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: 

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
5557  Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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(Min 480)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The Degree is the professional qualification which will allow registration of the qualified learner with the Health Professions Council as medical practitioner. The qualified learner will have a sound knowledge and understanding of health care, its promotion and the prevention and management of disease. The qualified learner will have a basic understanding of normal structure, development and function of the human body, as well as the development of the person as individual and as member of a family and the community. The qualified learner will have a well-founded knowledge of diseases, physical effects and pathological processes as basis for the practice of clinical medicine. The qualified learner will have a fundamental understanding of scientific principles and will be capable of applying scientific principles to medical problem solving and decision-making. She or he will understand the principles of scientific research and how such findings may be applied to the practice of medicine. The qualified learner will be able to confidently apply clinical skills in data acquisition, interpretation and assessment, leading to diagnosis of physical and mental conditions. The qualified learner will understand the appropriate use of diagnostic aids as well as the place of referral for specialised diagnosis and care. The qualified learner will be able to work with professionals allied to medicine and as a member of a team rendering health services. Management skills to enable them to act as effective managers of health will be demonstrated. The qualified learner will display commitment to high quality health care with responsibility regarding physical mental and social well-being of the community, as well as recognition of the importance of primary health care and community-oriented approach to health care. She or he will be able to take independent medical decisions with full consideration of ethical aspects thereby treating disease and palliate suffering with empathy within ethical and legal norms. The qualified learner will understand that the world is a set of interrelating systems and that problem solving contexts very rarely exist in isolation. The qualified learner will be aware of the health needs of South Africa and be equipped to serve communities optimally, but their education and training will also satisfy international standards of excellence. The qualified learner will understand the need for life-long, continual development of his or her knowledge and skills base. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

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? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Learning Outcomes:
    1. Knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to promote health, prevent and treat illness and injury and provide appropriate care to individuals and communities.
    2. Disease will be treated and suffering palliated with empathy and within ethical norms. Effective management of health, ability to render service as member of a team, act as advocate for patients and communities.
    3. Good communication skills, critical, scientific thinking, a systems approach and an appreciation of the need for life-long learning.
    4. Demonstrating and understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    5. Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
  • Exploring education and career opportunities. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner formulates and presents a rational and appropriate plan of action, (diagnostic, therapeutic or educational) applicable to the medical problems he or she is confronted with.

    The learner functions as a junior member of the health team, obtains a history by talking to the patient and family, examines patients, makes diagnoses in consultation with senior members and performs treatment under supervision.
    He or she performs the stated activities with care and consideration of the patient's needs and rights as well as those of the community.

    The learner communicates with patients and health team members during practical training. She or he diagnoses conditions by the use of the scientific process of critically examining data, (including problem formulation and relationship-examination) hypothesis creation and -testing. The learner uses appropriate media to access latest data, critically evaluates the data and formulates a conclusion on the applicability of the considered data to the clinical problem under consideration.

    Integrated assessment:
  • Simulations.
  • Work-place assessments.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Other:
  • Practical evaluation.
  • Computer assisted testing.
  • Clinical examinations. (Demonstration of clinical skills and diagnostic capabilities on real patients). 
    		•

    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 Nuclear Medicine, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences in Complementary Medicine, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Family Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Medical Science in Transfusion Medicine, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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 Pretoria 


    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.