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:

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111056	Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Finance, Economics and Accounting
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

The purpose of this qualification is to enable the learner to produce a doctoral research thesis which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the various sub-disciplines within Economics.

Rationale:
The Doctorate provides training for an academic career. It requires a learner to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the learner is required to demonstrate high level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a specialisation in Management Studies. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The Degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or multi-disciplinary research or applied research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Admission may be granted through RPL to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.
All admissions through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the Unisa RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through recognition of prior learning.
The University of South Africa (UNISA) RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.
All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Entry Requirements:
A Master's Degree in Economics, Level 9.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics consists of two compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules:

Research Proposal, 0 Credits.

Research Project and Thesis, 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate high level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers in the chosen specialisation within Management Studies.
2. Supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.
3. Write a thesis in a language that complies with the University of South Africa Language Policy as well as the accepted standards for presentation of research and knowledge in the specialisation(s) of the particular learner.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Display a coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in own selected discipline within Management Studies.

Identify, conceptualise, design and plan the implementation of a research project that addresses a complex, possibly ill-defined problem in a selected discipline within the various disciplines within Management Studies.

Produce a thesis that satisfies peer review.

The thesis merits publication.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Display a coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in a selected discipline within Management Studies.

Evaluate the research of others.

Undertake a research project and write up a research report (thesis) drawing systematically on the theory, research methods and literature of a selected discipline in Management Studies.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Display language proficiency in the discipline.

Comply with the professional writing and referencing style prescribed by the discipline.

Integrated Assessment:
The learners' knowledge of the theoretical foundations in economic sciences and research will be assessed by the supervisor and College members via a formal research proposal by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by an academic department colloquium constituted in accordance with College guidelines.

Assessment of the thesis is in accordance with the University of South Africa Procedures for Master's and Doctoral Studies which specifies the appointment of internal and international external examiners.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification compares well with qualifications offered at international universities such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics at Stanford University; the PhD program in Economics at Stockholm School of Economics; the PhD Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science; and the PhD in Economics at the University of Birmingham.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates horizontally with others at level 10 within the subfield.
The Doctor of Philosophy is the final step on the academic ladder. No further upward articulation is possible although learners may choose to pursue their studies at any level of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to suit their personal and professional needs.

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.

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