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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in African Languages 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
18946  Master of Arts in African Languages 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  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 
The qualification is designed to:
  • Provide a solid foundation in current research methods, analytical skills capacity for independent research work and identifying the social, and cultural of linguistic problems in society and find solutions to these problems.
  • Develop and further inculcate a sense of multilingualism, through comparative research in both language and literature with skills that could be employed in translation and interpreting especially from one South African.
  • Apply analytical skills and research methods to specific case studies affecting their communities, the country or continent and humanity at large. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
    In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

    Entry requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in African Languages, Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Language Studies, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Learners demonstrate the capacity to design, conduct and write dissertations that indicate their ability to identify and solve problems in language education and that have practical application in the social context.
    2. Learners demonstrate an understanding of scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques and appropriate technology.
    3. Learners demonstrate an understanding of literature related to the research problem.
    4. Learners demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically acceptable.
    5. Learners demonstrate competence in real methodological and conceptual skills, clarity of expression and development of argument, and sound judgement. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Write a research proposal that indicate that learners are able to identify a problem or problems in language, and formulate research problems and subsets of problems.
  • Formulate hypotheses.
  • Select and utilize research instruments that are relevant in the research of problems in language.
  • Select and use appropriate data analysis methods to interpret the findings of an investigation.
  • Report the findings of the investigation, and formulate recommendations that emanate from the findings.
  • Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the problem being researched.
  • Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources.
  • Search for literature on the identified research problem.
  • Compare the writings of different authors on the same related topic.
  • Synthesize reading material on the topic being researched.
  • Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies.
  • Create a theoretical framework provided by a literature.
  • Compile a complete bibliography.
  • Write a dissertation that shows that the learner can express him/herself clearly.
  • Write a dissertation that is linguistically correct, acceptable and of a high standard.
  • Write a dissertation that is technically well presented and has an acceptable layout.
  • Show evidence of real methodological and conceptual skills.
  • Show evidence of clarity of exposition and development of argument.
  • Show evidence of sound judgement.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This degree is by research. The final product is sent to two external examiners for evaluation.
  • Research proposal.
  • Dissertation.
  • Oral examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of African Languages, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics and African Languages, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in African Languages, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of Fort Hare 


    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.