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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111511  Doctor of Optometry 
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
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 qualification is intended to provide the country with 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. 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 optometry through an original contribution that advances the frontiers of knowledge. In so doing, the learner 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:
In order to advance the National Development plan for health care, new solutions that are effective, of quality and of reasonable costs need to be developed to ensure the upliftment of health, particularly for eye health and vision, within all communities within South Africa, its surrounds and further afield. Research knowledge and skills are important to advance the field of Optometry, and its sub-disciplines, in order to provide solutions to common and complex problems relating to eye health and vision and to provide for a cadre of leaders in the Optometry field locally, nationally and at an international level. 

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.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.
  • Thesis (Optometry), 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 an Optometry 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 Optometry.
    4. Communicate with peers, the larger scholarly community and with society in general, about own 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 are 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 Optometry.
  • Research is relevant to the field of Optometry.
  • The work is of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.
  • A Learner is able to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of Optometry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Applies a broad and specialised knowledge of the field of Optometry 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 Optometry 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 Optometry 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 Optometry, 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 Optometry 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, is clearly explained to and understood by the learners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The following qualifications are comparable in terms of outcomes, type of qualification and level on the respective country's qualification frameworks.

    The University of Auckland, New Zealand offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry and Vision Science. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a globally recognised Postgraduate research Degree, the highest level of Degree that can be achieve. The qualification is taken over three years. Doctoral learners are expected to do supervised original research, as well as expand and develop their personal and professional skills. Doctoral learners present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.

    The University of Manchester offers a Doctor in Philosophy in the Discipline of Optometry. Learners can enter with a Bachelor of Science Honours in a related field or a Master of Philosophy or equivalent qualification. Entering with a Bachelor of Science Honours requires more time to fulfil the typical three-year programme.

    At the University of Waterloo in Canada, Master Degree learners may enter into a two-year Doctoral study in vision science. Although learner may have to take courses on methodology, and vision sciences required for the study, the degree results in a research thesis. The thesis embodies the results of a learner's research program, and, especially at the Graduate level, is a substantial and original piece of work. Learners are the sole authors of their theses, but the work is carried out under the supervision of a faculty member. Learners are expected to maintain a culture of academic integrity, promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Relevant Doctoral qualification, 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.