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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94621  Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Performing Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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 is to enable learners to conduct independent, novel research either within a specific discipline or in a cross-disciplinary manner in programmes offered within the faculty. Learners will need to complete a rigorous and peer-reviewed independent practice-based empirical research project underpinned by high quality research training in an interdisciplinary visual communication environment.

The qualification aims to provide qualifiers with:
  • In-depth knowledge through an independent investigation of a specialised area in visual and performing arts.
  • The ability to make an original contribution, apply theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches in the field of visual and performing arts through the generation of new knowledge.
  • The proven ability to write scientific research papers for peer-reviewed visual and performing arts journals.

    The outcome of this doctoral qualification is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the field of Visual and Performing Arts with the development of specialist expert knowledge in this field thereby promoting professional practice.

    Rationale:
    The focus of the Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts qualification is to provide learners with an opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation. This research to be taken needs to take into account, the needs of the University and the country, and in alignment with international trends and standards in response to the needs of the community, business and industry. Furthermore, this doctoral qualification will provide a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the field of Visual and Performing Arts and developing specialist expert knowledge in this field in order to promote professional practice.

    Thereby it will contribute the development of the field of Visual and Performing Arts and thus develop highly skilled researchers and promote the career advancement of learners in the field of Visual and Performing Arts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will be used for access into this doctoral qualification. The Doctor of Philosophy in Visual and Performing Arts will not be awarded via the RPL route. The assessment of an applicant's previous non-formal, informal learning and experience to determine the extent to which this meets the required learning outcomes, competency outcomes, or standards for entry or access into a doctoral level study will be applied. The relevance, depth and extent of an applicant's prior learning will be evaluated by a panel of peers and educators, as per the DUT RPL Policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement for entrance to the qualification is a Master's qualification in Visual and Performing Arts, or in a related field. The applicant should be able to demonstrate experience of research and of having written it up in a dissertation in an acceptable format. In addition, eligible students must have attained a minimum pass rate of 60% and above in the Research Master's Degree of the area of specialisation. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This is a Postgraduate qualification at NQF Level 10, in which all 360 Credits are for research. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to conceptualise, design, and manage original research in a chosen specialised area within the overall field of the Visual and Performing Arts, leading to new knowledge and documented in a thesis.
    2. Ability to make original contributions to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in the Visual and Performing Arts in general and the chosen specialised area in particular.
    3. Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development appropriate to the specialisation.
    4. Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the ethics and responsibilities of research and practice appropriate to the chosen specialisation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A research project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the chosen discipline is identified, conceptualised, designed and implemented.
  • A critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies in the chosen area is demonstrated; self-reflection, knowledge, theory and research methods is applied creatively to complex practical and theoretical problems; and the project design is adjusted if necessary in the light of unforeseen problems.
  • Significant original insights into new, complex and abstract ideas, information or issues are developed and advanced expertise and critical knowledge in that field is demonstrated.
  • New knowledge through substantial original research, resulting in the interpretation and expansion of knowledge in the visual and performing arts field is created and interpreted which satisfies a peer review, in order to extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication in a form relevant to the field.
  • A thesis that meets international standards of scholarly writing is produced, and which may include and report on a body of applied creative work, which in turn the close integration, and reflexivity of practice and theory is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Scholarly debates in the area of specialisation is engaged with, as evidenced by inter alia: participation in relevant conferences, seminars, or workshops.
  • Creative work including but not limited to artworks, performances, choreography, models, designs, film or video material, electronic and/or online content, prototypes, exhibitions, etc, as appropriate to the chosen specialisation is produced and applied.
  • Substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable written work that meets international academic standards is produced, which is considered original or innovative by peers, and makes a significant contribution to the student's field.
  • Research and/or creative outputs in oral, written, visual and/or electronic forms to a range of professional and lay audiences by means of a communication strategy developed by the student is effectively communicated and presented.
  • Opportunities for entrepreneurial or public impact activity are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Intellectual and creative independence and research leadership through managing advanced research and development in the visual and performing arts field in a professional and ethical manner is demonstrated.
  • A comprehensive and systematic understanding of the body of knowledge in the chosen field of visual and performing arts with development of new expertise and specialist knowledge in an area that is at the forefront of the chosen area of specialisation is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Research and governance requirements related to conducting research and practice in visual and performing arts environments is anticipated and managed effectively.
  • Ethical issues in the conduct of research are identified and managed, and issues of social cultural and economic diversity are respected.
  • Environmental and health and safety issues that arise from the effective and sustainable use of resources in the research domain is anticipated and managed effectively.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This is a Postgraduate research qualification, and so both formative and summative assessment are integrated, through personal and individual supervision of research and in the final thesis, which as the output of the research will integrate all the outcomes of the study for assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparative analysis was conducted to establish comparability between the qualification offered by Durban University of Technology and two international qualifications offered in Australia and Sweden. The following criteria used to assess the comparability of the foreign qualifications which included the following:
  • Access requirements.
  • Learning outcomes.
  • Assessments used.

    The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Visual or Performing Arts is a qualification offered at the University of Melbourne in Australia. This is a 3 year full time qualification which involves a substantial piece of original and independent research, which is conducted under expert academic supervision and in a research environment. The PhD is a programme of independent creative arts research, for which both traditional and practice-led PhD research modes are offered. A "traditional" doctoral thesis takes the form of a written dissertation of approximately 80,000-100,000 words. In the creative arts, a PhD thesis may take the form of performance and/or corpus of creative work, plus a dissertation of 40,000 words which aims to address, elucidate and contextualise the work.

    Entry into this Degree requires an Honours or Master's Degree with demonstrated evidence of a research component or equivalent. Entry to the PhD is determined by the merit of a research proposal and support material to the field of research (publications, performances, films, exhibitions, recitals etc.).

    At the University of Gothenburg in Sweden the doctoral qualifications for Visual and Performing Arts have many fields such as Design, Digital Representation, Arts Education, Independent Filmmaking, Fine Arts, Literary Composition, Poetry and Prose, Performance in Theatre and Music Drama, Musical Performance and Interpretation.

    The goals of doctoral education are to develop the knowledge and skills required in order to be able to independently pursue research and also contribute to knowledge development in the subject by producing a scholarly dissertation. Doctoral education shall develop the doctoral student's communicative and pedagogical skills so as to express him or herself well in speech and writing both within and outside of academic contexts. The doctoral student shall even have acquired the knowledge to plan, lead and carry out research projects.

    Entry Requirements:
    In order to be admitted to the doctoral qualification, the applicant is required to fulfil the criteria for the general and the specific entry requirements. The general entry requirements is if the student has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 higher education credits of which at least 60 higher education credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

    Specific entry requirements for the subject Design are:
  • At least 120 higher education credits (or the equivalent) in subjects that are considered to have relevance to doctoral studies in any area chosen, or equivalent knowledge.
  • A documented specialisation of study including subjects oriented towards relevant issues within the subject.
  • an independent project (thesis) of at least 30 higher education credits (or alternatively several projects, which, together, are the equivalent of, or are considered to be the equivalent of 30 higher education credits) in a subject that is considered to have relevance to doctoral studies in the chosen field.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with the two in terms of the access requirements, learning outcomes and assessment. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical access from this programme is possible to Postdoctoral programmes in related fields of study, although the Doctor of Philosophy is normally a terminal qualification. Horizontal access is possible to doctoral programmes in related fields of study at other higher educational institutions - national and internationally. 

    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 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.