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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacy Practice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100935  Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacy Practice 
ORIGINATOR
North West 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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
72807  Master of Pharmacy  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  160  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of selected fields in Pharmacy Practice, which include basic methodological approaches and theoretical orientations applied to the South African context. This qualification also aims to equip postgraduate students with all the relevant competencies to practise at a highly specialised level as pharmacists and future developers in the fields of pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical systems, public healthcare, pharmacovigilance, pharmacoepidemiology, and pharmaceutical and health economics. Furthermore, this qualification also aims to prepare graduates for further study at Level 10.

Rationale:
The Master of Pharmacy in Pharmacy Practice is a necessary and relevant qualification within South African society since it aims to further educate, train and prepare professionally qualified pharmacist for a specialised fields of practice and research therein, namely:
  • Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance.
  • Pharmaceutical economy and policy.
  • Pharmaceutical public healthcare governance.

    Successful completion of this qualification will contribute towards enhanced management of specialised pharmaceutical services, dispensing practices, research in the named areas of pharmacy practice and public health in general. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition Of Prior Learning (RPL):
    In recognising previous learning, the institution deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning programmes (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification. The institution accepts that the recognition of previous learning does and should take place within the normal, existing policy of admission, as well as the granting of credits to prospective or existing students from various institutions in a valid, creditable and reasonable way.

    Entry Requirements:
    In addition to the General Academic Rules and the Admissions Policy of the North-West University, the following minimum admission requirement applies: a four year Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree or an equivalent qualification approved by the NWU Senate. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Applied Pharmaco-economics, 32 Credits.
  • Applied Pharmaco-epidemiology, 32 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 116 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced, systematic and specialist knowledge and skill to undertake a focused literature review, identify a relevant research problem and related research questions and apply appropriate research methods and techniques within the field of medicine utilisation and pharmacy practice.
    2. Plan and execute suitable quantitative and/or qualitative research approaches in a scientific and ethical manner by making use of appropriate research methods, techniques and procedures.
    3. Interpret and integrate research findings and recommendations in a scientifically accountable manner and, via scientific and ethically correct verbal and written communication and present the complete dissertation to the appointed examiners.
    4. Act as a leader, i.e. ethically and responsibly, in the pharmaceutical profession as far as appropriate medicine utilisation and pharmacy practice is concerned.
    5. Evaluate current processes of knowledge production and choose an appropriate process of enquiry for the area of study or practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Show and understanding of systematic and integrated knowledge and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as in technology.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Show professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.
  • Critically reflect on, and show understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The following forms of continuous formative and summative assessment are used to ensure integrated assessment of all exit level outcomes for this qualification:
  • Written assignments including small research projects.
  • Analysis and solving of a variety of case studies.
  • Written and practical examinations.
  • A research proposal.
  • A dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications from around the world with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional hours. The qualification was developed in line with the South African Qualifications Authority Level Descriptors for Higer Education Qualifications Framework Level 9. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Cognate doctoral Degree at Level 10. 
    		•

    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. North West University 


    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.