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 Physiotherapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72845  Bachelor of Physiotherapy 
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  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
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 
The qualification will allow the graduate to be a registered independent physiotherapist who:

1) Applies evidence-based physical and holistic approach as to patient care, which will include core modalities such as Therapeutic Exercise, Manual therapy and Electrotherapy

2) Applies these skills in a curative, rehabilitative, preventative and promotive manner

3) Is able to contribute to planning and implementation of managerial tasks in patient care and in the utilization of department resources. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Current matriculation exemption (Maths/Science), standard 10, recognition of relevant prior learning (mature student/Physiotherapy assistant 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1) Demonstrate the ability to manage a range of patients with physical problems in particular that associated with neuromuscular, musculo-skeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, ensuring optimal function

2) Demonstrate a holistic, problem-solving approach in selectively applying diagnostic and treatment techniques and modalities with an understanding of its physiological, anatomical and psychosocial basis to individuals and groups of patients in a caring manner

3) Identify and address the changing needs of diverse communities based on the structure of health systems

4) Conduct research relevant to the health needs of the country

5) Plan and implement appropriate preventative, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative programmes to empower individuals and communities

6) As an autonomous practitioner create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships with individuals and relevant structures to achieve common goals

7) Practice self and peer review constructively

8) Conduct oneself in a professional and caring manner

9) Continuously inform practice, based on evidence

10) Negotiate improvement of training and service with authorities

11) Independently manage practice in public or private sector at primary and other levels

12) Provide life-assisting support in a non-routine context 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated assessment

For courses comprising the qualification

1) A continuous evaluation of professional conduct, cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills in acute and chronic clinical areas and community setting by self, peers and supervisors

2) Written and /practical and /oral and /clinical examinations.

For the qualification as a whole:

1) A continuous evaluation in each subfield of physiotherapy of professional conduct, cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills in acute and chronic clinical areas and community settings by self, peers and supervisors.

2) The evaluation of the management of patients in subfield of physiotherapy, including assessments, analysis, diagnoses and treatment.

3) The evaluation of the application of selected diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

4) Evaluation the ability to undertake and complete a research project

5) Written and/oral and/practical examinations in physiotherapy

6) Final examination consists of:

2 x 3 hour theory paper
1 x1.5 hour evaluation of an unseen patient
1 x1 hour treatment of evaluated patient
1 x1 hour treatment of unseen patient. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
To proceed to masters and the doctorate, locally and internationally and across related disciplines 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
Internal and external examiners as appointed by Senate. The HPCSA through the professional Board of Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics and the accrediting institution of higher education will be involved in determining the curriculum they will also be involved in moderation. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Internal and external assessors with clinical expertise or relevant experience or credible academic profile in the field of physiotherapy. Such persons will be appointed by the Senate of the University. Assessor to be registered with HPCSA where necessary. 

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.