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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96597  Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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:
To equip the student with both theoretical and methodological grasp towards building conceptual and empirical oversight. The intended outcome is the ability to work at the paradigmatic level of development. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is predicated upon the premise that the student has mastered the ability to translate or operationalise theory into a research programme at Master's Level. The student will be able to make a contribution to society, planning, policy management in government, Non-Governmental Organisations and the Private Sector, and contribute to scholarly activities.

Rationale:
  • The qualification is a multidisciplinary field which takes students from other disciplines. This is in line with the University transdisciplinary programme of trying to promote learning across disciplinary boundaries.
  • The students should be able to deal with development planning and policy formulation towards addressing social transformation in South Africa and Southern Africa. The department is part of the South African Development Studies Association (SADSA).
  • Since Development Studies is a multidisciplinary study, the Department encourages and invites applications from students, public servants, development practitioners, social activists, policy analysts and others. Career opportunities after completion include the following, Educationists, Policy Makers, Diplomats, Trade Union Officials, Research Officers, Planners, Social Impact Assessors, Development consultants, Civil and Human Right Activists, Employees of Government and Non-Governmental Organizations, Development Officers , and Rural extension officers.
  • Full blown research, Master's Degree with research methodology seminars for new students. Mode of delivery is constant, face to face consultation with the supervisor include, full communication through internet and face to face contact arranged for students outside the country
  • It exposes academics and students to enriched scholarly and practical experience and outcomes. Students also contribute to scholarly activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
  • Appropriate Masters Degree in Development Studies or related discipline. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Mode of delivery is by Research Only. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The student will be able to analyse and apply the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of development thinking and action.
  • Student will be able to understand and to successfully carry out the analysis and evaluation of policy and to determine the political economy of policy paradigm shifts.
  • Student will acquire the capacity to design and write a thesis that can respectably stand alongside refereed and published research in the same field and have practical application in the social context. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Seminar presentations, group discussions and debates including written research proposals which are used to assess mastery of the theory and conceptual clarity.
  • Research competence and analytical skills are assessed from the thesis and the use of case Studies.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment - Developing a research proposal and assisted by seminar presentations, group discussions and debates at department level. The proposal is defended at the Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee.
    Summative assessment - Conducting research in the field, analyse and interpret findings, write a thesis and submit it relevant authorities for external moderation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The programme benefits from inputs from international scholars who are external moderators. Focus on the local and global political economy of development and on the philosophy of development gives the programme the international stature. The department is part of Erasmus Mundus programme (EUSAID). Our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme is recognised by six (6) European Universities and six (6) South African Universities. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Qualifiers may enrol for post-doctoral studies. Historically, learners can have access to other Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in the faculty of Management and Commerce. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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. University of Fort Hare 


    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.