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 Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72843  Bachelor of Optometry 
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 
To provide graduate with the minimum requirements for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Optometrist. A learner completing the qualification will be competent in applying up to tertiary level care, relevant promotive, diagnostic, treatment and management strategies appropriate to the cost-effectiveness or needs of the community. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
FET certificate at NQF level 4 equivalent level of learning with numeracy and science skills at NQF level 4 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. The students will be able to perform visual examinations
2. Assess the integrity of the ocular system
3. Communicate effectively with other health care workers as well as the lay community 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated assessment

Assess the ability to utilise the fundamental body of knowledge and skills appropriately for the provisions of quality eye care within various contexts of service delivery. Modes of assessment include oral and written examinations, clinical evolutions, written case presentations, seminar presentations, assignments and research projects 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
First 2 years articulate with the National Diploma: Optical Dispensing. Will articulate with the career ladder structure as proposed by the South African professional body

International articulation with the New England College of Optometry's OD programme with direct credits for theoretical modules in contact lenses, low visions, environmental optometry an binocular anomalies. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The criteria are to meet the standards outlined by the Professional board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Assessors must be registered optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmologist or general medical practitioners. 

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.