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 Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72893  Doctor of Medicine 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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 
To produce scholars who:
  • can define a research question and undertaken independent research;
  • can select and use appropriate methods of research;
  • have mastered the relevant literature in their field;
  • have made a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in their field, the substance of which is worthy of publication in a scholarly journal or book. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Completion of the exit level outcomes of a Masters qualification is an appropriate field of study, at a standard acceptable to the faculty.

    Recognised prior learning:

    In cases where relevant experiences or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate a depth of knowledge an high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area / across specialised areas;
  • Question existing knowledge boundaries and practices and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge;
  • Apply knowledge and theory to unfamiliar, unpredictable contexts;
  • Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base;
  • Show mastery of the literature in a field;
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence, apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems;
  • Autonomously synthesise and evaluate information;
  • Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria;
  • Operate successfully in unfamiliar situations and confidently select tools for the job;
  • Design and manage abstract systems models;
  • Demonstrate research leadership within a field or across disciplines;
  • Accurately assess, with justification, own and others' work;
  • Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability;
  • Practice within academic, professional and/or self-defined ethics. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The attainment of the qualification is demonstrated by means of the independent production of a thesis, or significant body of published work, that places research within the broader context of the field, withstands international expert intellectual scrutiny and contributes to original knowledge in the field. The candidates will also demonstrate full professional communication with others in the field and appropriate professional and ethical behavior.

    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

    Assessment takes place through the thesis, in which the learner is expected to show competency in all outcomes listed in Learning Outcomes, and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the exisiting literature across the entire area of the investigation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification permits candidates to proceed to senior and professional doctorates. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    At least one external examiner is chosen from outside South Africa 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessors are disciplinary experts in the field of study and hve at least a PhD degree. At least one internal, one national and one international examiner are appointed. Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent act as the internal examiners of the thesis. External examiners are chosen from research-oriented universities or form recognised research bodies in South Africa and overseas, who have the respect of their peers as experts in the particular field of study. 

    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.