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: 

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
22392  Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Curative 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 
Pharmaceutical science is a major field of study dealing with the discovery, formulation, design, testing and use of drug products to improve the health status of society. The number of persons active in this field in South Africa is far below the international norms resulting in gross insufficiencies in the pharmaceutical industry, academia and services. The aim of this qualification is to train highly skilled researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences (i.e. pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology or pharmacy practice).

Learners who have completed this qualification will be competent to apply research methodology and techniques at this level in the pharmaceutical sciences. They will have the education and training to contribute to national and international endeavours to improve the health status of society, and raise the status of the University of the Western Cape and South Africa as centres of excellence in applied research. The new qualification is specifically instituted to meet the needs of non-pharmacy learners to continue further study in the pharmaceutical sciences. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy Management, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Generate and interpret data of high integrity in the specialised field in the pharmaceutical sciences;
  • Report and disseminate the findings of the research project orally and in writing to appropriate audiences;
  • Accurately assess and critically evaluate literature and original contributions in the pharmaceutical sciences;
  • Provide independent analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information in the selected specialised field of study;
  • Identify, define and provide solutions to research problems;
  • Apply highly specialised knowledge of the field of study to the development of the pharmaceutical sciences;
  • Confidently deploy well-developed research skills and methods, implementing the newest technology in the field of study;
  • Train scientists in research methodology in the selected field of the pharmaceutical sciences. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Master the appropriate methods and techniques of research;
  • Be familiar with the relevant literature;
  • Understand the nature of the problem or topic;
  • Appreciate the significance of the findings;
  • Present the results using and appropriate literary style and presentation free from errors;
  • Obtain a clear understanding of the material or techniques covered;
  • Meet all the objectives of the course module.

    Integrated assessment:
    A variety of integrated assessment methods are used, both formative and summative. These are designed to test practical skills and competencies as well as theoretical and descriptive knowledge. The assessment methods include tests and examinations, as well as a range of academic and practical assignments (tests, essays, practical research reports, presentations and thesis) designed to develop the full potential of each learner and to realise the multiple learning outcomes of the qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Clinical Pharmacy, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy, 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 the Western Cape 


    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.