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 Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
19666  Doctor of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
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
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 qualification is:

1. To equip the qualifying learner with the necessary critical insight, maturity of judgement and experience to undertake independent advanced study and original research in the specialised field of Nursing Science.

2. To broaden and deepen the knowledge base of the field of nursing specialisation by the generation of new knowledge or insight and the exploration of uncharted territory,

3. To enable the qualifying learner, as a member of the international community of scholars, to participate in and contribute to the universal pursuit of knowledge and by so doing, advance the frontiers of science

4. To produce leaders in the field of Nursing Science who will take responsibility for the training of the next generation of scholars and for ensuring quality higher education in the future

5. To provide South Africa with a sufficient number of highly qualified Nurse Practitioners to maintain its leadership position on the continent and ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of growing global competition. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1. Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

2. First degree: BCur (unless admission to the Master's programme has been obtained in accordance with the special requirements as stated for the MCur degree.

3. Honours degree: HonsBCur (unless a 2 year Master in Nursing Science has been obtained)

4. Master's degree: A Master's degree in Nursing Science of the university of Stellenbosch or any other degree of an acceptable standard as approved by the Senate of the university of Stellenbosch. Depending on the chosen area of research, additional work and or proof of competency may be required. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The DCur graduate will:

1. Deal with complexities, lacunae and or contradictions in the knowledge and skills base of the chosen field of study.

2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the complexity of the problems involved; cognisance of the latest developments on the international research science as far as the specific subject is concerned.

3. Demonstrate, as an expert nursing science practitioner, understanding of the relevance and applicability of proposed solutions and participates in the promotion of the quality of life of the local community, the South African population and the global community.

4. Do independent research in the chosen field of study and select appropriate tools and research methods with confidence.

5. Synthesise and evaluate information autonomously

6. Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria.

7. Communicates fully and professionally with other colleagues working in the field

8. Produce a dissertation that place research within the broader context of the field and which withstands international intellectual scrutiny.

9. Contribute to original knowledge in the field of health and related sciences and undertake further research at an advanced level

10. Identify and find solutions to, health related problems through advanced research and the use of critical and creative thinking.

11. Demonstrate leadership of health care teams and groups in the community.

12. Demonstrate the capacity for advanced organisational management.

13. Critically appraise and explore a variety of research strategies.

14. Communicate professionally and confidently with other colleagues in the field of Nursing Science at both national and international levels.

The Dcur graduate will demonstrate:

15. Intellectual independence

16. Mature and sound judgement, accountable and reliable assessment of the views of others.

17. Transcendence of personal prejudice and or parochial views

18. High levels of self-reflexivity and adaptability

19. An enquiring mind and an innovative spirit

20. Adherence to professional or self-defined ethics, academic integrity

21. Dedication to the ideals of scholarship. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Candidates must submit a Doctoral dissertation containing the report of their research.

The dissertation has to meet all the standards and requirements of a Doctoral dissertation - which includes proof of successful integration of all the elements required to substantiate the central thesis and contributions of the study. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
None 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessmen practices of the department.

In addition to two or mor internal examiners (who usually staff members of the university of Stellenbosch), standard university regulations require that one or more external examiner(s) of international scholarly repute in the field of Nursing Science, have to assess Doctoral dissertations.

The reports on the Doctoral dissertation submitted by the internal and external examiners are considered at the Faculty Board (usually acting on the advice of an expert Faculty Committee specially constituted for each individual Doctoral dissertation) and approved by Senate. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner in accordance with the quality assurance system of the university.


In addition to two or more internal examiners (who are usually staff members of the university of Stellenbosch), standard university regulations require that one or more external examiner(s) of international scholarly repute have to assess Doctoral dissertations in terms of a list of standard criteria, and submit written reports. 

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. Stellenbosch University 


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.