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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Quantity Surveying 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49095  Doctor of Quantity Surveying 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Quantity Surveying 
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 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The principal purposes of the qualification are to:
  • Provide advanced training in research methods and procedures.
  • Facilitate appropriate, advanced study.
  • Train qualified persons
    > Who are capable of undertaking research at an advanced level.
    > Whose work will be to the advantage of the national economy.
    > With the capacity to work independently on advanced research projects.
    > Who are competent to work as educators and researchers in institutions of higher learning.
    > With the capacity to work in teams appointed to conduct advanced research.
    > For employment in fields of economic activity related to the built environment.

    The following table illustrates the relationship between the PhD and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF):
  • NQF Principle: Recognition of Prior learning, Doctor of Quantity Surveying: Allows for Recognition of Prior Learning as a means of career advancement.
  • NQF Principle: Articulation/Progression, Doctor of Quantity Surveying: Forms part of a learning pathway incorporating a range of qualifications in Quantity Surveying and related disciplines.
  • NQF Principle: Life-Long learning, Doctor of Quantity Surveying: Produces qualifying learners who are prepared for and understand the principles of:
    > Life-long learning.
    > Critical citizenship.
    > Lateral, critical and creative thinking.
    > A wide range of issues which are crucial to the welfare of the society.

    Rationale:

    The Doctor of Quantity Surveying is awarded on successful completion of research which makes a substantial and original contribution to the international body of knowledge related to the built environment, encourages and supports pursuance of related research-based enquiry and promotes the dissemination of previously-unpublished information.

    The research, and other advanced study which may be required, is undertaken under the guidance of a supervisor or supervisors appointed for that purpose:

    The PhD is
  • For persons who:
    > Meet the admission requirements.
    > Satisfy the requirements for the award of the qualification.
    > Desire to undertake research and possibly other advanced study, at the highest postgraduate level.
  • Intended to assist all relevant stakeholders and role-players, such as potential employers operating in the built environment or other fields related to physical planning and construction, curriculum developers and providers of learning programmes, all education and training bodies, moderators, learners and their parents, to understand the criteria which determine the level and the outcomes associated with this postgraduate programme. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • A qualification at Master's level, or equivalent.
  • Prior experience in research.
  • Demonstrable competence for analytical thought at a level appropriate to conducting advanced independent research and advanced study.
  • Good communication skills.

    Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

    Persons desiring entrance to the programme leading to this Qualification are:
  • Advised, assisted and supported (portfolio compilation, orientation to required levels of competence, substantiation of their claims regarding prior skills / experience, planning of progression).
  • Evaluated and assessed in accordance with their claims regarding prior skills and experience gained (portfolio review, implementation of assessment / evaluation methods, recommendations arising from the assessment / evaluation processes).
  • Provided with quality management / assurance objectives to support the achievement of competence leading to the award of the Qualification (assessment of competence in respect of required outcomes, auditing, approval, recommendation, reporting).

    Access to the qualification
  • Any Master's level qualification recognised for the purposes of access to this advanced.
    or
  • Appropriate prior learning, skills / competence and experience which has been evaluated and assessed in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy defined in the South African Qualifications Framework (SAQA) Act 1998 (No 58 of 1998). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Credits and learning components

    A minimum of 360 credits is assigned to the PhD, which is awarded for the successful completion of a research thesis. Since this is a (specialised) post-graduate qualification, all credits pertain to elective learning. Fundamental and core learning is assumed to be in place. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    There are no interim exit levels. The qualification is awarded on completion of the programme. Qualifying learners are competent to demonstrate:
  • A thorough grounding in epistemological issues and research methods.
  • A thorough familiarity with the relevant literature.
  • Their capacity for independent execution of the following research tasks:
    > Writing a research proposal.
    > Using literature to identify the theoretical issues pertaining to the proposal.
    > Formulating precise research questions.
    > Selecting or devising appropriate research methods.
    > Executing the research.
    > Critical analysis of the results and findings emanating from the research.
    > Writing up the research.
  • Competence in carrying out research of a quality suitable for publication in international peer-reviewed journals (i e research that significantly contributes to knowledge). 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Qualifying learners will be required to demonstrate:
  • Understanding of epistemological and methodological issues in drafting a research thesis.
  • Thorough and critical familiarity with the relevant literature.
  • Competence in conducting advanced research, related to:
    > Writing a research proposal.
    > Conducting a critical literature review.
    > Structuring precise research questions.
    > Selecting or devising appropriate research methods.
    > Executing the research.
    > Application of recognised referencing methods.
    > Critical analysis of the results emanating from the research.
    > Writing up the research thesis.
  • Excellent linguistic skills, including correct spelling, grammar, text formatting and presentation.
  • That their work meets the prerequisite standards for publication in international peer-reviewed journals (i e research that significantly contributes to knowledge).

    Integrated assessment

    The evaluation of a doctoral thesis:
  • Is formative in character.
  • Synoptically assesses all outcomes.

    Examiners submit formal reports on the thesis, which should be made available to the candidate. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    An accepted doctoral thesis is expected to be of a standard and rigour comparable with international benchmarks. Required quality is assured by the design of external examination systems associated with doctoral degree programmes.
  • All Quantity Surveying programmes leading to the awarding of QS qualifications offered by tertiary institutions in South Africa, have, in common with other sought-after and comparable qualification programmes offered by tertiary institutions in:
    > Australia
    > New Zealand
    > Hong Kong
    > Singapore
    > Kenya
    > Nigeria
    > Tanzania
    > Canada
    > England
    > Scotland
    > Ireland
    > Wales
    (Which, since 1927 (i.e for the past 78 years) have , through innumerable mutually-beneficial, multi-organisational, international-supported):
    > Consultations
    > Quality assurance guidelines and policies
    > Academic presentations
    > Shared projects including research, preparation of refereed conference papers and *authorship of other publications
    > Visiting lectureships/ professorships
    > Staff exchanges
    > Working groups
    > Multi-national professional practice interaction
    > 5-yearly multi-national programme accreditation visits, administrative links
    > Shared interest groups and
    > Formal reciprocal agreements
    Assisted in ensuring the sustained quality of South African QS qualifications.

    International roleplayers and stakeholders in QS education/ quality assurance/management have never severed their close relationships with their counterpart in South Africa (even under political duress) and have continued to work closely with the South African Universities of Pretoria, Cape Town, Natal (now KwaZuluNatal), Witwatersrand, Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan) and the Orange Free State (now Free State) and more recently, technikons in South Africa.

    South African quantity surveying qualifications meet standards of quality comparable with international benchmarks established for vocational first degrees in the built environment professions, as demanded and assured by processes of accreditation conducted by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (represented in all Commonwealth member states) and the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession, in consultation with the S A Council on Higher Education and reported by the SGB Quantity Surveying through NSB 12 structures for eventual recording by SAQA. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    As a PhD is the highest academic qualification attainable, articulation possibilities do not apply. However, while the possibility exists that learners who are admitted to programmes leading to the awarding of Master's qualifications (by virtue of the quality of the work executed) may be permitted to change their respective candidatures to those for a PhD award, retrospective registration is not normally permitted. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Doctoral theses are examined by at least two examiners external to the institution concerned.

    External examiners and supervisors of doctoral research should ideally themselves be in possession of a doctorate. External examiners / assessors and internal supervisory academic staff will be appointed in a manner consistent with the quality assurance system of the institution offering the programme.

    Accreditation options

    Accreditation options are not applicable to research doctoral programmes. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Examiners / assessors are appointed in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance system of an institution offering the programme. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    An original contribution to knowledge is a fundamental requirement of a doctoral programme and no work will be accepted which has been accepted by another academic institution for the purpose of obtaining a qualification will be acceptable. Primarily, an examination consists of assessment of the written thesis, but may be supplemented by a written or oral examination on the subject of the work presented.

    Supplementary information

    A thesis may not be submitted more than twice for examination.
  • Specified requirements
  • Regulations: Not applicable
  • Legal: Not applicable
  • Glossary of terms: Not applicable
  • Context specific material: Not applicable
  • User manuals supplied by manufacturers: Not applicable
  • Specifications, agreements and policies and procedures: Not applicable 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.