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 Philosophy in Social Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19087  Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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  216  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 
To provide qualifiers with a capacity for advanced study and research as well as depth of knowledge in a complex and specialised area.

To produce a dissertation which withstand international scrutiny and contribute to original knowledge in the field.

To provide South Africa with doctorate graduates in Social Science who can assume leadership while working in a group toward defined outcomes and maintain full professional communication with other specialists in the field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The candidate has obtained a Master of Social Science degree at Fort Hare or has obtained a Masters degree of similar status at any university inside or outside the R.S.A.

The candidate has passed, at a university institution inside or outside the R.S.A., an examination equivalent to or higher than the examinations prescribed for a Master of Social Science degree at Fort Hare. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Statement of exit level outcomes:

A person achieving this qualification should be able to do the following:

1. Advance study and research demonstrating understanding and a depth of knowledge in a complex and specialised area. This must lead to a research proposal followed by a dissertation on an appropriate topic that will be assessed by appointed examiners.

2. Deal with complexity, shortages and contradictions in the knowledge base.

3. Independent evaluation of alternative approaches and theories and the application of critical thinking and a problem-solving attitude.

4.The ability to work in a team including professional communication with other specialists in the field, if required by the project, towards defined outcomes.

5. Present a comprehensive, scientific dissertation and to gain expert status in the specific subject field. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Assessment Criteria:

The Learners can:

1. Students' ability to identify a researchable topic; to collect, select, analyze and synthesize information and to generate new knowledge will be assessed.

2. Students' ability to deal with problems and where applicable, to formulate hypothesis and construct models that will be original contributions to the subject and will withstand international intellectual scrutiny, will be assessed.

3. Assessment will include students' ability to accurately, critically and justifiably assess his/her own work and others' work.

4. The candidate's ability to assume leadership, motivate others, negotiate and resolve conflict will be assessed.

5. Assessment will include scrutiny by external examiners, peer reviews and the ability of the student to defend his/her work.

Integrated Assessment procedures to ensure that the purpose of qualification is achieved:

a) The research proposal must be approved by the Faculty Research Committee, the Faculty Board and Senate.

b) The candidate's thesis will be examined by appointing internal and external examiners. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Articulation of qualifications in specific cases will be discussed and decided on at faculty level when the need arises, e.g. a student holding a Masters degree in Anthropology may be admired to a Ph. D in Archaeology (vertical articulation). Horizontal articulation may also take place for instance a student with a M. A. in History (Faculty of Humanities) may be admitted to a Ph. D in Archaeology (Faculty of Social Sciences). 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The moderating will be done by:

Appointing external examiners with level 8 qualifications from other universities and/or experts from professional bodies.

Co-supervisors (where necessary) with level 8 qualifications and research experience.

The heads of department of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Faculty Research Committee and Senate 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
An internal examiner with a level 8 qualification and research experience in the candidates field of study will be appointed as assessor. 

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

NOTES 
N/A 

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
 
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 Fort Hare 


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.