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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105143  Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Urban and Regional Studies 
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
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 this qualification is to enable learners to demonstrate:
  • Advanced understanding of ways of attaining sustainable urban development.
  • Applied knowledge of what the data and research requirements are to conduct a research project at the highest academic level.
  • Advanced knowledge of the spectrum of urban and regional planning challenges that could occur in a dynamic society, the negative influences that they may have on the quality of people's lives, and ways in which resulting challenges are addressed in different parts of the world.
  • Advanced knowledge of policy options that are available for service provision in the urban environment and creative ways in which it could be expanded or improved.
  • Advanced knowledge of urban and regional planning instruments and their application in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
  • Skills to identify and apply advanced research methodologies when analysing different planning.
  • Applied knowledge of issues within the urban and rural environment and the ability to correctly judge what the data requirements are for such analyses.
  • Excellent skills to critically evaluate communication - oral or in printed format - and to utilise modern electronic hard- and software as instruments of communication.
  • Developing a value system that will facilitate the appropriate and balanced use of knowledge in the solving of urban and regional planning challenges.

    Rationale:
    Different from the other qualifications that are offered by the Institution, the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning is a professionally focused qualification. Only professionals with a Master's Degree qualification in planning could enrol for this qualification, whilst learners with a variety of qualifications could enrol for the Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Science. Professionals with a Master's Degree qualification in Planning are therefore not likely to enrol for any of the other Doctor of Philosophy qualifications offered by the department. The Institution has already lost potential Doctor of Philosophy learners because of this. This qualification aims to give learners an opportunity to obtain advanced specialised analytical knowledge in the field of urban and regional planning. Learners who hold a Master's Degree qualification in Urban and Regional Planning or Development Planning could benefit from this qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • Not applicable.

    Entry Requirements:
    An appropriate Master's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of an Urban and Regional Planning (dissertation) module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an advanced applied understanding of how the social and economic networks of cities work and the planning system that underpins these processes.
  • Demonstrate an advanced applied knowledge of what the data and research requirements are to conduct a research project at the Master's academic level.
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge in a particular area of the social and economic networking of individuals and groups within private and public urban space as they manifest at different levels of spatial aggregation and the outcomes of the different kinds of networking measured in terms of internationally acceptable forms of social, economic and environmental sustainability.
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the spectrum of spatial social and economic urban and regional problems that could occur as part of the dynamic of urban systems, the negative influences that they may have on the quality of people's lives, and ways in which resulting challenges are addressed in different parts of the world.
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of options that are available for the planning of delivery of service in the urban environment and creative ways in which it could be expanded or improved.
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of urban and regional planning instruments and their application in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
  • Identify and apply appropriate research methodologies when analysing different elements of human activities within the urban and regional environment and the ability to correctly judge what the data requirements are for such analyses.
  • Master advanced skills of application of a variety of geographical analysis techniques available for socio-economic analysis with emphasis on geographic information system (GIS) as an applications tool in decision-making.
  • Demonstrate advanced skills to critically evaluate communication-oral or in printed format-and to utilise modern electronic hard and software as instruments of communication in this programme.
  • Demonstrate an advanced value system that will facilitate the appropriate and balanced use of knowledge in the solving of development problems in urban and regional systems. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
    The only credit-bearing assessment is that of the dissertation and the oral which accompanies is. It is examined internally and externally in accordance with Stellenbosch University (SU) policy.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification is by means of a dissertation and is assessed by an examination panel. In accordance with Faculty, the doctoral examination panel consists of one unattached internal examiner and at least two unattached external examiners, of which one preferably should be from overseas. Learners are required to complete at least two journal articles to be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualification:
    United States of America, University of Cincinnati offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning. This qualification provides rigorous academic training and research critical to the planning and design of innovative futures. The regional emphasis, from rural and urban neighbourhoods to national levels, recognises that increasingly planning problems transcend geographic boundaries and require spatially-based systems thinking. The aim of this qualification educates and trains the next generation of scholars who will bring new research-based ideas and knowledge to the teaching and practice of regional development planning. This qualification incorporates elements of economics, sustainable development, community development planning, political economy and social planning. It offers a comprehensive knowledge base to graduate students interested in the improvement of human conditions.

    About the Qualification:
    The Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning is a distinctive Doctoral Degree in planning. Most Doctoral Degrees in planning in the United States cover broad fields. However, the University of Cincinnati School of Planning stresses the interdisciplinary analysis and solution to the regional development problems from inner cities to rural areas. Moreover, the qualification approaches regional development planning using the principles of sustainable development, essential to sound management of the Earth's limited resources.

    The purpose of this Doctoral qualification is to educate and train regional development planning researchers, scholars and high-level practitioners and policy makers. Consequently, learners will be able to contribute to the generation of new knowledge and the education of regional development planning professionals, as well as participate in the development and implementation of regional development policies and programs.

    Admission requirements:
    Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy qualification is determined by the School Doctoral Program Committee on the basis of an applicant's academic record, commitment to scholarly study, and potential for creative research. Applicants generally hold, or are in the process of completing, a master's degree in planning or a closely related academic discipline. Qualified applicants in other academic areas are also considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy qualification, with the understanding that they may have to take a number of courses in order to acquire the necessary background required for the pursuit of doctoral studies at the University of Cincinnati.

    In truly exceptional cases, involving appropriate combinations of scholarship and experience, students may be accepted into the Doctor of Philosophy qualification with only a Bachelor's Degree. In such cases, entering learners will be required to enrol in and complete the course of study leading towards the professional Master of Community Planning (MCP) program, minus the writing of a Master's thesis. While such learners may proceed directly to the doctoral program, they will only receive the MCP if they fulfil the internship and thesis requirements of that qualification.

    At a minimum, a successful applicant for admission into the Doctor of Philosophy qualification is expected to have completed a number of other courses in his or her undergraduate and/or graduate preparation totalling:
  • 3 quarter credit hours of calculus.
  • 3 quarter credit hours of natural sciences.
  • 3 quarter credit hours of environmental studies.
  • 20 quarter credit hours of humanities and social sciences (including economics). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Science, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Urban Studies, NQF 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.
     
    1. Stellenbosch 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.