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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111713  Master of Arts 
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 02 - Culture and Arts  Cultural 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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip the learners with expertise in the Humanities and Social Sciences in such a way that they should demonstrate a high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution.

Rationale:
The qualification aim to provide advanced Postgraduate learners with the opportunity to contribute research-based (dissertation) knowledge in any of the approved areas of the discipline of the Humanities and Social Sciences. This given the context of the existing national priorities and need to provide trained personnel in the various health, educational and corporate environments. The occupational and career opportunities are diverse and are dependent upon the chosen specialisation of the learner. The qualification is offered at NQF Level 9 with articulation opportunities in cognate fields for Doctoral study. 

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 and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. 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:
  • A relevant Bachelor of Arts Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Equivalent qualification at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following elective Modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Elective Modules (Learners choose one of the options indicated below):
    English:
  • Dissertation (English), 180 Credits.

    Tshivenda:
  • Dissertation (Tshivenda), 180 Credits.

    Xitsonga:
  • Dissertation (Xitsonga), 180 Credits.

    Northern Sotho:
  • Dissertation (Northern Sotho), 180 Credits.

    Media Studies:
  • Dissertation (Media Studies), 180 Credits.

    Communication Studies:
  • Dissertation (Communication Studies), 180 Credits.

    Criminology:
  • Dissertation (Criminology), 180 Credits.

    History:
  • Dissertation (History), 180 Credits.

    International Politics:
  • Dissertation (International Politics), 180 Credits.

    Political Science:
  • Dissertation (Political Science), 180 Credits.

    Psychology:
  • Dissertation (Psychology), 180 Credits.

    Philosophy:
  • Dissertation (Philosophy), 180 Credits.

    Sociology:
  • Dissertation (Sociology), 180 Credits.

    Anthropology:
  • Dissertation (Anthropology), 180 Credits.

    Folklore Studies:
  • Dissertation (Folklore Studies), 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and be able to critique and evaluate current research or practices.
    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.
    3. Solve problems that plague the selected profession.
    4. Accesses, manages and produces information ethically in the context of the specialisation of the practitioner's profession.
    5. Show sensitivity 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:
  • Drafts a research proposal on an approved topic in the chosen specialisation that demonstrates the knowledge that the learner has integrated in the chosen specialisation.
  • Reflects on current and recent research in the field in the process of underscoring the process of researching the identified problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Drafts a research proposal of acceptable standard in line with the faculty guidelines for the chosen specialisation.
  • Produce a research dissertation of the required length and complexity that demonstrates the application of the research design to the identified problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Produces a research dissertation that reflects on current research, problem analysis and implementation of strategies to solve problems.
  • Accesses, manages and produces information ethically in the context of the specialisation of the practitioner's profession.

    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.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Properly contextualised and rooted research dissertation in the specialisation area.

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

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment takes place across all learning outcomes. Integrated in the form of a research dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to similar coursework Master's qualifications that are inclusive of a research project. Typically, examples of such qualifications that are found on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and the Australian Qualifications Framework and are pitched at Level 9, apply. Qualifications at Level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework that are second cycle qualifications (Master) in a relevant field are possible comparisons to this qualification.

    The Master of Arts by research, like other Master of Arts qualifications achieved solely by research, is achieved in specific specialisations that are aligned to the Institution. Similarly, the Master of Arts offered by the University of Melbourne in Australia is a two-year qualification requiring a 30,000-word dissertation in the selected specialisation for assessment. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Masters in Arts, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Arts, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
  • Master of Arts in Community Policing Management 
    		•

    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.