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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Music 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9117  Master of Music 
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand 
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  Music 
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 
There are two routes which can be followed to achieve the Master of Music:
A. Master of Music (by dissertation)
B. Master of Music (by coursework and research report)

Irrespective of whether route A or route B is taken, the purpose of the MMus is to produce a graduate who is able to:
  • produce a high level of professional and academic competence in music;
  • engage in sophisticated problem solving;
  • design and conduct appropriate research and work autonomously where necessary;
  • demonstrate an advanced critical awareness in appropriate disciplinary areas;
  • demonstrate leadership in professional relationships.

    The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by preparing him/her for a leadership position in an appropriate disciplinary area of music.

    Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce postgraduates who can contribute to the economy of South Africa by engagement as researchers and leaders in the field of Arts and Culture. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities:
    The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in the field of Music, or a Bachelor of Music degree, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline - consult the admission information of the University.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    BY DISSERTATION:

    1. The qualifying learner is able to access and process information using a range of technologies:
    1.1 use full range of terminology and key concepts in different disciplines in South African and international literature
    1.2 use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials methodologies
    1.3 show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding of own position in relation to debates within a text
    1.4 apply advanced competency in musicology.

    2. The qualifying learner is able to communicate and produce information using a range of technologies:
    2.1 show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content
    2.2 understand current debates and research findings required for dissertation.

    3. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving:
    3.1 apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline
    3.2 contribute to furthering understandings within the discipline
    3.3 demonstrate competence in basic disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area.

    4. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence:
    4.1 apply knowledge of research methods and their application
    4.2 apply an in-depth understanding of relevant literature
    4.3 apply advanced knowledge of musicological research methods and discography.

    5. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage her/himself:
    5.1 apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas for executing a research study
    5.2 possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed independent learning.

    6. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence:
    6.1 know when to seek academic interaction with others in order to test your own ideas or to gain stimulation
    6.2 apply advanced knowledge of music production management.

    7. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence:
    7.1 have an in-depth knowledge of the world eco-systemically.

    8. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and/or professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline):
    8.1 read independently and understand the concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline
    8.2 explore relate fields of enquiry as required by the dissertation
    8.3 apply professional competence in writing music.

    BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT:

    1. The qualifying learner is able to access and process information using a range of technologies:
    1.1 use full range of terminology and key concepts in different disciplines in South African and international literature
    1.2 use specialist primary and secondary research resources, materials methodologies
    1.3 show extensive in-depth meta-cognitive understanding off own position in relation to debates within a text
    1.4 apply advanced competency in musicology.

    2. The qualifying learner is able to communicate and produce information using a range of technologies:
    2.1 show sophisticated understanding of generic, academic, oral and written conventions for discipline-specific content
    2.2 understand current debates and research findings necessary for research report.

    3. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving:
    3.1 apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches to subject matter of discipline
    3.2 apply knowledge of range of problems and possible solutions within the field.

    4. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence:
    4.1 apply knowledge of research methods and their application
    4.2 apply an in-depth understanding of relevant literature
    4.3 apply advanced knowledge of discography.

    5. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage her/himself:
    5.1 apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility in generating ideas for executing a research study
    5.2 possess advanced knowledge needed for self directed independent learning.

    6. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence:
    6.1 understands group dynamics and roles and when to use them for desired outcomes
    6.2 demonstrates an awareness of diversity in other contexts
    6.3 apply advanced knowledge of music production management.

    7. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence:
    7.1 have an in-depth knowledge of the world eco-systemically
    7.2 have an understanding of the relationship between his/her discipline and others.

    8. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and/or professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline):
    8.1 understand and use the concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes which are accepted and/or contested in the discipline
    8.2 demonstrate competence in advanced disciplinary knowledge and specialised knowledge in focused area of research
    8.3 apply professional competence in writing music.

    Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

    a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 3 & 4.

    b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 6.

    c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 5.

    d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1.

    e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 2 & 4.

    f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2, 4 & 7.

    g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 7.

    h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 5.
  • (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 7; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
  • (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 6.
  • (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 5.
  • (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 7 & 8. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    BY DISSERTATION:

    The qualifying learner is able to:

    1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources
    1.2 Process and critically evaluate different kinds of data and texts
    1.3 Articulate own position within debates.

    2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout dissertation
    2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories discipline-specific information.

    3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches
    3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems
    3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives
    3.4 Demonstrate a professional ability to evaluate musical performance.

    4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research
    4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly dissertation in a satisfactory written style that contributes to the advancement of knowledge
    OR replicate an existing study in a different context
    OR design a circumscribed investigation.

    5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed resourceful scholar and researcher
    5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and age commitments.

    6.1 Demonstrate independence, initiative creativity, purposefulness and leaderships
    6.2 Demonstrate professional practical application of music production management.

    7. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm at an advanced level.

    8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to information and situations relating to the research project
    8.2 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field and articulate how the project is situated in relation to them
    8.3 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

    BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT:

    The qualifying learner is able to:

    1.1 Use sophisticated selection and search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources
    1.2 Find information in order to articulate own position within debates
    1.3 Use sophisticated critical evaluation of different kinds of data and texts
    1.4 Possess extensive, in-depth volume of texts and data across a wide range.

    2.1 Use appropriate written conventions and representational technologies to sustain clear coherent argument throughout research report
    2.2 Present effectively in oral form, ideas, theories discipline-specific information.

    3.1 Develop and critically examine innovative approaches
    3.2 Integrate information, theory and context to solve problems
    3.3 Critically evaluate limitations of different theoretical models and suggest alternatives
    3.4 Demonstrate a professional ability to evaluate musical performance.

    4.1 Assess significance of findings in published research
    4.2 Design, execute and write-up a scholarly research report in a satisfactory written style that contributes to the advancement of knowledge
    OR replicate an existing study in a different context
    OR design a circumscribed investigation.

    5.1 Show the ability to be a purposeful, self directed resourceful scholar and researcher
    5.2 Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of academic and age commitments.

    6.1 Solve problems effectively and demonstrate leadership, independence and purposefulness where appropriate
    6.2 Work constructively with diversity within a dynamic situation
    6.3 Demonstrate professional practical application of music production management.

    7. Plan, execute and evaluate research and practice within an eco-systemic paradigm at an advanced level.

    8.1 Apply concepts, methods, theories and analytical processes to information and situations relating to the research project
    8.2 Apply disciplinary knowledge to self-motivated enquiry
    8.3 Understand the connections and conflicts between writers in the field and articulate how the project is situated in relation to them
    8.4 Apply knowledge and methods from related fields, where necessary.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The dissertation or research report is a form of integrated assessment.

    ASSOCIATED VALUES

    BY DISSERTATION:

    The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to:

    1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

    2.1 Produce a dissertation which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual property (Bibliography)
    2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

    3.1 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge
    3.2 Recognise importance of applying knowledge and creating works in an ethically sensitive manner.

    4. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision making.

    5. Pursue excellence accountability and resourcefulness.

    6. Respect and value research participants and colleagues and what they have to offer.

    7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people
    7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

    8. Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline as they apply to the research project.

    BY COURSEWORK AND RESEARCH REPORT:

    The qualifying learner is aware of the importance of the need to:

    1. Commit him/herself to evaluate published research.

    2.1 Produce a research report which respects and acknowledges the ownership of intellectual property (Bibliography)
    2.2 Adhere to ethical standards of discipline applicable to research project.

    3.1 Be sensitive with regard to different ways of constructing knowledge
    3.2 Recognise importance of applying knowledge and creating works in an ethically sensitive manner.

    4. Commit him/herself to ethical research and responsible decision making.

    5. Pursue excellence accountability and resourcefulness.

    6. Commit him/herself to collaborative processes.

    7.1 Appreciate and deal sensitively with the multiple perspectives of people
    7.2 Value the ability to adapt and live with change.

    8.1 Adhere to the ethical standards of the discipline as they apply to the research project
    8.2 Be sensitive to the ethical implications of own practice. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Articulation possibilities with related
    This section specifies with which other qualifications of the University the qualification was designed to articulate, i.e. formal articulation; therefore the qualification can articulate informally with equivalent qualifications offered by the University, or with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally.

    Entry to the qualification:
    The applicant should have a Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree in the field of Music or a Bachelor of Music degree, which needs normally to have been achieved with a certain minimum percentage, or an equivalent University-approved qualification in a relevant discipline.

    Articulation during the qualification:
    The PGDA is an exit point from the Master of Arts (by coursework and research report). The holder of a PGDA has passed the coursework component of the Master of Arts but does not continue to the research report component of the MA.

    On completion of the qualification:
    A qualifying learner may normally proceed to PhD if the standard of research competence demonstrated by the research report or dissertation for the Masters degree suggests the required competence necessary for PhD research. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation options including the recommendation of a moderating body or bodies
    Internal University requirements govern how and by whom moderation is performed. For example, external examiners are appointed. Such moderation seeks, inter alia, to ensure that, where appropriate, our graduates will be able to comply with professional and statutory requirements. Further, whether an academic entity has a professional orientation or not, its activities are moderated by internal and external review quinquennially. The moderating body for qualifications of the University is the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education, currently represented by the Interim Higher Education Quality Committee. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal University quality requirements govern how and by whom assessment may be performed to ensure that assessors have the competence required to assess a qualification of this nature. Once the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education is constituted and ready to pronounce on issues of quality, the University will respond the HEQC guidance on the registration of assessors. In the interim, the academic staff of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are regarded as registered assessors since SAQA has registered the institution as a public higher education provider. 

    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. University of Witwatersrand 



    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.