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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in African Languages 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111457  Master of Arts in African Languages 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   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
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 qualification provides training in African languages in literary and language disciplines of specialisation, and in research methodology to equip the learner with, the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of fields or for further independent research in the same or a related subject area. The mini-research dissertation must reflect professionalism in research expertise and skill within the African Languages Field. Qualifying learners will have an appropriate depth knowledge and mastery of methods and approaches in the study of one of the languages offered. With specialisation in semantics and three subjects taken from Morphology, Prose, Poetry, Translation, and Sociolinguistics learners may prepare themselves for focussed career options in education, government and the private sector.

Rationale:
The qualification is aligned to the national priority of providing improved and expanded provision of educational services through specialisation in regional African languages in Limpopo as well as the provision of job creation and sustainable livelihoods. The qualification caters to learners wishing to specialise in one of the Sepedi, Xitsonga or Venda languages in literature and language. Typically, learners may be practicing teachers wishing to achieve a qualification at NQF Level 9 to further develop their careers or offer opportunities of further specialisation. The qualification contributes to furthering academic development in three of the indigenous languages in the country. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in African Languages, Level 8.
    Or
  • Relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 200 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, 128 Credits:
  • Mini-Dissertation (African Languages), 100 Credits.
  • Semantics, 28 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 72 Credits (Select three):
  • Morphology, 24 Credits.
  • Prose, 24 Credits.
  • Poetry, 24 Credits.
  • Translation, 24 Credits.
  • Sociolinguistics, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices that are pertinent to the specialisation area.
    2. Demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems in the specialisation area.
    3. Solve problems in the field of chosen specialisation.
    4. The learner accesses, manages and produces information ethically in the context of the specialisation practitioner's profession.
    5. The learner is sensitive to and understands the contexts and systems of the profession.
    6. Manages his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in the field of specialisation.
  • Debate complex issues orally and in writing.
  • Display specialised knowledge in a critical and comparative manner, depending on the particular field of focus in the courses selected.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The learner drafts a research proposal of acceptable standard in line with the faculty guidelines for the chosen specialisation.
  • A research mini-dissertation of the required length and complexity is produced that demonstrates the application of the research design to the identified problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The learner produces a research dissertation that reflects on current research, problem analysis and implementation of strategies to solve problems.
  • Solutions to problems posed in the assessment of the structured part of the course are indicative of the learner's mastery of the complexities that characterise the field of specialisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The research dissertation contributes to the understanding, analysis and resolution of identified research areas in an ethically appropriate manner, aligned to the requirements for ethical knowledge production.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Responses to assessment tasks in the structured part of the course, as well as the research mini-dissertation, are properly contextualised and rooted in the specialisation area.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The learner applies him/herself to the researching and writing of the mini-dissertation in the prescribed time frame.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessments are based on Formative Assessments which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to learners and Summative Assessments which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to similar coursework Master's Degrees that, focus on an African language and are inclusive of a research project. Due to the geographic and regional confinement of the languages in question the Degree does not have comparable Degrees in the same languages at other international universities outside of South Africa. However, the Degree compares well with similar qualifications on the Australian, New Zealand and Namibian National Qualification Forums which, follow a 10 Level structure, with Master's Degrees in indigenous languages offered at Level 9. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Relevant Masters qualifications, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, 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.