SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111090	Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies
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		Generic Management
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 specialisations within Management Studies. 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.

Rationale:
The qualification caters for Doctoral Level research in Management Studies to contribute to theory and practice in a range of specialisations such as Marketing, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Tourism Management, International Business, Business Management, International Business, Operations Management and Strategy.

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 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:
An appropriate Master's Degree, Level 9 with a full or limited dissertation in any of the following specialisations: Marketing, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Tourism management, International Business, Business Management, International Business, Operations Management and Strategy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

The Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies 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 Unisa 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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes.
Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcomes 1:
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.
2. 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.
3. Produce a thesis that satisfies peer review.
4. The thesis merits publication.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
1. 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.
2. Evaluate the research of others.
3. 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 Outcomes 3:
1. Display language proficiency in the discipline.
2. Comply with the professional writing and referencing style prescribed by the discipline.

Integrated Assessment:

All assessments are conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the University of South Africa (UNISA) Assessment Policy.

Submitted proposals are assessed and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be ratified by the College Research and Higher Degrees Committee.

When a learner's thesis is nearing completion, he/she informs the Registrar of his/her intention to submit if for examination at least two months before the anticipated date. After consultation with the co-supervisor (where applicable), the supervisor gives the learner permission to submit.

Assessment will include input from three external examiners, and all must be recognised experts in their fields and must not be attached to or affiliated with UNISA. At least one of the external examiners should be from a county other than South Africa. All examiners are recommended by the Department Chairperson and/or Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee and their names are forwarded for appointment by the College Management Committee.

The completed report of the panel of examiners is regarded as the examiners' final recommendation. The result of the Doctoral thesis is based on a judicious appraisal of the examiners' reports.

After the result of the learner's thesis has been approved the non-examining chairperson makes the examiners' report available to the Chairperson of the Department, the supervisor, the co-supervisor, the learner and the other examiners if requested.

In addition, learners must demonstrate the ability to engage in the field of Management Sciences in an integrative way, dealing with Information Science challenges strategically and effectively. It is recommended for this ability to be demonstrated by the publication of at least one article based on the research, in a scientific peer reviewed journal.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification compares well with qualifications offered at international universities such as the Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at INStitut Européen d'ADministration des affaires (INSEAD), and the PhD Business and Management at the University of Manchester and the PhD at London Business School.

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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