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: 

Master of Medicine in Orthopaedics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
14903  Master of Medicine in Orthopaedics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0335/25  2024-06-30  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 purpose of this qualification is to obtain registration with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a specialist clinician in the field of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The qualification aims to provide South Africa with specialist clinicians in the field of Orthopaedics in order to provide and promote health care of the highest standard and the continual development of a high level of knowledge and expertise that is comparable with the internationally set standards in the field.

Learners will have comprehensive, in-depth knowledge, highly specialised technical (including diagnostic and therapeutic) skills and well-developed research skills in the field of Orthopaedics. An attitude of lifelong learning will be fostered, ensuring continuing self-development and development of the field.

Society will gain specialist clinicians in the field of Orthopaedics leading to higher efficacy of patient care, contributing also to the prevention of disease and promotive health in the community.

Rationale: 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
  • Register with Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Obtain and assimilate scientific knowledge and associated practical experience appropriate to the discipline, to be applied critically in patient assessment and management.
    2. Obtain professional and technical skills required to competently assess and manage patients.
    3. Maintain continued competence and show continuous interest in new developments in the specialist field as a lifelong learner.
    4. Act professionally and ethically.
    5. Undertake and complete a relevant research study. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Portfolios.
    Simulations.
    Work-place assessments.
    Written examinations.
    Oral examinations.

    Other:
    One or more written examinations are set at predetermined intervals and especially at or close to the conclusion of the prescribed study period. One or more oral and practical examinations may similarly be set. These written, oral and practical examinations are set to a high standard and are conducted in a manner which ensures a comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the theoretical knowledge, acquired experience and clinical/practical skills of the learner. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Orthopaedics, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    One or more internal assessors from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria.
    One or more external assessors from other national tertiary educational institutions in the appropriate field of study.
    Specialist private practitioner(s). 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    M Med (Orthopaedic) and/or FCS (Orthopaedic) or recognised equivalent qualifications(s).

    Career experience required:
    Appropriate research/teaching/academic/clinical post-graduate experience.

    Other criteria:
    Faculty member of an accredited Faculty of Medicine.
    Registration as a specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon with the HPCSA 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of Pretoria 


    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.