SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Bachelor of Health Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
49915	Bachelor of Health Sciences
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First 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 6	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 1141/23	2018-07-01	2024-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30		2030-06-30

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 is replaced by:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
119382	Bachelor of Health Sciences	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	360	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:

The Changing Needs of the Health Sector.

The qualification has been designed to help fill specific human resource gaps in the South African health sector. The career opportunities available to learners will include:

Medical scientists in academia and commercial research laboratories.

Health policy and economics (policy analysts, public officials, academics).

Health service and hospital administration.

Pharmaceutical industry research and development, marketing and management.

Insurance and Medical Aid Industry analysts and managers.

Forensic law and sciences.

Biotechnology industry.

Bioethics (academic, advising policy makers, advising clinical groups and clinical researchers.

Occupational Health research and practice.

Bio-engineering, Health related information technology.

Bioinformatics.

For all of these careers, there is currently no appropriate programme of study. All of them have a common need for an understanding of human biology, preferably to a second year level. They share a common need for knowledge of medical terminology and some insight into the philosophy of scientific research. They all need an understanding of the place of medicine and the health professions in society, and they each need their own specialised studies to a third year level. This degree will often be the springboard for an Honours or Masters Qualification that would develop people for careers such as laboratory scientists, public or private sector managers and health care professionals.
> Developments in the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences basic to Medicine.

The scientific basis of medicine has developed rapidly in the last few years, particularly in the field of molecular and cell biology. This qualification will offer courses in molecular medicine as part of an undergraduate bachelor's qualification.
Many areas in the social sciences and humanities have developed a specific focus on health and medicine. They are now affluent areas of research in their rights. Thus, in this qualification, some areas, such as Sociology, Applied Philosophy, Psychology, Economics, Policy Studies and History of Medicine, may wish to offer modules with a specific health focus developed for this qualification.

In other areas, learners will be able to choose from an extensive menu of courses currently offered by various faculties which are not specifically adapted for this qualification but offer a broader education and context. The qualification has the potential to open new avenues of postgraduate study at Wits. This should also assist the Institution in its mission to increase the proportion of graduate learners.

The Changing Medical Qualification.

Rationale:

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Learners who fall outside of the regular admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Institution that they have a qualification or experiential- or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Accredited and/or Prior Experiential Learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications before admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
Or

National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

Total credit value, minimum credits required at specific NQF levels and fundamental, core and elective contents.

Fundamental:

Level 5: 90 Credits.

Level 6: 10 Credits.

Total: 100

Core:

Level 5: 10 Credits.

Level 6: 140 Credits.

Total: 150

Elective:

Level 5: 20 Credits.

Level 6: 90 Credits.

Total: 110

Total Level 5: 120 Credits.

Total Level 6: 240 Credits.

Total Level 5 and Level 6: 360 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. At the end of the qualification the learner will be competent in problem solving (collecting, researching, documenting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information).
2. At the end of the qualification the learner will be competent to apply knowledge and skills acquired to problems related to medical science and/or the health care industry.
3. In the contexts of the whole individual and his or her place in the family, society, the population and the environment, at the end of the qualification the qualifying learner will have knowledge of health economics and management.
4. At the end of the qualification the qualifying learner will understand the value of working with others as a member of a team, organisation or community.
5. At the end of the qualification the qualifying learner should have acquired appropriate attitudes and values essential to the practice of medical research and /or operating in the field of health care delivery, and should demonstrate the attitudes necessary for the achievement of high standards of ethical behaviour, both in relation to conduct and commitment in the workplace as well as to his or her own personal development.
6. At the end of the qualification the qualifying learner will be competent to communicate effectively.
7. At the end of the qualification the qualifying learner will have acquired and will be aware of the need to develop self-direction and independence in his/her learning in order to become a lifelong learner, and will recognise personal educational needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate his/her own progress.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:

Demonstrate a sound understanding of scientific investigative procedures and their application to problem-solving.

Apply a problem-solving model to the assessment of a scientific or administrative problem, to develop and test hypotheses.

Analyse information from scientific investigative procedures or data gathering exercises.

Interpret and evaluate the results.

Demonstrate enterprise in solving problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
For the Biomedical Sciences track:
With the available information, the qualifying learner will solve problems by applying:

Fundamental knowledge of the natural sciences (e.g.chemistry, biology) and/or other areas.

(e.g. physics, sociology, psychology).

Core knowledge of the scientific basis of normal human structure and function (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry).

Core knowledge of molecular medicine and pharmacology.

For the Human Sciences track:
With the available information, the qualifying learner will solve problems by applying:

Fundamental knowledge of the natural sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry) and the humanities (e.g. sociology, psychology, philosophy, economics).

Core knowledge of the humanities and/or mathematical sciences (e.g actuarial science, economics, marketing, philosophy, psychology, sociology, statistics).

For both tracks:
With the available information, the qualifying learner will solve problems by applying:

Core knowledge of abnormal human structure and function, the health care system and the relationship between patients and the health care team.

Knowledge gained through the critical evaluation of the relevant literature and the effective use of a modern library in order to keep up-to-date with new developments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Collect and record health-relevant information in a systematic and reliable way; use this information to identify health problems, and apply it to the management of these problems.

Analyse the burden of disease within the community, and the environmental, socio-economic, political, ecological and behavioural determinants of disease.

Apply the principles of disease surveillance and the means by which disease may spread, and apply the principles of disease prevention and health promotion within the context of promoting a healthy environment.

Play a role in the organisation, management and provision of health care both in the community and in hospital, taking into consideration the economic and practical constraints within which it is delivered, and the audit process to monitor its delivery

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Recognise the nature and scope of the various medical science and health related disciplines, such that he or she will be able to make informed decisions with regard to his or her future career direction and development.

Work effectively with others in a project team and demonstrate an understanding of the essential roles which other participants play in health care, its education, research and delivery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Incorporate the ethical and legal issues in the application of medical research and health care delivery.

Show respect for colleagues and clients that encompasses, without prejudice, diversity of background and opportunity, language, culture and way of life.

Demonstrate an awareness, through actions or in writing, of the moral and ethical responsibilities involved in individual patient care and in the provision of care to communities, including the recognition of individual and community rights, particularly with regard to confidentiality and informed consent.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:
The qualifying learner will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively:

Orally and in writing, with colleagues and associates, particularly in the delivery of reports or research results in the form of scientific communications, using appropriate structure, language and style.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:
Acknowledge responsibility for vocational training in whatever field is chosen and for continuing professional education in order to keep up-to-date with new developments.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessment is achieved by a variety of strategies, most notably a research report in the third year. However, integrated assessment techniques also include written examinations, group and individual projects and assignments, field trips and practical examinations. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during their classes.

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:

Bachelor of Health Sciences in Bio-kinetics, Level 7.

Vertical articulation:

Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, Level 8.

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:

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 Witwatersrand