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:

Master of Fine Art

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7971	Master of Fine Art
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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		Visual Arts
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 MFA is an advanced course for students of exceptional ability. The course objectives are to enable such students who have gained the Bachelor of Fine Art degree to further refine their ideas, technical abilities and powers of self-analysis in order to continue to develop in artists.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates are not normally admitted to the MFineArt unless they are in possession of a Bachelor of Fine Art degree.

Persons who are able to give satisfactory evidence of their qualifications (formal or informal) may be specially exempted from the normal entrance requirements for the degree and may register as Ad Eundem Gradum students.

Candidates should be able to communicate in English.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Candidates are granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the recognition of prior learning and experience.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. The MFA graduate is competent to apply specialist artistic knowledge and skills to the initiation, planning and production of advanced art works in the professional art world environment.

2. Communicate effectively.

3. Co-operate with others to pursue the common good.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ever-expanding and ever-changing nature of knowledge and appreciate the need for life-long learning.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. In order to meet this outcome MFA graduates are able to meet the following criteria:

Demonstrate an advanced capacity for independent thinking and analysis.

Display a sophisticated understanding of contemporary art making, within the context of the individual's art practice.

Have an advanced understanding of appropriate area (or areas) of critical theory within which the subject of the work is located.

Demonstrate the capacity to undertake research in art history and related theoretical areas.

Demonstrate a capacity for sustained periods of self-directed visual investigation.

Be highly skilled in an appropriate art medium or media.

Be competent in the organisation and mounting of exhibitions.

Be familiar with the professional structure of galleries and other art world institutions as well as grant awarding bodies and cultural wings of national and local government.

Exhibit the capacity for independently initiated self-criticism and analysis.

Display professionalism and sophistication in the execution and exhibition of art works.

2. In order to meet this outcome, learners will:

Use oral and written forms of language appropriately and effectively;

Present material/construct arguments in an organised and articulate manner;

Use appropriate technology to facilitate communication;

Demonstrate sensitivity to the multi-cultural and multi-lingual nature of South African society.

3. In order to meet this outcome, learners will:

Work as a member of a team or group;

Recognise and acknowledge different perspectives and values;

Be aware that judgements have moral and ethical implications and will act accordingly where appropriate.

4. In order to meet this outcome, learners will:

Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of their own knowledge;

Demonstrate an awareness of human fallibility;

Search for and find relevant information;

Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research in academic enquiry as well as an awareness of a range of research approaches and techniques;

Be able to apply basic research techniques under guidance.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

1. Assessment procedures adhere to Rhodes University Assessment Policy.

2. Assessment entails three elements.

Continual formal assessment both formative and summative

Continual informal assessment (formative)

Formal end of course assessment (summative)

The course work on which continuous assessment is based includes work done individually and in groups, and may consist of combinations of tests, essays, practical reports and seminars.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

1. Candidates with credits from other universities may be given credit for equivalent courses at Rhodes Universities and may be able to complete a degree in less than the minimum three years.

2. Similarly, learners with credits from Rhodes University may be able to move to any other university in the country where they may be given credit for equivalent courses at that university.

3. The programme is designed so that learners may proceed in a variety of different directions at the end of their first year.

4. Learners with a Masters in Fine Art may be able to continue with a PhD degree in Fine Art.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Internal and external examiners are used.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Academic staff of Rhodes University will be used as assessors. They will preferably have a PhD, but staff with a Master's degree and appropriate experience are acceptable. In exceptional cases an Honours degree with extensive experience will be acceptable.

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.	Rhodes University