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

Master of Arts in Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73960  Master of Arts in Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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
4351  Master of Arts: Philosophy  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  256  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with:
  • Advanced research, reading and writing skills exemplified in the production of research essays that will empower them to understand, investigate, evaluate and create ideas, views and theories.
  • More advanced foundational knowledge of contemporary philosophical debates.
  • Advanced higher order reflective skills regarding analysis, interpretation and evaluation of concepts, ideas and theories. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Learners who do not meet the formal access rules, and who want to have their previous learning experience acknowledged in order to gain access to this qualification, or gain advanced placement in this qualification, or recognition of status in terms of this qualification with a view to proceeding with their studies at this institution, should apply in writing for Recognition of Prior Learning with the Head of the Department of Philosophy, who shall submit the application to the relevant faculty committee for consideration and assessment. In the submission, the learner should carefully state what s/he wants academic recognition for, and on what grounds.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Analyse, interpret and evaluate complex concepts, ideas, arguments, theories and philosophical texts.
    2. Design concepts, ideas, arguments and theories as responses to identified problematical ones.
    3. Reconstruct relevant overviews of philosophical debates / topics.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct research which can support the required skills and results for this level.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to communicate their thoughts in an accepted philosophical genre (e.g. research essays and a dissertation of limited scope (80 pages), or a dissertation of 150 pages).
    6. Demonstrate the use of logical, interpretation, critical thinking and knowledge assessment skills.
    7. Provide innovative solutions to specific social problems in the South African region by taking race, ethnicity, political issues, gender and multiculturalism into account;
    8. Search for and access appropriate resources employing a range of learning strategies and technologies within the field of Philosophy at an advanced level;
    9. Develop a responsibility towards other members of society.
    10. Display cultural and aesthetic sensitivity to people from different cultures based on theoretical knowledge and reflect on this process;
    11. Develop employment-seeking skills within the field of Philosophy;
    12. Explore entrepreneurial possibilities within the field of Philosophy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Can the learner reveal a knowledge of the rules and techniques of conceptual and critical analysis, and of interpretation?
    Is the learner able to argue the process and outcome of such an analysis or interpretation in a coherent and plausible way?

    2. Can the learner reveal a knowledge of the rules and techniques of conceptual and critical analysis, and of interpretation?
    Is the learner able to argue the process and outcome of such a design in a coherent and plausible way?

    3. Can the learner reveal a knowledge of the relevant facts, the interconnectedness of these facts, the development of trends which render such a survey possible?
    Is the learner able to narrate and/or argue such a survey in a coherent and plausible way?

    4. Is the learner able to write a research report/essay which:
  • Identifies the issue that needs clarification;
  • Argues a clarification;
  • Evaluates the available sources;
  • Recommends/reaffirms a possible solution?

    5. Is the learner able to write and present essays and a dissertation (of limited scope or a full length one) which:
  • Identifies the issue that needs clarification;
  • Argues a clarification;
  • Evaluates the available sources;
  • Recommends/reaffirms a possible solution?

    6. Can the learner reveal a knowledge of the rules and techniques of conceptual and critical analysis, and of interpretation?
    Is the learner able to formulate a defence or an objection to appoint made somewhere else, and argue the defence or the objection in a plausible way?

    7. Develop innovative solutions to the challenges and problems facing the Southern African region; is able to apply theoretical knowledge to the Southern African Region; at an advanced level; draws on his/her own experience; and takes race, ethnicity, political issues, gender and multiculturalism into account in the process;

    8. Is able to explore and reflect on learning skills and strategies appropriate to the context of Philosophy at an advanced level;
    9. Shows responsibility towards other members of society;
    10. Is able to display cultural and aesthetic sensitivity to people from different cultures; applies theoretical knowledge while doing this and is able to reflect on this process;
    11. Is able to develop employment-seeking skills within the field of Philosophy;
    12. Is able to identify and develop entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of Philosophy.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Learners are continuously assessed via research assignments, essays and presentations.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of learners being required to sit either one examination of three hours per module and a dissertation of limited scope (80 pages), or being required to write a full-length dissertation (150 pages). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Arts, NQF 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 
    This MA (Philosophy) with endorsement qualification is registered as a separate qualification only with SAQA. At the Department of Education it is not registered separately, but is included in the registration of the generic MA 

    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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.