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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116665  Master of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
North West 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 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  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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
113829  MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification helps learners to develop a more in-depth knowledge of the foundations of the disciplines they studied during their undergraduate and honours qualification, and thus prepares them for the Doctoral study in Philosophy. The competence and skills the learners will acquire analysis, interpretation, reconstruction, and critique. These skills and competencies will stand them in good stead in whatever profession each may follow since this competence will enable them to contextualise and react to philosophical problems in the workplace.

The purpose of this qualification is in line with the HEQSF criteria in that it aims to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of selected fields in Philosophy, which include methodological approaches and theoretical orientations applied to the South African context. The Exit Level Outcomes are constructively aligned with the stated purpose and planned assessment.

Rationale:
This qualification differs from the Master of Philosophy in Philosophy in that it consists of a 96-Credit course work component and an 84-Credit research component. According to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, the designator (i.e. Philosophy) for this qualification implies a strong theoretical base. However, the theory will not be the only concern of the qualification: The concept Philosophy implies a step beyond to the level of meta-theoretical content because the study in Philosophy usually offers insight in the foundations and context of the particular disciplines and world in which the learner will work and live. This qualification will give learners the advantage of the advanced critical and meta-theoretical insight that Philosophy offers as well as the development of the theoretical skills that give learners entrance to a Doctoral study in Philosophy. Fifty per cent of the qualification consists of a supervised research project on exit level that prepares learners for the research nature of a Doctoral qualification in Philosophy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The outcomes of this qualification can be achieved in part through recognition of prior learning in terms of the following criteria:

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
Learners will acquire Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if they can produce a Portfolio of Evidence to show that they meet the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria, obtaining the appropriate credits according to the assessment of the institution. Rules are governing the award of the qualification: Learners can present evidence in a variety of forms, including previous local or international Qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

RPL for admission implies an assessment of not only cognate knowledge and skills gained through work experience or other qualifications but to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to NQF Level 7. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL learner seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules and qualifications.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Philosophy Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Skripsie (FILM873), 84 Credits.
  • Philosophy (FILM878), 24 Credits.
  • Philosophy (FILM879), 24 Credits.
  • Systematic I (FILM880), 24 Credits.
  • Systematic II (FILM881), 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate the ability: for informed, independent, critical thinking to apply in-depth knowledge by using a variety of methods including historical debate, textual and literary analysis and philosophical discourse critically.
  • Perform appropriate library and online research utilised in professional and academic study.
  • Execute research about a philosophical problem (i.e. to identify, contextualise and develop a philosophical problem and answer to that problem by gathering the appropriate knowledge). Report on the research results in a scientific and scholarly way by way of a dissertation and oral communication supported by the use of applicable IT. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification employs both formative and summative assessments throughout the study. The assessment of learners will focus on the application of the skills they develop in the various sub-disciplines, mainly in the form of written assignments and examinations. The assessment of the research component of the qualification is in an integrated manner. The research proposal, which, after acceptance by the faculty board, will culminate in a mini-dissertation. The assessment of mastering knowledge, both disciplinary and research takes place, but also writing and communication skills, as well as computer literacy and IT skills.

    The qualification employs formative, summative and integrated assessments throughout the one year of study, in the form of writing as well as practical assignments, class tests and examinations in all the modules included in the qualification. The learners' skills at communicating orally and in written format, using appropriate IT, are also assessed, as well as her/his computer literacy. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Internationally, a Master of Philosophy qualification is mostly research (or thesis) only and is generally regarded as a senior or second Masters qualification, bridging from coursework to a Doctor of Philosophy. The awarding of the qualification to learners who have completed several years of original research but have not yet defended the dissertation. It can serve as a provisional enrolment for a Doctor of Philosophy qualification. In the United States universities award the qualification to Doctor of Philosophy. Learners when they complete their required coursework and qualifying examinations, but before the defence of a doctoral dissertation. Sometimes schools award the qualification to certify a learner as a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy qualification. In most United Kingdom institutions, completion of the qualification typically requires two years of full-time study or four years or more of part-time study and the submission of a thesis comprising a body of original research undertaken by the learners. Similar to the United States of America, some schools award the qualification to certify that the learner is a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree. It usually entails one year of coursework after completing the Master of Arts or Master of Sciences. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the qualification is a unique research qualification and only awarded by selected departments of an institution (mostly in the fields of Arts, Social Sciences, Archaeology, Philosophy and Theology). Admission to these qualifications is highly selective and primarily aimed at those learners opting for an academic career. After finishing this qualification, learners usually enrol for a Doctor of Philosophy qualification. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Philosophy, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. North West 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.