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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Physiotherapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15372  Doctor of Physiotherapy 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 
The aim of the qualification is to afford recognition to a learner who enjoys international recognition by virtue of outstanding and extensive research, and is conferred by virtue of publications.

The national and international leadership base of innovative and knowledge based scholarly activity, is thus ensured and widened, and the provision of post-doctoral opportunities will encourage continued personal intellectual growth and rewarding contributions to Physiotherapy and health care.

The development of new knowledge, frameworks, paradigms and models, as well as theories are included with the intention of extending the body of knowledge of Physiotherapy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Physiotherapy, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The D Phys T learner will demonstrate:
    1.Proof of outstanding, extensive, highly specialised and advanced research skills which enjoy international recognition.
    2. Planning, resourcing, managing and optimising all aspects engaged in the process of Physiotherapy research.
    3. Complete accountability for determining, achieving and evaluating all personal and group output in Physiotherapy research.
    4. Academic leadership and in-depth knowledge in the field of specialisation.
    5. The generalisation, conceptualisation, evaluation and synthesis of information and concepts in Physiotherapy, applying critical thinking and expert problem solving competencies.
    6. The competencies to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within the relevant national and international context.
    7. Sensitivity with regards to the ethical implications of Physiotherapy research and consideration for socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa.
    8. Proven competence in preparation of research articles and other scientific reports published in refereed and internationally accredited journals. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
    To meet the requirements for the qualification, the competencies of the learners are assessed on the basis of:
  • Scholarly output on national and international level in the form of publications assessed by national or international assessors.
  • The capacity to defend scholarly arguments and research findings.
  • The ability to debate the contribution made to Physiotherapy science.
  • Written publications of research, including other scientific publications in the field of expertise.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Conferment by virtue of publications:
    The qualification is conferred by virtue of the publications of a learner who enjoys international recognition by virtue of outstanding and extensive research.

    Assessment is according to the stipulations of General Regulation G.56:
  • The Dean appoints a committee chaired by the head of department, to make a recommendation to the faculty board as to whether or not the publications must be submitted for examination by an examination panel consisting of an internal examiner and two external examiners. The latter must be internationally recognised in the learner's particular field of research. They may not be in the university's employ and must preferably be researchers from abroad.
  • The learner passes if all the examiners of the examination panel accept the publications for the purposes of conferment of the doctoral qualification. If one of the examiners does not accept the work, the dean may appoint an additional examiner. If the additional examiner accepts the work, the learner passes. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.