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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104947  Doctor of Philosophy in Theological Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
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
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 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 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theological Studies is to offer specialised training in theories, concepts and research methods appropriate to the emerging field of enquiry. This will contribute to the further development and strengthening of engaged scholarship on issues of great relevance to societies and in Africa in particular. Thus another purpose that the qualification will serve is to build capacity for effective societal responses to social change.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theological Studies provides for the national and international need for scholars, educators, facilitators and leaders to educate and train graduates, to creatively challenge existing configurations of knowledge and to support the disciplines and relevant professions in Theological Studies. It therefore makes a substantial and original contribution to the generation of new knowledge, constituting significant adaptation, interpretation and application of existing knowledge. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. In addition, an application can be made in terms of rule A.2 via Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Master's Degree in Theology or any equivalent discipline.
  • Students should have achieved a minimum average mark of 65% in the relevant Master's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    There are no rules of combination; the student must submit a thesis for external examination. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.Understanding of research methodologies in qualitative and quantitative research design, and the ability to select those appropriate for their own work.
    2. Ability to identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of topics relevant to the field.
    3. Ability to present a well-structured and developed piece of research which is of publishable standards.
    4. Critically demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to coherently and logically structure and organise his/her study.
    6. Critically demonstrate the ability to analytically and conceptually apply research tools to the topic under investigation.
    7. Demonstrate the ability for critical review and analysis of literature in the field under investigation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • Critically engage with the key scholarly debates, key theories in the relevant field.
  • Make an original contribution in a specific area of specialisation in the field of in Theological Studies.
  • Capable of independently initiating and conducting research in the chosen area of specialisation in Theological Studies.
  • Have specialist knowledge in the field of in Theological Studies.
  • Capable of producing a dissertation, which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The students' knowledge in the area of research will be assessed the supervisor and faculty members a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three external professors. Students will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree by dissertation will be comparable to those Doctoral Degrees through dissertation offered by international institutions. This comparable standard will be maintained through the appointment of international external examiners. Furthermore, the criteria for the successful completion of the PhD dissertation will be those criteria that are also internationally accepted. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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.