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 Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115159  Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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 Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology provides training for an academic career. It requires a learner to research the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. Further, learners may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment of the research requirements. Coursework may be required as preparation or value addition to the research but does not contribute to the credit value of the qualification. 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 Information technology. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The qualification may be earned through pure IT discipline-based or multidisciplinary research or applied research. This qualification requires a minimum of two years' full-time or a maximum of six years of full-time or part-time study, usually after completing a Master's qualification. A learner should be able to supervise and evaluate the research of others in the IT field.

Rationale:
The PhD in Information technology is multidisciplinary; this allows for accommodation of learners from (1) computer science; (2) software engineering (3) information systems; and (4) telecommunications. Although the main research area is Computer and Information Science; interdisciplinary areas that have the main focus in IT are also included.
The qualification is designed to fit with the institution's mission, strategic goals and core values summed up by the Vision 2020. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution will apply its RPL policy to address learners who do not meet the admission requirements.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Information Science, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Science in Information Systems, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules NQF 10, 360 Credits:
  • Research thesis/dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the scientific body of knowledge relevant to the topic where a learner must:
    2. Understand and explain the fundamentals of the relevant subjects.
    3. Identify and discuss the areas of conflict and consensus, and the gaps in an existing body of knowledge and what bearing they have on the topic.
    4. Formulate an appropriate research design and a clear research plan.
    5. Independently formulate, investigate and resolve research issues.
    6. Discuss the relationship between the existing relevant body of knowledge and the proposed research.
    7. Make a distinct (significant and original) contribution to the existing body of knowledge in the area of specialisation.
    8. Draw meaningful conclusions and make generalisations.
    9. Validate and contextualise his or her research contribution.
    10. Identify and discuss questions raised and how they could be investigated in future research.
    11. Demonstrate the ability to work independently.
    12. Demonstrate proficiency in inappropriate research methodology and scientific writing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria:
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Develop and defend a formal research proposal seminar.
  • Produce at least one progress report, and one published article band submit to a reputable journal or conference.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The research thesis will be examined by at least three recognised examiners (at least one of them should be from outside of South Africa); this will be followed by an oral defence if required. Learners may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment of the research requirements. Further assessment will be applied as stipulated by the Institution's regulations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparability exercise was undertaken amongst related Schools and Departments from international institutions. The following are the findings:
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology- Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering offer a PhD qualification in Information Technology is standardised to 180 Credits (3 years).
  • North-West University: School of Information Technology - Philosophiae Doctor (PhD): Information Technology.
  • MIT's Management Sloan School - PhD (Information Technologies).
  • Makerere University, Uganda: College of Computing and Information Sciences - PhD (Information Technology).
    The above confirms that the PhD (Information Technology) is common among international universities. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management, NQF 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.
     
    1. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    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.