SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Diploma: Music Theory FMusTCL 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
23598  Diploma: Music Theory FMusTCL 
ORIGINATOR
Trinity College London 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Higher Diploma  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Music 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 10105/14  2015-07-01  2018-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-06-30   2022-06-30  

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 
The purpose of this written diploma is to develop original research into a music/musicology field of study. The learner can present this in the form of a thesis with supporting materials, and can justify and expound upon this via a viva voce and a prescribed task in musical analysis. FMusTCL is a written diploma in which the standard is equivalent to the written-work component on completion of a full-time undergraduate course at a conservatoire or other Higher Education establishment.

This qualification meets the needs of the individual performer, whether professional or amateur, as well as of the music teacher and the music profession as a whole, and is created for the individual candidate to display his/her skills of communication in whatever specialised role chosen: performer, composer, director, practising musician, informed music-lover, musicologist, teacher, mentor or adjudicator.

In offering international assessments within arts education in South Africa, Trinity contributes in a modest way to the strength and vitality of a culture and economy which is key to the creative industries across South Africa and Africa as a whole. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates are required to have passed LMusTCL or an equivalent qualification, or present a body of work deemed sufficient in breadth and depth to indicate the ability to conduct creative and informed research before entering for this examination.

It is assumed that the learners accessing this qualification are competent in language, literacy and communication at NQF level 5. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The qualifying learner will:

1. Engage in a complex field of activity where they require substantial depth of understanding and abilities, involving planning, analysis, action and evaluation, including self-evaluation.
2. Conduct research into his/her own musical practice and produce systematic or creative approaches based on results.
3. Demonstrate the ability to frame problems effectively and design appropriate responses.
4. Demonstrate a profound level of creativity, originality, personal commitment and individual responsibility in all work.
5. Operate effectively in musically critical situations where success depends upon appropriate responses based on a high level of skill, judgement and insight. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
The qualifying learner will:
  • Demonstrate breadth and depth of conceptual understanding.
  • Demonstrate sector knowledge.
  • Compose material that demonstrates complexity.

    Distinction: An inspiring demonstration of concepts, capabilities and methodologies, which are fully informed by knowledge at the forefront of the discipline
    Pass: An excellent demonstration of concepts and methodologies combined with some knowledge which is at the forefront of the discipline
    Below Pass: Limited demonstration of the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding.
  • Demonstrate clarity of presentation and intent.
  • Demonstrate the suitability of purpose.
  • Display an appropriate selection of a range of approaches to communicate material.

    Distinction: An outstanding and intuitive presentation, involving the application of novel approaches in handling complex and unpredictable situations with precise intent.
    Pass: The ability to communicate with focused intent in highly critical situations where success depends on framing problems effectively to inform appropriate responses.
    Below Pass: Communicative intention not consistently clear or sufficiently well executed.
  • Demonstrate contextual awareness.
  • Demonstrate professional preparation and analysis.
  • Evaluate materials, sources etc to demonstrate reflective practice.

    Distinction: The ability to demonstrate a high level of skill, judgement and insight using creative approaches based on substantial research and reflective practice.
    Pass: The ability to demonstrate full responsibility in planning and managing substantial activities at a professional level with consideration of alternative perspectives and practices, and the implications of these.
    Below Pass: Weak demonstration of contextual awareness and needs.
  • Demonstrate ability to integrate the skills, knowledge and awareness covered in each unit.
  • Demonstrate the production and presentation of work that shows cohesion, spontaneity, creativity, individuality and personal investment.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment tests knowledge of notational conventions, understanding of musical structure, the basics of composition, awareness of musical styles and analysis based on a choice of set works. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Trinity's full range of grade and diploma examinations in music (Practical and Theory) have been formally accredited in England by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales (ACCAC) and Northern Ireland (CEA). The grade examinations are now recognised within the National Qualifications Framework according to the following chart, and can be built with confidence into music education programmes in the school curriculum, in the independent sector and in private tuition.

    This qualification is accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by QCA, ACCAC and CEA at Levels 4 and 5 in the UK National Qualifications Framework. The diploma is aligned with university and college standards and equates to expectations at the end of the first year of undergraduate study

    Trinity is also in contact with numerous agencies and government bodies worldwide, with the purpose of securing recognition of its qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Trinity level NQF level General Occupational Vocational:
  • FTCL/FMusTCL 5 Post-graduate degree NVQ Level 5
  • LTCL/LMusTCL/
  • ATCL/AMusTCL
  • 4 First degree NVQ Level 4
  • First Concert Certificate (Distinction)
  • Grades 6-8 Performer's Certificate
  • 3 Advanced A/AS level NVQ Level 3 Advanced GNVQ
  • Grades 4-5 First Concert Certificate (Pass)
  • 2 Intermediate GCSE grade A*-C NVQ Level 2 Intermediate GNVQ
  • Grades 1-3 1 Foundation GCSE grade D-G NVQ Level 2 Foundation GNVQ
  • Initial Entry Certificate of Educational Achievement 

  • MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All Trinity examiners and moderators are selected and trained according to strict procedures. Candidates for inclusion on a panel of examiners must be well-qualified professionals in the relevant field, have a sympathetic attitude towards candidates of all ages, and show evidence that they are able to work without compromising the standards expected by Trinity.

    All examiners are required to undergo regular scrutiny visits from the Chief Examiner or an appointed deputy and if an examiner is found to be out of line with the assessment standards of a panel, he/she will be retrained or may be required to leave the panel.

    Trinity's Assessment Consultant works with Chief Examiners and Senior Moderators across all disciplines to recommend adjustments and improvements to monitoring systems, train Chief Examiners where necessary in an appropriate level of statistical skills and awareness, and provide support on reliability issues. This includes ensuring that monitoring provides:
  • Overall analysis of results by examination or by unit.
  • Analysis of results by centre, examiner, country.
  • Analysis of results over time, identification of variations to normal patterns of results.
  • Identification of areas where remedy may be necessary through clearer criteria, better guidelines, training and standardisation of examiners, shadowing or joint examining. 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessment is carried out by external examiners selected and trained by Trinity. FTCL assessments are normally conducted by one examiner with a small percentage of examinations recorded for monitoring and quality control. All provisional marks given by examiners are subject to analysis on receipt at head office, before the issue of certificates. 

    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.
     
    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.