SAQA 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: 

Master of Philosophy in Neuropsychiatry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104713  Master of Philosophy in Neuropsychiatry 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of the programme is to graduate neuropsychiatrists capable of delivering comprehensive, cost-effective patient care to individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders using a bio-psychosocial framework across a range of clinical care contexts. Additional purposes include an ability to answer questions by means of research and to pass on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the discipline of neuropsychiatry to other health care providers and future generations of doctors.

Rationale:
This qualification will form part of the credentialing process for registration as sub-specialists in Neuropsychiatry. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
To be eligible for consideration, a candidate:
  • Must have a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry of the University or another university recognised for this purpose, or a qualification recognised by the Senate as an equivalent (such as the fellowship in psychiatry from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa).
  • Must have a professional qualification in psychiatry from are cognised institution outside of South Africa.
  • Must have a qualification.
  • Must be registrable as a psychiatrist in South Africa.
  • Must be practising or have the intention to practise in the field of Neuropsychiatry. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises two focus areas namely:
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Neuropsychiatry Part 1 (PRY7018W) Level 9, 120 Credits.
  • MPhil in Neuropsychiatry Part 2 (PRY7019W) Level 9, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to continue life-long learning and to reflect.
    2. Ability to be patient centred.
    3. Ability to think in terms of neurology psychological domains, neuroanatomical systems, and integrated neuroscience.
    4. Evaluate and manage patients with both undifferentiated and more specific problems cost effectively using a bio-psychosocial approach.
    5. Promote health and quality of life of the community.
    6. Maintain up to date, quality practice by implementing research findings and own research.
    7. Disseminate knowledge and skills to patients, the community, fellow health workers, and future generations off family physicians.
    8. Manage him/herself and his/her practice (in public or private sector) effectively with visionary leadership.
    9. Understand normal brain development, neuropsychological function and tools to measure deviation from these. Work alongside the other related disciplines (e.g. neuroradiology, neurology, neuropsychology) to advance understanding of neuropsychopathology.
    10. Awareness of cultural and other contextual aspects of health and illness.
    11. Able to promote health and prevent illness through primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
    12. Able to address ethical dilemmas.
    13. Skilled to maximise the potential of the consultation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • Demonstrate required knowledge and procedural skills as per the curriculum of the relevant College of Medicine.
    > In the case of candidates who opt also to complete a dissertation.
  • Demonstrate advanced scholarship or research in the subspecialty field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In the course of and at end of their training, candidates undergo examinations set by the relevant College of Medicine. The assessment strategy is aimed at assessing both whether candidates have mastered the basic sciences and/or other foundational knowledge required for their clinical work, and whether they have met the minimum clinical requirements to register as subspecialists. These requirements are set by the Colleges of Medicine and are usually assessed in the form of a clinical logbook and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) and written paper/s. In order to register as subspecialists, the candidate is not required, but may opt to, complete a dissertation, whose external examination is arranged by the University. Subspecialist trainees who opt not to complete the dissertation may register as subspecialists after passing College exams and meeting minimum clinical training time, on successful completion of College examinations. They receive the relevant College of Medicine certification. Those candidates who also produce a dissertation also receive a University Degree. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar to qualifications offered in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.