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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Music in Music Composition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117733  Master of Music in Music Composition 
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 02 - Culture and Arts  Music 
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 primary purpose of this Master of Music in Music Composition by coursework and mini-dissertation is to educate and train composers and researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Music Composition and research at an advanced level.

Learners will be trained to reflect critically on the praxis of Music Composition and to be able to deal with complex issues within the field both systematically and creatively, design and critically appraise research, make a sound judgement using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Rationale:
This qualification will create opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, valuable economic activity and contributions to the community in the fast-developing music industry in South Africa through advanced education and study.

The qualification will supply South Africa with developing music composers who have the necessary theoretical background and are capable of practical skills, with specialisation and craftsmanship in a recognised sub-discipline within the music industry. This will further contribute to the expansion of the leadership base for innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholastic activity in the country.

This qualification is further intended to educate and train researchers to actively and appropriately contribute in the development of new knowledge in the field of music as it provides an opportunity for the articulation to doctoral studies in the field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualifications. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution RPL policy. The process will be managed by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place. Learners will be assessed against NQF Level 8 competencies.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Composition Portfolio 1, 40 Credits.
  • Composition Portfolio 2, 40 Credits.
  • Composition Portfolio 3, 40 Credits.
  • Mini-dissertation, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes steered insight, to solve complex practical and theoretical problems when composing;
    2. Use a variety of specialised skills and methods of enquiry through a synthesis of material and procedures of analyses of own works to address complex and challenging problems when composing;
    3. Apply specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique current processes in the field of music composition and to evaluate own composition and works by other composers to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of music composition to build the insight necessary for the improvement of own compositions;
    4. Make autonomous ethical decisions which affect the creation of a composition;
    5. Develop his or her composing strategies, which sustain independent learning and professional development as a composer. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner:
  • Design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques and processes to solve complex practical and theoretical problems when composing are used;
  • Use a variety of specialised skills and methods of enquiry through a synthesis of material and procedures of analyses of own works to address complex and challenging problems when composing;
  • Engage with and critique current processes in the field of music composition, and evaluate own composition and works by other composers to choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of music composition to build the insight necessary to improve own compositions;
  • Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within a music research field, discipline or practise;
  • Generate an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights within a specialised music research context.
  • Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production;
  • Demonstrate the development of ethical standards in a specific music research context;
  • Use the resources of academic and professional discourse to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of music research;
  • Demonstrate advanced and specialised research skills and discourses appropriate to a music field, discipline or practise to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or/and expertise.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment will be undertaken through projects, assignments and portfolios during the year in the Composition Portfolio modules. Learners will submit all three portfolios and a mini-dissertation or peer-reviewed article on discrete research that was conducted under supervision by the end of the study period. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Spain
    Institution: Ray Juan Carlos University
    Qualification Title: Master in Music Creation and Interpretation

    This qualification is similar to the Master in Music Creation and Interpretation offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    Both qualifications share similar aims with a particular focus of promoting the investigation of musical creation and interpretation from a multidisciplinary and performative perspective. They both share a similar interest in stimulating the development of musical creation, in particular, and artistic, in general, as well as other nearby areas such as program management, promotion, dissemination and criticism.

    Both qualifications have a similar curriculum structure of coursework and research which is intended to contribute to research in various fields of science and knowledge that provide new elements in the preparation not only musical but physical interpreters such as psycho-acoustics, anatomy and biomechanics. However, the course duration for both qualifications differ. While this qualification is offered in the course duration of 1-2 years full-time, the Master of Music Creation and Interpretation of the Ray Juan Carlos University is offered in just 1-year. Eligibility for both qualifications is a Bachelor's qualification in music. However, the bachelor's qualifications may be of different level depending on the education systems of the different countries.

    It can be concluded that this Master of Music in Music Composition compares favourably with the Master in Music Creation and Interpretation offered by the Ray Juan Carlos University. However, this qualification is unique as its design is greatly influenced by the South African context.

    Country: Netherlands/Holland
    Institution: Zuyd University
    Qualification Title: Master of Music

    This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
    Both qualifications share a similar purpose, course duration, curriculum structure and admission requirement. In both qualifications, there is interest (purpose) in training professional musicians to the highest calibre who are capable of functioning in a wide variety of professional situations. The curriculum of both qualifications is designed as coursework and research to develop research skills, communication, collaboration, and deepen methodological and pedagogical knowledge. Both qualifications are offered in a course duration of 1-2 years full-time. Eligibility for admissions in both qualifications is a Bachelor's qualification in music. However, the levels and duration of the Bachelor's qualifications may differ across institutions.

    It can be concluded that this Master of Music in Music Composition compares favourably with the Master in Music offered by the Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. However, this qualification is unique as its design is greatly influenced by the South African context. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Music in Music Performance, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Music in Musicology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Music in Music Composition, NQF 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. 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.