoming a publisher's assistant who reads and evaluates manuscript. Other opportunities are that of proof-reader, freelance writer or literary agent. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Institution RPL policy will be followed. In addition, the following criteria will be used if learners do not meet the formal requirements:

Learners without the required Honours Degree may, at the discretion of the institution, be admitted to the Master of Arts (MA) on the basis of their extensive publishing history. They will have to provide the institution with a portfolio with examples of their publications, accompanied by a record of their publications. The submitted works will also be assessed formatively. The final decision on whether or not the portfolio material meets with the requirements will be determined by the institution.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Language Practice, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module: 180 Credits:
  • Literary work and Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Engage in independent research and present findings in the form of a structured dissertation on a problem or need related to Creative Writing.
    2. Conduct research in Creative Writing.
    3. Produce a conference paper or journal article on the research outcome. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A successful research project was executed in the field of Creative Writing.
  • The minimum criteria for a dissertation were adhered to.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The minimum criteria for a conference paper or journal article were adhered to.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For the Master Art in Creative writing, the literary work (manuscript) will count 50% and the reflective essay will count 50% of the final mark. In the dissertation the learner must demonstrate how the scholarly work (in the reflective essay) informs, elucidates and expands upon the creative work. Both will be assessed formatively.

    The skilful presentation of the literary work will be assessed primarily on the major qualities of creative language (image, characterisation, voice and story). Assessment types: Interim Assessment in the form of regular feedback on student's work; formative assessment of the entire project and summative assessment when the project is also assessed by an external examiner.

    The dissertation (both the report and the literary work) will be assessed by an external moderator. Ideally it should be someone involved in the teaching of creative writing or someone within the field of publishing. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following international qualifications were compared:

    The MFA in Creative Writing is offered at New York University, USA. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing is designed to offer learners an opportunity to concentrate more intensively on their writing and to choose, from a wider selection, those courses that will best help them develop as writers. The M.F.A. qualification does not have a foreign language requirement. This qualification is recommended for learners who may want to apply for creative writing positions at colleges and universities, which often require the M.F.A. degree.

    The M.A. Professional and Creative Writing is offered at Central Washington University, USA. This Online Professional and Creative Writing MA qualification provides mentorship from award-winning writers working in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Additionally, the qualification provides learners opportunities to hone their professional writing skills with topics drawing from fields such as rhetoric and persuasive writing, research methods, and advanced technical writing and documentation. The emphasis is on both coursework and a thesis project. In this qualification the emphasis is only on the process and product.

    MA in Creative Writing, is offered at Manchester, UK. At the Centre for New Writing, learners will get the opportunity to have a piece of fiction or poetry published in The Manchester Anthology when they graduate. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Arts and Social Sciences, 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.