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 Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72897  Doctor of Science 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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 graduates who have a sound research training in various specialisations in terms of their contribution to the scientific endeavour of their discipline. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Completion of the exit level outcomes for a level 8 qualification in an appropriate field, or a PhD of several year's standing. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The achievement of this qualification means that the learner:
Has acquired a thorough understanding of the scientific method and its purpose;
Has a capacity for clear, independent and critical thought;
Is capable of understanding the significance of research findings and of critically evaluating them;
Is able to communicate research findings effectively in both oral and written forms;
Is able to work co-operatively in a team in a problem-solving context;
Has mastered the methods and techniques of research appropriate to the subject of investigation, and has the ability to apply them effectively;
Has a good knowledge and understanding of the subject of investigation;
Is capable of evaluating the relevant literature and of assessing his/her own research findings in relation to this literature;
Is able to develop independently a research investigation and carry this out at the cutting edge of the research endeavour. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Learners will demonstrate their ability and proficiency in each of the nine learning outcomes. These are tested by means of a comprehensive dissertation which may be supplemented by an oral presentation of the research findings, and reports by the supervisors.

All components are second-examined by external examiners in the dissertation area.

Candidates must have demonstrated a long history of sustained excellence in the field of study.

Integrated Assessment:

Adjudication takes place via a comprehensive peer review by a panel of experts in the field of work submitted by the candidate for assessment. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Only candidates who sustain high levels of achievement are permitted to enter into the Doctor of science. There are no horizontal articulation possibilities. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above suffice. External examiners are chosen from outside South Africa. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
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 to assess students on the modules that they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise, and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

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.