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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Chinese 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99763  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Chinese 
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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
Honours Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Language 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  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 qualification is to contribute to the number of graduates in South Africa who are able to demonstrate high levels of proficiency in Mandarin which is the main language in China and who, in addition, are able to demonstrate an understanding of the culture from which the language emerges and in which it is used. In addition, the qualification aims to contribute to the research capacity in South Africa whereby learners will complete a research project of 30 Credits.

Rationale:
Chinese Studies at Honours level will open up career and study opportunities for graduates. As South Africa is now part of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) block of nations, it is expected that the interaction between South Africa and the Orient will gradually increase in the foreseeable future. This will inevitably result in the creation of work opportunities requiring knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. In addition to opening up opportunities for work, an honours level qualification in Chinese could also be expected to prepare learners for further study opportunities in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania where universities offer numerous programmes in Asian and Oriental Studies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Candidates will be granted credit for equivalent prior learning and experience as determined by the University rules governing the RPL and experience. RPL is also used to grant access to the qualification as laid down in the University's RPL rules.

Entry Requirement:
The minimum entrance requirement is:
  • A Bachelor's Degree with Chinese as a major subject. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules: 90 Credits:
  • Upper Intermediate Chinese, 30 Credits.
  • Advanced Chinese, 30 Credits.
  • Research, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules: 30 Credits (Choose one):
  • Classical Chinese, 30 Credits.
  • Chinese for Specific Purposes, 30 Credits.
  • Chinese Culture, 30 Credits.
  • Classical Chinese Philosophy, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Use Mandarin to communicate orally (by speaking and listening) in a range of situations with a high level of fluency and spontaneity such that the language use is perceived as requiring little effort.
    2. Read a wide range of texts written in Mandarin recognising implicit meanings.
    3. Produce well-structured, accurate texts in Mandarin on a range of topics.
    4. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the way Mandarin is reflective of the context in which it is used.
    5. Plan and execute a small research project of limited scope on some aspect of Mandarin and/or Chinese culture under supervision. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Communicate in Mandarin in a manner appropriate to context.
  • Understand meanings expressed in Mandarin without asking for clarification or repetition.
  • Listen and demonstrate understanding of Mandarin without needing to ask for repetition or clarification.
  • Write using the conventions of contemporary Mandarin in a manner which is appropriate to context.
  • Identify an appropriate research problem and associated questions.
  • Identify appropriate literature in which the research is located.
  • Produce a research report which is logically structured and which meets the conventions of the genre.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment is appropriately used to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved. This means that Assessment:
  • Procedures adhere to the University's Assessment Policy.
  • Is used to develop as well as measure learning.
  • Opportunities provide a wide array of oral and written tasks intended to allow students to demonstrate competence against the specific outcomes and associated criteria of modules and the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria of the qualification.
  • Criteria are published as tasks are provided.
  • Feedback is provided against criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is fully comparable with international practice.

    The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) that is referred to in the modules is an international standard language test - Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi. The Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) designed and developed by the HSK Center of Beijing Language and Culture University is China's national standardised test to assess the Chinese language proficiency of non-native speakers (including foreigners, overseas Chinese and students from Chinese national minorities). The standards set by the centre were considered in developing this qualification to ensure that it is internationally comparable.

    The format of this Honours Degree follows accepted practice internationally where a supervised research project is completed. The research component in international qualifications is often done in the fourth year of a combined Bachelor's Degree/Honours Degree as separate Honours Degrees are the exception not the rule. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Linguistics, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Translation Studies, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interpreting Studies, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Language Studies, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Chinese Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in General Linguistics, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Translation Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Applied Language Studies, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Rhodes 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.