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: 

Doctor of Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16395  Doctor of Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  Preventive 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
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 degree is to undertake independent and original clinical or laboratory research and advanced study, without the requirement of a supervisor, building on knowledge gained in a particular medical area and to produce a thesis on an approved medical subject which shows evidence of original scholarship. As is the case with a Ph D, such knowledge would add to the scholarly advancement of the particular branch of medicine at an international level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The programme requires that the entrant will have obtained a medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) and will have registered as a medical doctor. If the candidate did not obtain the medical degree at UCT, the work done towards the MD must be done at UCT.

The skills will normally be those required as outcomes for a doctorate in a given discipline. Content will be dictated by the requirements of the specific discipline.

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

First degree:
MBChB

Honours degree:
If the candidate does not have an honours level professional degree he/she is required to have an honours degree or equivalent

Other qualifications:
A degree equivalent to the MBChB 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
a). Critical cross-field outcomes (generic to all teaching and learning)

The qualifier will be able to apply advanced methods of research and will be able to think and research independently

b). General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme)

The learner will be able to apply advanced methods of research and will be able to think and research independently

c). Specific Outcomes, including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated

The graduate will have:
  • In-depth knowledge of a specified field of medicine
  • Contributed new knowledge to the chosen field of medicine
  • Ability to review relevant international literature critically and to report on such literature 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    a). The candidate will demonstrate:
  • The successful application of advanced research methods
  • Writing that exhibits understanding of general scientific principles and ethics
  • Capacity for original thought

    b). Assessment criteria of these outcomes:
  • The successful application of advanced research methods
  • Writing that exhibits understanding of general scientific principles and ethics
  • Capacity for original thought

    c). How the achievement will be demonstrated:

    Evaluation of scholarly work by recognised international experts in the field, showing that the outcomes have been achieved


    Integrated assessment:

    Peer-reviewed examination by three international experts in the field of a doctoral thesis. The candidate may be required to present him/herself for an oral examination 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    None 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner that is consistent with the quality assurance system of the University 

    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 Cape Town 


    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.