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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in History 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96598  Doctor of Philosophy in History 
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  Traditions, History and Legacies 
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:
The objective of the qualification is to facilitate the exposure of prospective candidates to the highest levels of conceptual, theoretical, as well as methodological skills and competencies in the discipline of History. The aim of the qualification is similarly to inculcate a sense of 'historical mindedness' - that is, to conceptualise the inter-relationships of chronological sequence, periodisation, change over time, and the corollary of historical interpretation and historical outcomes and findings. One of the key objectives of the qualification is to ensure that prospective candidates make an original contribution to the study of history. By utilising the highest levels of theoretical, conceptual, and methodological skills and competencies, prospective candidates are expected to identify and to specialise in a specific niche area in the study of history.

Rationale:
The rationale behind the Qualification is to equip students with an advanced level of research that will broaden their comprehension of the parameters of historical knowledge. This qualification provides candidates with a solid grasp of salient research methods in History, as well as equipping them with requisite analytical skills that will them to undertake advanced independent research work. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • RPL applications are all considered on exceptional merit.

    Entry Requirements:
    An Master of Arts in History, or in an appropriate cognate field. In exceptional cases Recognition of Prior Learning may be considered. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    100% Research Thesis. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Candidates should demonstrate their capacity to design, conduct and write theses that reflects their ability to identify problems that inform historical events at a given period and in a specific geographic location.
  • Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the impact of chronology on a series of historical events and circumstances.
  • Candidates should demonstrate the ability to produce an intelligible historical narrative through writing a doctoral dissertation of the highest standard.
  • Ultimately candidates should demonstrate competence in original methodological and conceptual skills, clarity of expression, and the development of argument and sound judgement. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The ability of the candidate to produce a research proposal that is informed by existing gaps in historical knowledge.
  • The ability of the candidate to formulate an hypothesis.
  • The ability of the candidate to select and utilize research instruments that are relevant in the historical inquiry.
  • The ability of the candidate to select and use appropriate data analysis methods to interpret the findings of the investigation.
  • The competence of the candidate to identify and analyze different historical views and interpretations.
  • The ability of the candidate to write a well-researched thesis with an acceptable technical layout, a clear demonstration of conceptual and methodological skills, and a well-developed argument based on detached analysis, and with a compellingly substantiated outcome.
  • The Research Proposal which is subjected to an oral examination by a representative committee, represents the Formative Phase of Assessment.
  • The comprehensive thesis represents the Summative Phase of the Assessment.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • The Research Proposal which is subjected to an oral examination represents the Formative Phase of Assessment.
  • The comprehensive thesis represents the Summative Phase of the Assessment.
  • Moderation of Thesis: The Doctoral Thesis is subject to moderation by THREE External Examiners, two being international while the 3rd one is national. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Comparable and Transferable with Doctoral Qualifications Nationally and Internationally. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This is determined by the qualification registered for Qualifying candidates have access to research studies at higher education institutions subject to individual requirements in cognate fields. 

    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.