Master of Philosophy

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.

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.

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.

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 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.