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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medicine in Neurology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16445  Master of Medicine in Neurology 
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
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive 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
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 qulification aims to supply South Africa with a sufficient number of well-trained, competent neurologists to attend to the neurological care of the community. Some of these neurologists will contribute to academic needs such as training health professionals and conducting research.

This qualification forms part of the credentialing process, for medical practitioners, as specialists in neurology. The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) stipulates training requirements, including a minimum period of experiential learning. It is usual for the examination to be taken and passed before the completion of the required period of supervised learning specified by the HPCSA. This qualification aims to meet the needs for formal examination certification, as well as to set standards, nationally, for such a qualification (the country's 8 medical schools may offer equivalent qualifications). 

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 Medical and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
  • Two years of supervised medical practice that may include the internship year, and the year of compulsory community service. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Diagnose and manage neurological problems.
    2. Perform and interpret clinical neuropsychological studies.
    3. Competence in neuropathology, neurochemistry, and neuroradiology.
    4. Conduct and present independent research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    a) 1. Ability to identify and resolve problems using critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to identify and sue a variety of sources of knowledge and factual information.
  • Ability to use science and technology appropriately.
  • Ability to work as a team member.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to individuals, families and to the community, and to recognise and respect cultural diversity.
  • Ability to organise and arrange one's activities effectively.
  • A well-developed sense of responsibility.


    b) 1. Ability to identify and resolve problems using critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to identify and sue a variety of sources of knowledge and factual information.
  • Ability to use science and technology appropriately.
  • Ability to work as a team member.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to individuals, families and to the community, and to recognise and respect cultural diversity.
  • Ability to organise and arrange one's activities effectively.
  • A well-developed sense of responsibility.

    c) 1. Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose neurological problems
  • Demonstrate the ability to manage neurological problems with skill and sensitivity
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the aetiology, physiology, and pathology of neurological disease
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically assess the medical literature to remain informed
  • Demonstrate the ability to select and interpret appropriate investigations relevant to neurological disease
  • Demonstrate the ability to liase with clinicians, allied health professionals, technical, and laboratory staff to optimise patient care
  • Demonstrate the ability to lead, communicate, advocate, and conduct health-promoting interventions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to select and perform neurophysiological studies to assist in patient care.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret neuropathology, neurochemistry, and neuroradiology to diagnose and manage neurological problems
  • Demonstrate the ability to collect and analyse data to draw conclusions for publication and to inform decision-making.

    Integrated assessment:
    Certification by the head of the candidate's training programme that they have completed at least 1 year of a full-time post internship training as a neurology registrar or clinical assistant in a teaching hospital department of neurology or 2 years in a teaching hospital department of neurology plus 1 year as a registrar in a non-teaching hospital affiliated to the medical school.

    One year before eligible to write Part I
    Part I and a further 2 years experience before eligible to write Part II
    Part III must be submitted within two years of completion of training. 
    		•

    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, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Neurology, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Neurology, 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 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.