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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115513  Doctor of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 
The purpose of the qualification is to develop highly advanced and specialised academic study of some aspect or field of the social sciences, with emphasis on research which contributes original knowledge to the field of study capable of withstanding international intellectual scrutiny. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A formal qualification at a Master's Degree level (NQF Level 8) or recognition of high level practical and intellectual competencies regarded as sufficiently equivalent. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The candidate should demonstrate:
1. An understanding of the broad field of social theory and practice and the location of the specialised study within that field.
2. Advanced and comprehensive knowledge of a specialised field of Social Sciences and Humanities.
3. A developed capacity for intellectual independence in the Social Sciences and Humanities and across disciplinary boundaries.
4. An ability to advise others in respect to social sciences research.
5. Produce a thesis which systematically investigates a substantial research problem and satisfies international standards of research and scholarship in the relevant field.

Critical Outcomes:
1. Identification and solution of problems, displaying critical and creative thinking in the process.
2. Working effectively with others in a team, group, organisation, community.
3. Organising themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written persuasion.
6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of a thesis which satisfies current international standards in the principal area of inquiry. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
This qualification allows for horizontal articulation option:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    The qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Sciences.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Music.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Geography.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in History.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Translation Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Nelson Mandela University 


    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.