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 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
5471  Doctor of Philosophy 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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 primary purpose of the qualification is to facilitate Doctor of Philosophy (D Phil) graduates in using their highly specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies in the development of the specific discipline for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with specialists in the discipline in order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with intellectual leaders. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates who register for this qualification can:
  • Responsibly pursue independent research.

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

    This qualification recognises:
  • Formal prior learning.
    Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units is recognised. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    A Doctoral Degree which comprises a thesis only cannot be awarded in part through RPL. Faculties and Senate will debate and decide on the issuing of a doctorate through RPL. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Critical Cross-field Outcomes:
    1. The Doctor of Philosophy (D Phil) graduate can identify, analyse, formulate, and solve highly complex problems of living, of individual and societal kinds, creatively, autonomously and responsibly with a level of expertise beyond that of the Master's of Arts (MA).
    2. The D Phil graduate can effectively lead a team, group, organization, community, and provide leadership to the group output in tasks growing out of the fields traditionally considered as the Humanities.
    3. The D Phil graduate can manage and organize the activities of others responsibly and effectively.
    4. The D Phil graduate can collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information at a highly advanced and highly specialised level.
    5. The D Phil graduate can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation, in sustained discourse.
    6. The D Phil graduate can use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global contexts.
    7. The D Phil graduate can demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.

    Developmental Outcomes:
    1. The D Phil graduate can produce a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
    2. The D Phil graduate can play a leading role as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities.
    3. The D Phil graduate can promote cultural and aesthetic sensitivity across a range of social contexts.
    4. The D Phil graduate can use the educational and career opportunities acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.
    5. The D Phil graduate can develop entrepreneurial opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.

    Specific Outcome:
    1. Make an original and significant contribution to knowledge in their area of research.
    2. Engage in highly advanced critical thinking and creative problem solving within a focussed research context.
    3. Apply principles of sound research practice in collecting, organising and critically evaluating information.
    4. Communicate effectively the contents of the discipline and the results of the research.
    5. Display technical accuracy in an area of research or within an interdisciplinary context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment Criteria associated with Critical Cross-field Outcomes:
    1. Identify, analyse and solve complex and highly advanced abstract problems by drawing on their own experience as well as theoretical knowledge within a major discipline or field of study.
  • Use their knowledge and expertise to resolve contextual abstract problems that expand or reconfigure existing knowledge.

    2. Show evidence of 'people skills' (tolerance, empathy, listening skills, etc.) in group situations.
  • Direct projects and successfully interact with others.
  • Organise and effectively lead groups in professional/research/management contexts.
  • Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written and /or oral) reporting.

    3. Demonstrate the requisite theoretical skills and learning strategies at an advanced level.
  • Organise their study plans and engage in effective time management.
  • Evolve strategies best suited to their own and others' situations and contexts.
  • Think independently and offer sustained theoretical evidence to support their decisions.
  • Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and develop organizational strategies.

    4. Use the full range of library and other resources at an advanced level.
  • Integrate complex and specialised information from a variety of sources.
  • Act responsibly as a researcher and scholar (e.g., appropriate and accurate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
  • Follow the conventions of scholarship in the discipline under study.
  • Follow relevant conventions and guidelines to their academic and personal purposes.
  • Critically analyse and generate evaluation and synthesis of information and concepts at an abstract level.
  • Suggest complex and advanced arguments within a major research area.

    5. Communicate their ideas lucidly and coherently and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
  • Generate ideas at a complex level as well as use the ideas of others in support of their own.
  • Generate and evaluate conclusions and premises in their own research.
  • Use language competently in written (and/or oral) conventions relevant to the discipline.

    6. Use scientific methods of investigation, testing and evaluation.
  • Select technology to suit the needs of research.
  • Use and promote the use of natural resources in a sustainable way.
  • Show respect for and a responsible attitude towards science and technology.
  • Demonstrate a consideration of the ethics involved in science and technology issues.
  • Show respect and openness towards the psychological, health and physical environment of others.

    7. Draw upon their prior knowledge (personal and abstract) and personal experience as appropriate when investigating and analysing the world around them.
  • Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the discipline/field of study and relate it to their own research.

    Assessment Criteria associated with Developmental Outcomes:
    1. Show evidence of highly advanced study and research skills, selection, analysis and evaluation.

    2. Deal constructively with diversity and display appropriate conflict-resolution skills.
  • Use the knowledge, skills and attributes required in studying towards the doctorate in the service of the community at large (local and global).
  • Apply what they know and study in culturally diverse contexts.
  • Apply what they know and study at different levels, from personal to academic contexts.
  • Contribute significantly to the community, country in which they live.
  • Interact with their peers locally, nationally and internationally.

    3. Value cultural diversity.
  • Manage diversity and the opinions of others.
  • Use various skills to draw out the cultural accomplishments and contents of others (e.g., listening skills, empathy, sympathy open-mindedness, etc.).

    4. Identify the doctorate skills which are highly valued in the workplace within the relevant discipline.
  • Use the skills required for efficiency in most jobs: imaginative intelligence, emotional maturity, effective communication skills, thoughtful accuracy and interpersonal sensitivity.
  • Deal effectively with unknown problems and tasks set them on the job, in the real world, by drawing upon the skills from the D Phil(critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, etc.).
  • Demonstrate a work ethic that shows responsibility and accountability towards the employer and the client or community.

    5. Create job opportunities in whatever situation they find themselves.
  • Have a realistic view of their own worth and value to contribute to their local community and global society.
  • Communicate that value to others in the real world.
  • Demonstrate a healthy self-esteem and confidence in their knowledge, skills and attitudes as required to complete the D Phil qualification.
  • Deal with various complex situations with flexibility and adaptability.

    Assessment Criteria associated with Specific outcomes:
    1. Expand, redefine and reconfigure existing knowledge within the broader context of the field or inter/multi-disciplinary fields.
  • Show that his/her thesis/research project can be recognised by experts in the field.
  • Produce a thesis which is publishable entirely or in part.

    2. Achieve a high Degree of abstraction when analysing and synthesising information within an area of research.
  • Attain a high level of epistemological sophistication when reflecting on information within an area of research.
  • Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria.
  • Autonomously analyse, synthesize and evaluate information.
  • Design new creative systems based on sound principles.

    3. Document the problem statement and aims and objectives, the research design or plan, modus operandi, results and conclusions in an academically respectable and acceptable manner.
  • Analyse data.
  • Apply theory to practice.
  • Show critical acumen in evaluating sources, specifically primary material.
  • Develop a logical argument.
  • Display expert, innovative and highly specialised knowledge in the area of research or within an interdisciplinary context.

    4. Present material clearly and systematically:
  • Argue logically in order to support his/her findings.
  • Use acceptable style and presentation.
  • Provide an advanced critical overview of the material.

    5. Document research with complete accuracy:
  • Use a systematic and consistent approach to technical issues such as the layout of the dissertation or other required project.

    Integrated Assessment for the purpose of the qualification:
    1. Formative Assessment: Formative assessment consists of constant and personal interaction between promoter and student when the means of assessment is the thesis only. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work and limited numbers of outcomes.
    2. Summative Assessment: the doctoral thesis is the product to be evaluated.
    3. Integrated Assessment: All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International comparators:
    Unisa forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly; for example, Unisa's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Doctor of Philosophy (D Phil) is the final step on the academic ladder. No further upward articulation is possible although students may choose to pursue their studies at any level of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to suit their personal and professional needs. 

    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 South Africa 


    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.