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
7171	Doctor of Philosophy
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University
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 07 - Human and Social Studies		General Social Science
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

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Philosophy. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The (first) purpose of the qualification is to equip students with the necessary critical insight, maturity of judgement and experience to undertake independent advanced study and original research in a specialised field of knowledge.

The (second) purpose is to broaden and deepen the knowledge base of the chosen field of specialisation by the generation of new knowledge or insight and the exploration of uncharted territory.

The (third ) purpose is to enable students, as members of the international community of scholars, to participate in and contribute to the universal pursuit of knowledge and by doing so, advance the frontiers of science.

The (fourth) purpose is to produce leaders in their respective fields who will take responsibility for the training of the next generation of scholars and for ensuring quality higher education in future.

The (fifth) purpose is to provide South Africa with a sufficient number of highly qualified people to maintain its leadership position on the continent and ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of growing global competition.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Master's degree.

An appropriate Master' degree or qualification approved by Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and/or proof of competency may be required.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

The PhD graduate will have

a) expert and advanced knowledge of the chosen field of study;

b) an in-depth understanding of the complexity of the problems involved; cognisance of the latest developments on the international research scene as far as the specific subject is concerned;

c) an expert understanding of the relevance and applicability of proposed solutions.

The PhD graduate will be able to

d) do independent research,
e) produce a dissertation that places research within the broader context of the field and which withstands international intellectual scrutiny;
f) contribute to original knowledge in the field; undertake further research at an advanced level;
g) deal with complexity, lacunae and/or contradictions in the knowledge base; select appropriate tools and research methods with confidence;
h) synthesise and evaluate information autonomously;
i) make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria;
j) Communicate fully and professionally with other colleagues working in the field.

The PhD graduate will demonstrate
k) intellectual independence;
l) mature and sound judgement; accountable and reliable assessment of the views of others;
m) transcendence of personal prejudice and/or parochial views;
n) high levels of self-reflexivity and adaptability;
o) an enquiring mind and an innovative spirit;
p) adherence to professional or self-defined ethics; academic integrity;
q) dedication to the ideals of scholarship.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

i) The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
ii) A dissertation and oral examinations are used.
iii) The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8b.

Integrated Assessment:

Candidates must submit a doctoral dissertation containing the report of their research. The dissertation has to meet all the standards and requirements of a doctoral dissertation - which include proof of a successful integration of all the elements required to substantiate the central thesis and contribution(s) of the study.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

None.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments.

One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

In addition to two or more internal examiners (who will usually be staff members of the University of Stellenbosch) standard University regulations require that one or more external examiners of international scholarly repute have to assess doctoral dissertations. The reports on the doctoral dissertation submitted by the internal and external examiners are considered by the Faculty Board (usually acting on the advice of an expert faculty committee specially constituted for each individual doctoral dissertation) and approved by the Senate.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

1. The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner in accordance with the quality assurance system of the University.

In addition to two or more internal examiners (who will usually be staff members of the University of Stellenbosch) standard University regulations require that one or more external examiners of international scholarly repute have to assess doctoral dissertations in terms of a list of standard criteria and submit written reports.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

NOTES

This qualification includes the following specialisations:

Doctor of Food Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture

Doctor of Philosophy in Consumer Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy in Military Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Science

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

LP ID	Learning Programme Title	Originator	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Learning Prog End Date	Quality Assurance Functionary	NQF Sub-Framework
116339	Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Psychology	Stellenbosch University	Not Applicable	NQF Level 10	360			HEQSF
116325	Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Science	Stellenbosch University	Not Applicable	NQF Level 10	360			HEQSF