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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Music 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91807  Master of Music 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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 02 - Culture and Arts  Music 
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
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2018-06-30  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
87173  Master of Music: General  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  240  Complete 

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
100818  Master of Music in Applied Choral Conducting  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 
100819  Master of Music in Composition  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 
100824  Master of Music in Performing Arts  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates with in-depth knowledge of a specialised research field in Music to equip them for further intellectual development and gainful economic activity in the music industry. The qualification aims to provide graduates with high level knowledge on an interdisciplinary basis, as well as appropriate research skills that would enable them to successfully identify topics for further investigation, the various research methodologies, ethical research procedures and theoretical frameworks. The proposed qualification will also be beneficial to all those wishing to articulate to a research-based Doctorate.

Rationale:
The qualification will address the need to advance the development of scholarship and intellectual leadership in a specialised research domain in Music. Currently a number of research-oriented Master of Music Degrees with a 70% research component are offered, but they are all considered to be coursework Masters' Degrees because of a small coursework component in each. Thus, the proposed new qualification will fill a gap in current offerings and will cater for the growing need for a 'pure' research Masters 'Degree. On average, seven students annually register for research-oriented Degrees in the Music Department and this Degree will optimally address this proven need. The addition of this qualification will also make the department's academic offerings more balanced in that the full spectrum of modes of music studies and qualifications will be presented. This is informed by and will be comparable to the diversity of offering types found at most leading institutions that have full research Master's Degrees to complement the course work Master's Degrees in music performance and composition. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Successful completion of an appropriate Degree as well as basic knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts of research and statistical methods is required.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL towards admission, in accordance with the institutional policy.

Access to Qualification:
Holders of a four-year Bachelor of Music Degree from a recognised institution, a relevant Honours Degree or the holders of other cognate qualifications as approved, may be accepted as candidates for the Degree. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This is a research-based qualification which culminates in the submission of a dissertation worth 180 Credits. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Access, organise and critically evaluate existing knowledge in the applicable field of study.
2. Master theoretical, advanced and specialised subject matter in the field of Music Studies.
3. Demonstrate acquisition of advanced knowledge, critical reflective and analytical skills with respect to the chosen area of specialisation.
4. Write up a scientifically acceptable research dissertation.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
This qualification enables all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • An acceptable research proposal is developed.
  • Appropriate literature is sourced, analysed, organised and evaluated systematically in the chosen focus area.
  • Documents are prepared for obtaining ethics clearance.
  • Intellectual competence and skill is exhibited in executing the research, using quantitative, qualitative or mixed research methods.
  • Adherence to scientific writing criteria with cognisance of appropriate referencing conventions is consistently demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Specialised knowledge of specific areas of inquiry and an understanding of the interrelationship amongst various areas within the field is demonstrated.
  • Sophisticated knowledge of the general field of inquiry and grasp of the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of this field is demonstrated.
  • The conceptual discourse concerning music and the arts can be critically evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Musical works within their cultural contexts are analysed, including the ability to present reflections and analyses relevant to the creation, performance and interpretation of music.
  • Solutions to problems are identified and recommended, displaying critical and creative thinking in the process of the field of study.
  • Opinions about own and others' work is critically analysed and expressed.
  • Orthodox theory and practice prevalent in Music Studies is challenged and new approaches are suggested.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • An acceptable research dissertation is written up.
  • Conclusions and recommendations are justified by the use of appropriate evidence and arguments.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is 100% summative and will take the form of a dissertation to be externally examined according to institutional policy. Thus no formative assessment takes place in line with accepted protocol of research-based Degrees. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The proposed qualification aligns well with similar qualifications offered at international institutions. The vast majority of leading international institutions offer a full research Master's Degree in addition to the standard composition and performance Masters.

    Relevant examples include:
  • The University of Auckland, New Zealand, which offers a research Master in Music (Musicology) which requires a research dissertation on an approved topic or a portfolio of approved work is required.
  • Oxford University, England, which offers a research MLitt in Music with specialisation in Musicology, with further specialisations in, for example, music theory and analysis, ethnomusicology, film music, psychology of music and aesthetics of music.
  • Monash University in Australia, which offers a Master of Music that is described as being designed for musicians, composers and music scholars wishing to enhance their knowledge, understanding and competence in music students of musicology and ethnomusicology. They are expected to learn skills in relevant research techniques and undertake research projects at an advanced level. All students are expected to develop the capacity for critical reflection and informed assessment in the relevant field. Career outcomes include music performance, musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, music education and pedagogy and contemporary music.
  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States of America, which offers a Master of Arts in music and is intended to provide students with a supportive environment within which to pursue imaginative research. The Degree programmes include music history, ethnomusicology, and music theory and introduce students to a broad range of musical practices and different methodologies. There is also a commitment to interdisciplinary research to encourage students to develop original approaches to music, drawing on recent musicological and theoretical initiatives.

    Conclusion:
    It is evident that this Master of Music compares favourably with similar qualifications offered internationally. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Horizontal articulation is possible with any related Masters' Degree at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Vertical articulation is possible with any related Doctorate at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Both internal and external examiners will be used according to institutional policy.

    Each examiner (both internal and external) will be required to submit an examiner's report wherein a detailed exposition of the assessment is put forward, based on guidelines provided by the examination department. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All examiners are expected to hold a relevant qualification at a level higher than that of the student. 

    NOTES 
    This Qualification replaces Qualification 87173, "Master of Music: General", Level 9, 240 credits. 

    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. Nelson Mandela University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.