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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. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
| Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 104599 | Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Central University of Technology, Free State | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| National First Degree(Min 480) | Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services | Curative Health | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 480 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0324/24 | 2024-07-01 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2034-06-30 | |||
| 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 purpose of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science is to equip learners with the skills and knowledge required to competently apply an integration of theory, principles, proven techniques, practical experience and appropriate skills to the solution of well-defined and abstract problems in the field of Medical Laboratory Science. This qualification focuses on diagnostic laboratory medicine, preparing the learner for industry and a diverse range of academic career opportunities. Target learners are matriculants, health science qualifying learners and working professionals in health care with a strong background in Life Sciences, Physical Science, Mathematics (not mathematical literacy) and English and those who wish to pursue a career in diagnostic laboratory medicine. This qualification will provide access to stable employment opportunities in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and public health services. The qualifying learner will be a reflective practitioner and a life-long learner in their profession, thereby contributing to the community and science with meaningful impact in healthcare. This qualification will provide learners with operational competencies as well as management skills, including supervision, mentoring and leadership, placing them at the heart of technology, education and innovation. Successful completion of this qualification will enable the qualifying learner to register with the HPCSA. Registration will be assurance to the community and society that the professional will practice at all times within the relevant scope as determined by the HPCSA. The qualifying learner will develop practical laboratory competencies in disciplines such as Cytology, Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Immunology, Virology, Cytogenetics, and Immunohaematology. The qualification benefits the learner by providing comprehensive theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory training aligned with industry and regulatory standards. Qualifying learners will develop critical skills in quality assurance, biosafety, ethics, problem-solving, and evidence-based practice, which are essential for modern diagnostic laboratory medicine. Completion of this qualification will enable career progression into roles such as medical laboratory scientist, researcher, or laboratory manager. Furthermore, it will create pathways for postgraduate studies, specialisation, and research careers. In addition, it will develop critical skills in quality assurance, biosafety, ethics, problem-solving, and evidence-based practice, which are essential for modern laboratory medicine such as molecular diagnostics, PCR and sequencing, and high-throughput automated analysers. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: The qualification was designed to meet the needs of the South African community in the medical field as identified by the National Department of Health and ensures that it is compatible with international standards. Following this imperative from the National Department of Health, the Professional Board for Biomedical Technology at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) promotes the development of new learning programmes in health professions to align qualifications with the HEQSF. The acquisition of advanced competencies is required by the sector to meet the legislative and operational requirements of the HPCSA. Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) forms an integral part of the healthcare system in the country. The development of this qualification was a shift towards a more comprehensive and internationally recognised qualification, which aligns with the HPCSA requirements for registration as a medical laboratory scientist. Developing this qualification was a consultative and collaborative process between industry, Universities of Technology (UoT's) and various stakeholders and qualification authorities such as SAQA, DHET, CHE and the Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa (SMLTSA). Qualifying learners are provided with theoretical, practical, problem-solving and analytical skills required by the medical laboratory scientist profession to ensure they are prepared for their future professional responsibilities. This will ensure that there are sufficiently qualified professionals in the different specialities available for absorption in the workplace at regional and national Level. Some of the specialities in the profession, like South African National Blood Service (SANBS), Histology, Cytology, Cytogenetics, and Virology, periodically experience shortages of specialised qualified medical laboratory scientists in these disciplines, including public and private laboratories. Qualified medical laboratory scientists may open their own laboratories, appointing staff, thus contributing to economic development. Furthermore, the opening of private laboratories in rural areas may significantly contribute to the health and well-being of local communities. This qualification targets individuals who wish to pursue a career as medical laboratory scientists and who demonstrate scientific curiosity, practical thinking, problem-solving ability, attention to detail and a strong sense of professional responsibility. Learners should be able to work accurately and independently, while also contributing effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams. The qualification prepares learners for practice in private and public diagnostic laboratories, research institutions and public health services. Completion of the qualification may support career pathways as medical laboratory scientists, researchers, lecturers, laboratory supervisors or managers, clinical trainers, applications or technical specialists, product or diagnostic sales scientists, and quality assurance practitioners responsible for laboratory quality systems, audits and accreditation. Consultation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) was conducted to align the qualified learner to register with the professional body to meet the requirements for professional registration/membership as required by the HPCSA. The offering of the qualification was endorsed by HPCSA. All learners registered at the institution must register in their first year as learners with the HPCSA. Upon successful completion of the qualification, the qualifying learner is required to register with the HPCSA to work in a diagnostic laboratory. Qualifying learners can also become members of SMLTSA, which plays a critical role in ensuring the profession is represented when policies and procedures are developed that may affect pathology testing in South Africa. The qualification is positioned within the Health Sciences learning pathway and meets the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Qualifying learners typically practise in diagnostic, research, and public health laboratory environments. The qualification enables vertical articulation to postgraduate studies, including Bachelor Honours, Master's (NQF Level 9), and Doctoral (NQF Level 10) qualifications in Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, and related fields. Horizontal articulation is possible into cognate qualifications at NQF Level 8, facilitating mobility across related health and life science disciplines. Diagonal articulation may occur into qualifications in education, management, and health services management across sub-frameworks, supporting career diversification. The qualification serves as a minimum entry requirement for professional practice and provides a pathway for career progression into specialist, managerial, research, and academic roles through further study and work-based experience. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of prior learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regard to equivalent qualifications for admission into the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission into this qualification, as well as advancement within the qualification. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification. RPL for access: Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF Level as the qualification required for admission into this qualification may be considered for admission through RPL. To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification. RPL for advanced standing: An applicant who has already achieved some of the competencies expected for admission to, or progression within the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science may be admitted despite lacking the conventional qualification pathway. In such an instance, the applicant's prior learning, knowledge, skills, and professional experience will be assessed to determine whether they are equivalent to the learning outcomes normally required for admission. This learning may have been acquired through formal studies, workplace experience, professional development, community engagement, short courses, research, or other forms of non-formal and informal learning. RPL for module exemption: Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module. RPL for credit: Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification. Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted. Learners can be allowed access to the qualification on condition that they provide evidence that stated competence has been achieved through workplace and/or work-integrated learning experience. It may be required from the learner to submit a comprehensive portfolio of evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed. Content of this portfolio includes, but is not limited to, work experience, evidence of any qualifications and the NQF Level. Academics and practitioners in medical technology will evaluate and recommend if the candidate has sufficient evidence to qualify for RPL. RPL will be carried out in accordance with the institution's policies and procedures in collaboration with the Assessment and Graduation Unit. Entry Requirements: Or Or Or Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7, and 8, totalling 495 Credits. Included in this qualification are compulsory non-credit-bearing institutional modules: Personal Information Management, Reading Skills and Entrepreneurship.
Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 69 Credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 180 Credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 126 Credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 42 Credits: Elective Modules, NQF Level 8, 78 Credits: (Select one module as a specialisation field) |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Perform and integrate routine and specialised laboratory testing, and correlate results with pathophysiological conditions in accordance with statutory and operational requirements.
2. Evaluate current and emerging trends in medical laboratory science and technology to improve practice and solve problems in varied contexts. 3. Conduct research in medical laboratory sciences and health sciences in compliance with legislated and ethical research principles. 4. Apply management and entrepreneurship skills in the context of medical laboratory sciences. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Integrated assessment: Various assessment methods help to increase assessment opportunities and encourage academic success of a diverse population of learners. It provides the opportunity for all learners to excel in one or more methods of assessment creating a culture of success. Formative and summative assessments are implemented to ensure that exit level and graduate attributes are met. Assessment is purposefully used to generate data for grading, ranking, selecting and predicting learner performance. Integrated assessment will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the HPCSA as well as the policies and procedures of Assessment and Graduation Unit of CUT. The execution of the mini-research project with various components constitutes the sum of continuous assessment at NQF Level 8. The ratio of formal formative to summative assessments is 50:50. Formative assessment: A range of formal and informal formative assessment procedures are used to focus teaching and learning to improve learner success. When formative assessment is formal, results are recorded and count towards promotion marks. Each formal formative assessment has an assigned weight that in total contributes 50% of the final course mark. Assessments can include, but are not limited to: Summative assessment: Formal summative assessment is conducted at the end of a module or learning programme to evaluate learning related to module and/or qualification. Summative assessment of learning usually aims for the evaluation and/or the certification of learning that has already taken place, and the extent to which this learning has been successful. Summative assessments are moderated and at NQF Level 8 an external moderator must be appointed. Assessment can include but are not limited to: |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| This qualification was compared to similar qualifications from Namibia and New Zealand.
Country: Namibia Institution name: University of Science and Technology (NUST) Qualification title: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences Duration: Four years full-time Credits: 528 Similar to CUT, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) also uses an admission point scale, which is then added up to determine if an applicant can be admitted into the programme. The programme offered by NUST is called the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences and is offered as a full-time, undergraduate programme similar to CUT, and its focus is also to train Medical Laboratory Scientists to perform diagnostic laboratory tests. Both these degrees train professionals to analyse human biological specimens and interpret laboratory results, ensuring graduates can link laboratory findings to disease processes. Both qualifications are globally relevant because Medical Laboratory Science is a critical healthcare profession worldwide, and skills are transferable to hospitals, public and private diagnostic laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates can work internationally (with local registration) in fields such as disease diagnosis (e.g., infections, cancer), epidemic control (e.g., pandemics) and play a key role in medical research. Admission to undergraduate studies is based on the completion of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) or an equivalent qualification. Admission requirements for this programme are 24 points for Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Physics, and no symbol must be lower than a B, which equates to a score of 6. The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences at NUST is also an NQF Level 8 with 524 credit allocation, whereas the credit level for Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science offered by CUT is 492. Additional requirements for admission to CUT include job shadowing in a diagnostic laboratory and possible psychometric evaluation. At NUST, Human Anatomy and Physiology is offered at NQF Level 5, whereas at CUT it is offered at Level 6, inclusive of the pathophysiology component. Modules such as Health Science (HS) Chemistry, HS Physics, HS Statistics and Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences are also at NQF Level 5, similar to CUT, though there is a difference in credit allocation. There are, however, differences in the NQF Levels of Biochemistry [NUST, NQF 5 and CUT, NQF 6], and Immunology [NUST, NQF 5 and CUT, NQF 6]. Modules offered at NQF Level 6 with a credit allocation of 12 correlate with that of CUT in Medical Microbiology, Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Cytology and Immunohematology. AT NQF Level 7 both universities have similar credit allocation (12) for Medical Microbiology, Haematology and Clinical Chemistry although NUST do not offer Cytology at NQF 7. At CUT research methodology is a NQF Level 7 module with 9 credits, whereas at NUST it is an NQF Level 8 module with 12 credits. Laboratory management at NUST is an NQF Level 7 module with 14 credits, whereas at CUT it is an NQF Level 8 module with 12 credits. Assessments at both institutions take the form of written examinations, tests and quizzes, assignments, laboratory practicals, and clinical skills assessments; both use a blended assessment approach combining theory, practicals, research, and clinical training. Assessments are designed to ensure graduates achieve professional competencies, including laboratory skills, clinical reasoning, research literacy, and ethical practice. The mini thesis from NUST compares to the research project at NQF Level 3 and 30 credits. NUST offers Work Integrated Learning 4A (NQF Level 7 with 50 credits) and 4B (NQF Level 8 with 40 credits. At CUT, there are 10 elective modules at NQF Level 8 with a 78-credit allocation. Country: New Zealand Institution name: Auckland University of Technology Qualification title: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Duration: Four years full-time Credits: 480 NZQF Level 7 Another comparison was made with the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science offered by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in New Zealand. This qualification is offered over a period of four years of full-time study, similar to CUT. The New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF/NZQF) is a 10-level system maintained by the NZQA that classifies tertiary qualifications, and this qualification consists of 480 credits at Level 7. At CUT, the programme is offered at NQF Level 8 with a minimum of 480 credits allocated. Both qualifications are globally relevant because Medical Laboratory Science is essential for disease diagnosis, public health surveillance and medical research. Graduates can work in hospitals, private and public laboratories, research institutions or work as scientific and/or laboratory equipment sales representatives. Both qualifications aim to train competent medical laboratory scientists supporting healthcare systems. Admission requirement in English is an academic IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5, with a strong background in Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, whereas at CUT admission requirements are an M-score of a minimum 30 points, and compulsory subjects include Mathematics, English, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences all at NQF Level 4. Additional admission requirements at CUT include evidence of job shadowing and possible psychometric testing. At AUT, candidates must meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act), including police clearance, whereas at CUT candidates register with HPCSA once they are registered as a first-year learner and no police clearance is required. It is a requirement at AUT that learners complete eight compulsory modules (NZQF Level 5) in the first year, each with a credit value of 15. Modules include Science and Society, Human Biology / Cell Biology, Principles of Chemistry, Mathematics or Statistics, Human Anatomy & Physiology, Introductory Laboratory & Histological Techniques, Advanced Biology / Genetics and Applied Science / Health Context. At CUT the first year compulsory modules include Personal Information Management (non-credit bearing), Academic Literacy and Communication Studies (9 credits), Health Chemistry (9 credits - NQF Level 5), Human Anatomy, Physiology And Disease (36 credits - NQF Level 6), Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (24 credits - NQF Level 5), Health Physics (9 credits - NQF Level 5), Biostatistics (9 credits - NQF Level 5), Computer Skills I (6 credits - NQF Level 5), Cellular Biology (12 credits - NQF Level 6), Immunology I (12 credits - NQF Level 6), and Reading Skills (non-credit bearing). There are similarities with regard to Cell Biology, Chemistry, Statistics and Introduction to Laboratory Techniques. At AUT all first-year modules are NZQF Level 5, however, at CUT the NQF Levels vary from 5 - 6. In the second year AUT offers core medical laboratory science modules at NZQF Level 6, each with a credit value of 15. Modules include General Pathology, Laboratory Information & Quality Management, Clinical Chemistry I, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Haematology, Histology & Cytology and Transfusion Science. At CUT, the second-year specialisation modules are NQF Level 6 and include Third-year modules at AUT are advanced specialisation at Level 7 with a credit value of 15 each. Clinical Chemistry III, Advanced Haematology, Advanced Immunology, Research / Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Medical Microbiology, Transfusion Science Advanced, Histology & Cytology Advanced, Capstone / Research Project. At CUT, modules offered at NQF Level 7 include Clinical Chemistry III (12 Credits), Cytology III (12 Credits), Haematology III (12 Credits), Integrative Medical Laboratory Sciences (9 Credits), Integrative Medical Laboratory Sciences III (60 Credits - work-integrated learning), Medical Microbiology III (12 Credits) and Research Methods (9 Credits). At third-year level there are also differences in the credit values per module and at CUT learners are placed for industry exposure during the second semester and only start with the research project in the fourth year (NQF Level 8). During industry exposure, learners rotate through the various clinical specialities and then select a specialisation field for the fourth year. At AUT, learners rotate through the various clinical specialities (Level 7) in the fourth year, whereas at CUT, learners are required to select one specialisation field (NQF Level 8 - 78 credits) and complete two compulsory modules, namely laboratory management (NQF Level 8 - 12 credits) and the research project (NQF Level 8 - 30 credits). Similar to CUT, AUT uses a variety of assessment methods to ensure that graduates develop both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory competence. The main types of assessment include written examinations, practical laboratory assignments, logbooks of procedures performed, supervisor evaluations, reflection reports on professional practice, and oral presentations. Similar to CUT, Auckland University of Technology's Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science programme uses a blended assessment model, combining written, practical, research-based, and clinical assessments to ensure graduates are competent in both laboratory science and professional practice. The NZQF and NQF are structurally equivalent frameworks with 10 levels and matching credit systems. The Auckland University of Technology's Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science and CUT's Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Science programmes are highly aligned across all major disciplines, including clinical chemistry, microbiology, haematology, immunology, histology, and transfusion science. Both qualifications have a strong clinical integration in the final year. Conclusion: The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science offered by Auckland University of Technology, the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences offered by the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Laboratory Sciences offered by CUT share substantial similarities in structure, level, and professional orientation. It must be noted, however, that there is a difference in the nomenclature of certain of the modules. All three are four-year degree programmes designed to prepare graduates for professional registration as medical laboratory scientists in their respective countries, with curricula that integrate core disciplines such as clinical chemistry, haematology, immunology, microbiology, histology, and transfusion science, as well as research and professional practice training. In terms of professional competencies, graduates are expected to demonstrate analytical and diagnostic skills, adherence to laboratory quality management systems, ethical and professional conduct, and the ability to perform laboratory procedures independently and safely. Overall, despite minor differences in delivery and assessment emphasis, these three programmes align closely in preparing competent, registered medical laboratory scientists capable of working in diverse clinical and research settings. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification provides the following articulation options:
Horizontal articulation: Vertical articulation: Diagonal articulation: |
| 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. |
| 1. | Central University of Technology, Free State |
| 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. |