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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96486  Master of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Philosophy. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose:
The purposes of the Master of Philosophy qualification are:
  • To equip students with a broad and multi or interdisciplinary understanding of central dimensions of a problem (complex) or phenomenon (cluster), from the perspective of the humanities (including the social sciences) or the SET environment.
  • To familiarise students with past and current attempts to generate a range of approaches to this problem (complex) or phenomenon (cluster), and to enable students to participate successfully in the search for solutions.
  • To prepare students to participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant problem (complexes) or phenomenon (clusters), and to convey their understanding about these to others.
  • To prepare students for independent self-study and research.
  • To produce individuals who have acquired a knowledge base that enables them to identify and help solve significant problems in the private and the public sectors.

    Rationale:
    The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) qualification is used for a variety of inter- and transdisciplinary programmes, with broad access to students who hold Exit Level 8 qualifications. Within Medicine and Health Sciences the MPhil qualification is also used to acquire specialisation into a subspeciality after having completed a Master of Medicine (MMed) qualification successfully. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Stellenbosch University has a comprehensive recognition of prior learning policy that is available on the University website.

    Entry Requirement:
  • Any qualification on Level 8 provide entry to the Master of Philosophy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Students either do a full thesis of 180 credits or a structured option with modules and a minimum of 60 Credits research totalling 180 Credits to obtain the qualification. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Participate in scholarly or public debates on the relevant problem (complexes) or phenomenon (clusters), and to convey their understanding about these to others.
    2. Through the understanding of the theoretical and trans-disciplinary dimensions, prepare and conduct an independent self-study and research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Master research skills and the logic of scholarly argument and the art of public debate.
  • Develop a capacity for theoretical, self-reflexive and critical thinking, and solving of problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to think in terms of theory, as an instrument for understanding reality.
  • Develop the ability to work systematically and independently in approaching and solving abstract and complex problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present and challenge scholarly positions in forums/publications of substance.
  • Identify and apply criteria of relevance and significance pertinent to various contexts of inquiry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Show broad knowledge of the theoretical, methodological, and/or the practical traditions relevant to a particular problem (complex) focused upon in a specific programme.
  • Be familiar with the academic, ethical and/or professional standards in the disciplines dealing with the relevant issues.
  • Identify and critically analyse the relevant dimensions of a specific problem (complex) or phenomenon (cluster) or professional field.
  • Critically appraise accepted solutions to the relevant problems by identifying and evaluating the assumptions on which they rest.
  • Develop and apply, in a self-critical way, new/more adequate solutions to these problems.
  • Report findings in the appropriate scholarly format.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment is accomplished by examining a thesis or a series of interrelated assignments that reflect the desired outcomes. The thesis or series of assignments represents an integrated summation of the level of knowledge and insight gained by the successful student as well as of his/her academic and communicative abilities. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Philosophy is internationally comparable with a similar MPhil degree at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom as well as universities in Australia such as Macquarie University and the University of Queensland. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification serves as an entry point to a Doctor of Philosophy. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Master of Philosophy in Applied Ethics
  • Master of Philosophy in Chaplaincy Studies
  • Master of Philosophy in Communicable Diseases
  • Master of Philosophy in Environmental Management
  • Master of Philosophy in Futures Studies
  • Master of Philosophy in Information and Knowledge Management
  • Master of Philosophy in Music Technology
  • Master of Philosophy in Religion and Culture
  • Master of Philosophy in Science and Technology Studies
  • Master of Philosophy in Social Science Methods
  • Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development (replacing the Master of Philosophy in Sustainable Development Planning and Management) 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.