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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Drama and Performance Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81240  Master of Arts in Drama and Performance Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  Performing Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  640  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 purpose of a programme in Drama Studies is to equip students with a broad understanding of the nature and function of theatre and drama in relation to society and with specific and detailed knowledge of selected areas of historical and contemporary theatrical and dramatic practice. Practical and creative competence, investigative and critical analysis, as well as effective communication are all stressed. A particular focus is on the use of drama for education and development and the programme is designed to enable students to create work both in community development and education and in the professional theatre. The programme also aims to engender the development of community arts. Apart from its vocational purpose this programme encourages students to think of themselves as social beings who need to be able to analyse critically the cultural artefacts which surround them and which mediate their understanding of themselves and their society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation exemption with 30 matric points or more, or Dean's discretion and/or Senate exemption from matriculation requirements. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The achievement of this qualification means that the learner can:
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using oral, written, visual and dramatic skills.
  • Use culture and dramatic arts effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards society and communities.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Identify and solve problems in a responsible and creative manner.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsible and effectively. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Evidence generated through assessment tasks shows that the learner can:
  • Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
  • Work effectively with others.
  • Organise and manage their learning activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively, in written, spoken and presentational forms.
  • Demonstrate a holistic understanding of the world and the interconnectedness of its problems.
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
  • Be self-conscious learners.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of contexts.
  • Be able to develop entrepreneurial opportunities.


    Integrated assessment:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification
    Modules within the programme are independently assessed in both formative ways (through class work, tests, essays, other written work and, where appropriate, practical exercises) and summative ways (written, oral and practical examinations). In some cases, journals, oral presentations and portfolios of work provide additional forms of assessment

    Final assessment will be done in two ways:
  • the overall tabulation of the results obtained during the programme will show that the candidate has achieved the required outcome competencies of the programme;
  • a defined portfolio that the student will assemble during the last two semesters of study and present at the end of their studies. This portfolio will be designed to assess students' competence across a range of relevant tasks and will include both further exploration of issues related to the programme as well as critical reflection on the learning in which they have participated.
    In the case of the postgraduate programme the substantial research component constitutes a summative test of the candidates capabilities in the discipline concerned. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This programme may articulate with the
  • B.A. General Studies
  • B.A. Literacy Studies
  • B.A. African Studies
  • B.A. Visual Arts
  • Courses in development 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under Assessor Criteria will suffice. All senior level modules are subject to external examination. Because all our courses have a practical as well as a theoretical component the external examiners habitually visit this campus and engage in detailed feedback to both staff and students. Staffs keep in contact with colleagues both nationally and internationally through attendance at conferences and are members of the Association of Drama Departments of South Africa. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staffs are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification, are externally examined. 

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

    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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.