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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94940  Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Not Applicable  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 this Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media qualification is to deliver learners who are able to critically view films in terms of both local and global, past and present cross-medial image traditions in the arts; to grasp the histories and theories surrounding film production and to self-reflectively integrate these forms of knowledge in their own research by producing a dissertation. Thus, it effectively integrates all the major strands of Film Studies: history, analysis, hermeneutics, theory and learners will mostly work independently, from planning the research project, taking the responsibility to regularly consult with the research supervisor, thus engaging in activities advocating mentorship and advancing scholarship.

Learners, with their acquired specialist knowledge, will be able to contribute, especially through their research, to the more sophisticated development of the growing film industry of South Africa.

Rationale:
This qualification is interdisciplinary as it draws from the expertise of a range of disciplines from the departments of Art History and Visual Culture Studies, Drama and Theatre Arts, English, German, Afrikaans and Music. Academic staff from these departments will collaborate in the teaching of and research in this qualification. The combination of varied skills offered by this qualification makes this qualification at this level unique in South Africa.

An interdisciplinary qualification at Master's level had to be developed, as there is a need to contextualise the moving image among other theories of the image, of interpretation theory, performativity and of the philosophies and history of images at NQF Level 9. Equally important, an in-depth analysis of film and video as aesthetic and cultural texts, as offered by this qualification, will enhance the sophisticated development of the current boom in the South African film industry. With the Department of History of Art and Visual Culture Studies' existing connections with the Rijks University of Groningen in the Netherlands, it will expose learners to international research in the field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied according to the institution's RPL policy where applicants do not meet the prescribed minimum admission requirements. Non-Honours learners who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to an Honours Degree may be permitted to register for the Degree, subject to the approval of the qualification committee.

Entry Requirements:
Admission into the Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media is subject to the General Institutional Rules and Regulations for Advanced and Postgraduate Qualifications. Prospective learners also have to meet the additional requirements from the Faculty of Humanities.

For admission to the qualification:
  • Learners must be in possession of a cognate Bachelor Honours Qualification or equivalent NQF Exit Level 8 qualification.
  • Candidates must have achieved a minimum of 65% for major field of study or specialisation at NQF Level 8 related to one or more of the following:
    > Theatre and Film Criticism.
    > Modern Theatre.
    > Literature.
    > Culture Studies and/or Visual Culture Studies.
    > History of Art.
    > Fine Arts. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is a Master's Degree by dissertation and comprises only one module, the research dissertation, at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, ethics, theories and analytical processes in relation to Film and Visual Media.
    2. Access, analyse, organise and critically evaluate existing knowledge.
    3. Engage in independent research and produce findings in the form of a research report from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies in the field of film and visual media. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A clear understanding of the context (including policy, legislation and global issues), is reflected in discussions where appropriate concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in Film and Visual Media are applied.
  • Appropriate application of the relevant concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in the field is reflected through presentations.
  • Critical analyses of written work within the field are displayed to show a degree of intellectual independence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Current literature and research are accessed, analysed, organised and evaluated systematically within film and visual media.
  • Evaluations demonstrate clear evidence of effective application of the principles of research practice in film and visual media is applied.
  • Conclusions and recommendations are justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The research inquiry is planned and conducted on the basis of a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.
  • Research themes are appropriately identified and demarcated.
  • Analyses of the research theme including a comprehensive and critical review of current literature and investigations is conducted.
  • Selected research methods, techniques and technologies show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and practice is shown.
  • Research reports of theoretical arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and recommendations is critically and coherently shown.
  • Research reports in extrapolating key findings, justifiable conclusions and making feasible recommendations is displayed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    To successfully complete the Master of Arts in Film and Visual Media, applied competence will be assessed through a research study resulting in the production of a dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Learners will or should be able to continue onto a Doctor of Philosophy in the humanities or a cognate field at this or another national/international institution. The Master's Degree is in line with similar qualifications offered by other institutions, such as the Rijks University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Moreover, due to the department's existing connections with the Rijks University of Groningen, learners will be exposed to international research in the field, in the form of exchange arrangements and possible international supervision.

    Columbia University School of the Arts Film offers a Master in Film Studies. The qualification is designed to consider current theoretical approaches and to look historiographically at trends such as the transition from film to digital media.

    University of Copenhagen offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Film and Media Studies. This qualification provides learners with broad and in-depth competencies for working with media and communication, also in intermedial contexts.

    Conclusion:
    The qualifications considered in this process encourage learners to consider the historic context of the discipline and develop a concept about today context. The qualification compares favourably with these international qualifications as they have the same focus. The learners apply their theoretical and practical knowledge of Visual and Media in the process to produce the thesis. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Successful completion of the Master of Arts (Film and Visual Media) enables both horizontal and vertical articulation with relevant cognate qualifications in the field of film and visual media:

    Horizontally:
    Master of Arts in Fine Arts at NQF Level 9.
    Master of Arts in Film Theory and Practice at NQF Level 9.

    Vertically:
    Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Studies at 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 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 Free State 


    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.