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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110870  Doctor of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  General Social Science 
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:
This qualification is a generic qualification which includes the various specialisations in Philosophy. The purpose is to prepare independent researchers in the Humanities, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Engineering, Technology and the Natural Sciences who can make an original and significant contribution to knowledge at the most advanced level by conducting original research that addresses complex context-based issues, under the guidance of a research supervisor or supervisory committee. The research project which, combines specialised knowledge, skills and research mastery will culminate in the production of a thesis in the traditional format or in publications in academic journals.

The qualification aims to provide graduates with specialised knowledge and competence in their respective disciplines who are capable of making, original contributions to knowledge through research in the chosen field, with cognisance of the impact of the work on society. Their research and its findings must be able to be exposed to international critique. Graduates will thus contribute to knowledge production that underpins national and regional economic growth and prosperity.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10 is necessary to provide the country with a cadre of researchers who can provide strategic direction and evidence-informed guidance in their respective disciplines and contribute in a scholarly way to addressing local, regional and global issues. The graduates from this qualification should contribute to generating and broadening the knowledge base in a selected area of study and influence discipline-related policies and practices. This qualification will enable students to develop and become effective and skilled researchers in the Humanities, Health Sciences, Law, Management Sciences, Engineering, Technology and the Natural Sciences. The graduates will be equipped to become research-orientated in their on-going professional development.

The Doctor of Philosophy, Level 10 will equip the graduates with the knowledge and the skills necessary to be leaders in their respective fields capable of taking responsibility for the training of the next generation of scholars and for ensuring the continuation of quality higher education in the country. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL may be used to grant admission to the qualification to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
  • Master's Degree, Level 9 in the relevant field of study. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a Research project and the production of a Doctoral thesis at Level 10 worth 360 Credits.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Afrikaans and Nederlands.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Language Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Arts.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Community and Development.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural and Heritage Tourism.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Ethics.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in French.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Gender Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Historical Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in IsiZulu.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Cultural Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Religion.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Religion Education.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Community and Regional Planning. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct research within a field or across disciplines.
    2. Compile a thesis that summarises the research, draws conclusions and makes recommendations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate depth of knowledge and high-levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area/across specialised or applied areas.
  • Question existing knowledge boundaries and practices and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.
  • Apply knowledge and theory to unfamiliar, unpredictable contexts.
  • Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base.
  • Master literature in a field.
  • Show intellectual independence by applying sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems.
  • Autonomously synthesise and evaluate information and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
  • Operate successfully in unfamiliar situations and confidently select tools for the job.
  • Design and manage abstract systems models.
  • Communicate research findings in writing through a thesis and orally to diverse audiences.
  • Accurately assess, with justification, own and others work.
  • Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability.
  • Practice within academic, professional and self-defined ethics.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment takes place through the thesis in which the learner is expected to show competency in all outcomes and specifically to present integrated research findings linked to the existing literature across the entire area of the investigation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is similar to the Doctoral qualifications offered internationally in terms of entry requirements, purpose, research and thesis requirements and advanced scholarship demands. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for the possibility of Postdoctoral studies. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    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.