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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Pharmacy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111509  Doctor of Pharmacy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 qualificationis intended to provide the country with qualifying learners who have specialised holistic scholarship and well-developed research and practical skills in a specialised field and can therefore serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. Qualifying Learners will master skills in all aspects of the research method including the identification of a problem, literature review, project planning, data collection and analysis, report writing and oral presentation of results. The learner will engage with a specialisation within a particular field of pharmacy through an original contribution that advances the frontiers of knowledge. In so doing, qualifying learners will lead research and will be able to engage with a variety of audiences to advance the speciality and contribute to advances in society.

Rationale:
The qualification is well aligned to the national priority of providing improved levels of health and well-being specifically through Postgraduate academic and research related qualifications aimed at providing professionals trained at advanced levels of health services provision. Typical learners who enrol in this qualification are already qualified Pharmacists holding a cognate Master's qualification and are seeking further specialisation in the fields of Pharmaceutics or Pharmacology. Earners graduating in Pharmaceutics will have specialised in the formulation of drugs for optimal delivery and those in Pharmacology will have specialised in studying the physiological and biochemical effects of drugs. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to access the qualification where the admission requirements do not relate directly to the disciplinary area, but where a multi-disciplinary approach can be applied. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual learners against the admission requirements on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained. The Institution has trained RPL in various disciplinary fields to facilitate this process.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master's Degree in Pharmacy, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis (Pharmacy), 360 Credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan, design, implement and adapt a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.
    2. Make a contribution through original research in a Pharmacy discipline that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work which merits national or international refereed publication.
    3. Conduct critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas applicable to Pharmacy.
    4. Communicate with their peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general, about their areas of expertise.
    5. Promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge-based society. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Research question or hypothesis is relevant and structured in alignment with the research conducted.
  • Literature review contains appropriate depth, is relevant and contemporary, and is contextualised to support the research.
  • Research design and methodology used is appropriate to answer the research question.
  • Sample size and methods for research, where applicable is appropriate.
  • Research design, methodology and the critique and reflection thereof is sufficient to provide an accurate analysis, interpretation, and substantiation of results.
  • Ethical considerations have been applied to all aspects of the research, interpretation and the writing of the report, including plagiarism.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A high level of research capability making a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of the discipline and field of Pharmacy.
  • Research is relevant to the field of Pharmacy.
  • The learner's work is of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.
  • Learner is able to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of Pharmacy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Applies a broad and specialised knowledge of the field of Pharmacy and associated areas to address complex practical and theoretic problems in creative and innovative ways.
  • Critique of new knowledge and emerging trends within the discipline of Pharmacy is relevant.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Discuss ideas and interests in an articulated manner, using appropriate discourse to a variety of audiences.
  • Present results and findings to the larger scholarly community in oral or written formats.
  • Participate in debates and arguments within the Pharmacy sector for the advancement of the discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Argue concepts and ideas logically, based on evidence and factual information in Pharmacy, to contribute towards the social well-being of the community and nation at large.
  • Play a national and international advocacy role in sustainable development of the Pharmacy Health Science sector.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification due to the outcomes being a research thesis. The thesis is assessed in accordance with the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessment, which assesses the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Evaluation of learner performance to demonstrate applied competence: and criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners and that, can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Curtin University in Australia offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacy) by research. The Doctoral qualification prepares learners to acquire a systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised research skills to advance learning and/or professional practice corresponding to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 10 qualifications. Learners undertake a program of independent supervised study and produce significant and original research outcomes culminating in a thesis, dissertation, exegesis or equivalent for independent examination. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal articulation:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctoral qualification within the Pharmacy sector, 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.
     
    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.