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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in English Studies and Comparative Literature 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117429  Master of Arts in English Studies and Comparative Literature 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Literature 
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  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Arts in English Studies and Comparative Literature provides training in research and analysis in language and literature and prepares learners for careers in the media, teaching and corporate fields. At the end of the qualification, the learners will master the basic and advanced research skills needed to complete a research project, analytical skills needed to write comprehensive reports and the ability to teach at a higher level in education.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended to provide learners with the necessary research and analytical skills needed to operate at the Postgraduate level. It is usually a preparatory ground for doctoral study. About 70% of learners who engage in a Master Degree research usually go on to complete a Doctor of Philosophy qualification. Many of our learners come from our Honours qualification. At the end of their qualification, learners with Master's Degree find themselves in the media academic and corporate fields. The qualification provides a high skill level to the learners, quality manpower to the society and the economy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners will gain access to this qualification degree study if:
  • They have worked in media spaces as journalists or taught English at the high school level for several years.
  • Credits will be awarded for the above towards the part qualification.

    The learner however will be exposed to research methods as well as academic writing skills before commencement of study.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in English, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Media or Communication Studies, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consist of a compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate competency in research methods, academic writing, theoretical framework and text analysis.
    2. Apply techniques in research for text analysis in both Literature and language studies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria is applied across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Critically understand the advanced research techniques in English studies.
  • Critically assess the advanced research in English studies.
  • Formally present an approved proposal outlining the content and direction of research.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary philosophical and theoretical issues in English Studies.
  • Debate complex issues orally and in writing.
  • Display specialised knowledge critically and comparatively, depending on the particular field of focus.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The main assessment method for the Master's Degree in English is by external examination by two respected external examiners who are experts in the specific field of literature and language. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master's Degree in English was benchmarked against the top universities in the world and examined by internationally accredited scholars. The qualification compares favourably with similar qualifications in different countries around the world. Some of the countries where the qualification in English is offered include the following:

    In the U.K. the Master's Degree in English literature is offered at most universities and is classed as a Level 7 NQF qualification (180 Credits: 4 X 30 point modules and 60 point mini-dissertation). The usual length of study is one or two years, with allowance made for part-time learners. The distinguishing feature of the MA as compared to BA Degree in terms of content is the emphasis placed on literary theory and critical reflection on the process and history of modes of interpretation. The MA was traditionally by research thesis but is now taught. The only way learners end up with a Masters in English by dissertation is if their PhD isn't up-to-scratch, and is downgraded to an MPhil. The shift to the taught degree rests on the belief that it improves throughput rate. The taught MAs are increasingly migrating to online delivery. The University of London emphasises the distance learning nature of its MA. The duration of the Open University distance learning taught MA is 2.5 years.

    At the University of York, the MA in English Literary Studies is a taught module that is comparable to our English Masters by Coursework (MA in Pan-African Letters) (ECL701), with a mini-dissertation and compulsory modules on research methodology. As the University of Leeds website puts it, the compulsory modules are designed to give a solid base of theoretical knowledge and high-level research skills, and the optional modules afford the opportunity pursue individual interests and career ambitions. The University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham and the University of Sussex offer similarly structured taught MA degrees. Edinburgh University's MA in Postcolonial Literature has a similar structure (two elective modules, the seminar-based programme of research methods training in core research skills and subject-specific methodologies) and its offerings resemble our own.

    The goal of these structured degrees is to apply the knowledge and skills learned in an independent research project on a topic of choice. The length of the mini-dissertation ranges from 12000 to 16000 words.

    In Australia, universities appear to have also followed the taught MA model. The University of Sidney Master of English Studies claims to offer learners the opportunity to negotiate the duration of the degree according to their needs. Deakin University's taught Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) emphasises its creative writing component (don't just study, do!).

    The University of the West Indies (Jamaica) MA Degree is by coursework and research paper. They also offer an MPhil by coursework and thesis, with the thesis being the major component. According to their website, applicants for the MPhil who hold an MA may proceed directly to the thesis. Applicants for the PhD qualification are normally required to register for the MPhil in the first place. The duration for the MA is 16 months (Full-time) and 36 months (Part-time), and each of the course modules (7 plus research paper) requires a weekly 3-hour seminar. Their offerings are comparable to ours in terms of theory and postcolonial and African literature, except for their focus on Shakespeare.

    In Africa Makerere University's MA in Literature taught qualification lasts two years, as does that of Mount Kenya University. The latter is delivered by face-to-face and digital teaching and stresses literary theory. Kenyatta University coursework MA (Literature, English and Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, French) also takes two years as does the University of Cape Coast (Ghana) Master of English Literature. Lagos State University (like the University of Hong Kong) has a one year taught Master of Arts in English Studies course focusing on both literature and linguistics. The University of Botswana's Masters of Arts Qualification specialisation in English Literature core modules include 'The English Novel from Defoe to Joyce' and '20th Century Literature Theory and Criticism'. The research project there is required to be 20000 words in length. The University of Malawi, Chancellor's College focuses 'on the teaching of classic and contemporary trends in the reading, criticism and practice of literature and literary theory' but no additional information is available.

    In general, the English MA qualification is comparable in pre-requisites, academic weighting (credit points), content, duration and delivery are comparable to these international examples. The English Masters by Coursework (MA in Pan-African Letters) (ECL701) is an advantage that should present circumstances dictate a decisive move to the coursework structure. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.