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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Medical Anthropology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86177  Master of Arts in Medical Anthropology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification will be to train health care practitioners and social science learners in the following: applied health research methods, the Anthropology/Sociology of epidemiology, Mental Illness in cross - cultural perspective, the Anthropology/Sociology of the body, Indigenous health care systems, Social dimensions of reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and social behaviour, Health care institutions, Cross cultural studies of chronic illness, Social sciences approach to violence and health, Culturally and context sensitive health promotion, qualification design and policy.

Rationale:
Medical Anthropology is one of the emerging areas of academic interest in South Africa, because it can inform so many different areas of transformation in our country and because of its growing importance in leading academic institutions. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learner's interest in Medical Anthropology and adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Anthropology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Master of Arts in Medical Anthropology (MA), NQF Level 8, 180 Credits.

    Learning components:
  • Mini Thesis.
  • Health and Medical Anthropology (advanced).
  • Research methods in Health Issues (advanced).
  • Contemporary Anthropology theory (advanced).
  • Contemporary Sociological theory (advanced). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Learners must be able to:
  • Understand the social source and distribution of health and illness.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the social and gender distribution of health and illness.
  • Obtain a clear understanding of selected contemporary health issues.
  • Critically analyse and compare contemporary health issues between different cultures.
  • Furthermore, the learner is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Medical Anthropology as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Continuous evaluation based on the prescribed evaluation format for each individual module, including assignments, field research and a mini thesis. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Qualification compares favourably with a similar masters qualification at the University of Amsterdam. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers possibilities of both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Public Health, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Public Health, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Arts in Public Health, 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 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 the Western Cape 


    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.