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: 

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72842  Bachelor of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Level 6  NQF Level 08  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   2034-06-30  

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 
1. To provide qualifiers with a wide range of specialised knowledge, skills and applied competence in occupational therapy. It will enable the qualifier to practise in governmental, non-governmental and private organisations/ centres of health, welfare, education, correctional services and industry in both institutional and community settings. The qualifier will be eligible for registration with the HPCSA

2. To train practitioners able to ensure that the functional/occupational performance needs of the ill, distressed and disabled of all age groups are effectively addressed at each level of health care provisions.

3. To adequately prepare practitioners for independent occupational therapy practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The learner entering the degree will have matriculation with exemption with a pass in mathematics, physical science or biology. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Occupational therapists should, on referral, be able to correctly select and effectively apply occupational therapy screening and assessments/analysis as these would apply to individuals, small groups, large number, communities, institutions, facilities and/or services at all levels of health care provisions.

2. Occupational therapists should be able to accurately record, interpret and plan/design (together with relevant stakeholders) appropriate and realistic OT programmes (including educative programmes) for individuals, groups, large numbers, communities and/or services at all levels of health care provision.

3. Occupational therapists should be able to critically evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of own and other interventions against expected outcomes (from point 2 above) in order to modify, grade, continue or terminate interventions. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated assessment

Assessment is both formative and developmental
Multiple assessment techniques to be used include the following:
  • Tests (written)
  • Oral/Practical tests (OSPE & OSCE)
  • Examinations (written papers, oral/practicals)
  • Assignments (individual and group)
  • Case studies (written, verbal and treatment demonstration)
  • Reports (written and verbal)
  • Clinical observation during fieldwork 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    A learner who completes certain modules may transfer to another occupational therapy training centre. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. The Professional Board for Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics & Prosthetics will act as moderating body through evaluations done on a regular basis

    2. Moderators and external examiners to be appointed from experts identified from within the profession

    The accreditation bodies are the Council for Higher Education & the HPCSA 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessment will be done by both internal and external assessors. Such persons will be approved and appointed by the Senate of the University. They should posses relevant clinical and teaching experience and professional expertise. 

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

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.