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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116979  Doctor of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the 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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Philosophy. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose:
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy is to develop the competencies of the Postgraduate student in a chosen field of specialisation on an advanced level. It requires a student to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels, which will be evident in the acceptance of a thesis. This qualification enables the student to make a direct and original academic contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the area of specialisation.

Rationale:
In developing a consolidated Programme Qualification Mix (PQM), University of Johannesburg (UJ) decided to work with a generic qualification as opposed to multiple qualifications. In specific fields, specialised Doctor of Philosophy (PhDs) have been developed (for example, Doctor of Philosophy in Art and Design, etc.). The chosen field of study includes sub-disciplines of Arts, Design, Finance, Economics, Education, Engineering, Health Science, Law, Management and Science.

A PhD offers graduates with Master's Degrees an opportunity to advance to the highest academic level in a chosen field of specialisation. These students will demonstrate high- level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution to the chosen field of specialisation. The aim is to prepare students for an academic career and requires a candidate to undertake research that culminates in a thesis. Furthermore, the research that is produced should be of a publishable standard, thereby demonstrating an original contribution to the body of knowledge. This implies that there is no assessed coursework component, although coursework may be included to facilitate the completion of the Degree.

Each Classification of Educational Subject Matter (CESM) addition has been carefully considered by relevant recognised professional bodies where applicable, and the different quality structures within the faculty involved and the University. The specialisations represent developed areas of competence at the University and in some cases are niche areas. They also provide articulation for graduates from within the University as well as external applicants who wish to pursue their interests in the designated qualifications.

Given the generic nature of the qualification, students would have demonstrated mastery in the specific area that they elect to pursue through this qualification.

The nature of the qualification ensures that students will contribute new knowledge to the specific discipline, enhance research skills and tangibly impact on the University's research output. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Recognition (RPL):
The University of Johannesburg has an RPL policy. Given the nature of this qualification, students must be able to demonstrate that they have the required assumptions of learning to undertake the level of advanced intellectual study required for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). This includes

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirements are an appropriate Master's Degree in the designated field of specialisation as per the rules and regulations of the University. Provision is made for alternate forms of access to the qualification based on the rules and regulations of the University. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Doctoral students will be allowed to proceed with their thesis after completion of a research proposal. The thesis should take a maximum of 4 years or a minimum of 2 years to complete. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Demonstrate a high level research capability; in depth knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area or across multiple areas.
2. Make a significant an original academic contribution in the discipline, within academic, professional and/or defined ethics.
3. Conduct independent self-generated research. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to solve complex, unfamiliar territories.
  • Apply knowledge and theory accurately to new contexts.
  • Interrogate existing knowledge boundaries and practices and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.
  • Unique contribution to the discipline and provide research leadership within a field or across disciplines.
  • Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability intellectual independence.
  • Challenge complexities and contradictions in the knowledge base.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment takes place through the thesis, in which the student is expected to show competency in all outcomes and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the existing literature across the entire area of the investigation.

    Each student is assigned a supervisor based on their area of specialisation. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Policy: Student-supervisor relationship outlines the rights and obligations of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students and supervisors and co-supervisors. It gives a clear and concise outline of the expectations of both parties with the aim of aiding the development and maintenance of a sound and productive relationship between student and supervisor. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared to the following qualifications from the identified institutions:
  • Doctor of Philosophy at the Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. United States of America.
  • Doctor of Philosophy at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
  • Doctor of Philosophy at the Australian National University in Australia.

    The Doctor of Philosophy compares favourably with these qualifications. The focus is to prepare Doctoral students to become productive researchers and also those interested to become academics at top research universities. The commonality is that a final thesis is submitted at the end of the study period. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Auditing
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Econometrics
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Employment Relations
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Finance
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Fundamental Communication
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Management
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Change
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing Management
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Political Studies
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Management and Governance
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Taxation 
    		•

    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. University of the 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.