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: 

Bachelor of Science in Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116296  Bachelor of Science in Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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 purpose of the qualification is to enable registered, achieving MBChB learners who wish to interrupt their MBChB studies to focus on a significant course that interests them, for one year. Having obtained the BSc (Medicine) Degree, they usually return to the MBChB or exit to enter clinical sciences professions. It also allows MBChB learners who wish to return to MBChB, the opportunity to do so with additional knowledge.

Rationale:
The qualification aims to develop clinical scientists as opposed to specialists, and this Degree assists MBChB learners to enter the clinical medical science career track. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
As the Degree is only available to MBChB learners, RPL is not applicable.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The BSc (Medicine) shall have at least 360 Credits, of which a minimum of 120 Credits shall be at HEQSF Level 7 (third-year level) and a maximum of 96 credits at HEQSF Level 5 (first-year level).
    Learners will receive credit for courses in chemistry, physics and biomedical sciences they have completed in MBChB years 1, 2 and 3, and they then complete at least one major at third-year BSc level which builds on one of the biomedical sciences courses they had completed as part of the MBChB degree. The structure allows three options: Selected MBChB courses plus three third-year level courses (a major in third-year Molecular Medicine and two third-year level courses in Physiology from the Faculty of Science), Or selected MBChB courses plus one significant in third-year Molecular Medicine as well as two second-year level courses in molecular cell biology and metabolism; Or selected MBChB courses plus two half courses in physiology at third-year level plus two second-year level courses in molecular cell biology plus metabolism. The credits in all cases meet the minima for a Bachelor's Degree. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve problems, in which responses display that critical and creative thinking, have been involved.
    2. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    3. Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and language skills in oral and written modes.
    4. Use science and technology effectively and critically.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    6. Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    7. Specialist knowledge and appropriate research competence. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge of selected research areas.
  • Define a research problem.
  • Formulate a hypothesis.
  • Describe ways to test the hypothesis.
  • Design an experiment that will lead to meaningful results.
  • Conduct experiments, with reasonable technical competence in a range of techniques appropriate to the disciplines.
  • Recognise the importance of lab safety issues.
  • Work independently and produce meaningful results.
  • Interpret results.
  • Discuss and integrate data with general scientific literature.

    Integrated Assessment
    Formative Assessment:
  • Class tests, assignments, practicals.

    Summative Assessment
  • Theoretical and practical examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification can be a three or 4-year undergraduate academic Degree in other parts of the world. Australia and India are offering the same qualification and the articulation process for learners to re-enter the MBChB is also practised in the United Kingdom. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    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.