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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Physiotherapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73552  Postgraduate Diploma: Physiotherapy 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 8 and above  Level TBA:Pre-2009 was L8+  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:

The (main) purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy is to serve as a point of exit for students who enrol for the Master of Science in Physiotherapy degree in the Faculty of Health Sciences, but who do not fulfil the total credit and/or the research thesis requirement. Although the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy serves exclusively as an early exit point for the Master's programme in Physiotherapy and the student cannot register for this Qualification, it is designed in such a manner that it meets the criteria of a Qualification in its own right. No assumptions of learning, other than those that apply to the Master's Qualification are thus made.

The purposes of the Master of Science in Physiotherapy Qualification (of which the relevant course component can be credited towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy) are as follows:
  • The (first) purpose is to ensure mastery of the chosen specialisation area of the profession of Physiotherapy via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.
  • The (second) purpose is to enable students to do advanced and independent research in the field of Physiotherapy and to introduce them to the world of scholarly communication, inter alia by assisting them to start publishing on their own. This purpose does not apply to the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy.
  • The (third) purpose is to prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic work in the field of Physiotherapy for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics. This purpose does not apply to the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy.
  • The (fourth) purpose is to contribute to the pool of academics and professionals in the field of Physiotherapy with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure the future health and advancement of the profession of Physiotherapy and to make provision for the country's needs in a skilled health science workforce of the highest calibre. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Admission criteria:

    A learner cannot register for this Qualification. It only serves as an exit point for Master of Science Physiotherapy Qualification. No assumptions of learning, other than those that apply to the master's qualification are thus made.

    To be admitted into the structured Master of Science Physiotherapy a student has to have a four year Baccalaureus degree in Physiotherapy or an equivalent Qualification approved by Senate for the purpose, be registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa as a Physiotherapist and have a minimum of two years clinical experience after obtaining a Baccalaureus degree. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Duration and total credit value:
  • Minimum two years (part time); 120 credits.

    Minimum credits required at specific levels:
  • 120 credits at level 8.

    Credit Allocation:
  • Credits for Fundamental content; 50 credits.
  • Credits for Core content; 70 credits.
  • Credits for Elective content; 0 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Specific Outcomes:

    The Exit Level Outcomes of the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy is equal to the Exit Level of the course component for the Master Science in Physiotherapy degree.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy candidate will have:
  • Comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field.
  • Mastery of advanced theory and its application to the specialised field in physiotherapy.
  • Familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject.
  • An understanding of the constructed and provisional nature of knowledge.
  • Mastery of the theory of research methodology and skill in research proposal writing.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy candidate will be able to:
  • Perform independent analysis of new data and problems using a wide range of methods and techniques appropriately.
  • Critically evaluate relevant literature.
  • Extrapolate implications beyond given data.
  • Use higher order principles to relate data to new, broader issues.
  • Review evidence supporting conclusions critically.
  • Identify and define complex problems.
  • Apply appropriate knowledge and skills for their solution.

    Generic Outcomes:

    The Exit Level Outcomes of the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy equal the Exit Level Outcomes of the course component of the Master of Science Physiotherapy degree.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy candidate will:
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate in depth knowledge in the field of Physiotherapy.
  • Demonstrate, as an advanced physiotherapy practitioner, responsible participation in the promotion of the quality of life of the local community, the South African population and the global community.
  • Demonstrate deep understanding of cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and its influence on the health care consumer's perception of health and illness.
  • Identify and find solutions to health-related problems through basic research and the use of critical and creative thinking.
  • Demonstrate leadership within the health care team and groups in the community.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for responsible and effective organisation, management and delivey of physiotherapy services.
  • Communicate effectively with health service consumers and professional colleagues using visual, verbal, non-verbal and written skills. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Outcomes:

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy candidate will demonstrate:
  • Mastery of theoretical sophisticated subject matter within a comprehensive knowledge of a specialized field of Physiotherapy.
  • Mastery of advanced theory and its application to a specialized field.
  • Understanding and application of appropriate academic and professional values.
  • Self-reflexivity and adaptability.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment of the above is done by a range of formative and summative assessment methods such as clinical portfolios, workplace assessments, conducting of presentations, written and oral examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    N/A 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertically:

    As this Qualification serves as an exit point for the Master of Science Physiotheraphy, it allows for re-entry into Master of Science Physiotheraphy as well as into Master of Philosophy (Rehab) and Clinical Specialisation (through the College of Physiotherapy). 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    Envisaged student enrolment:
  • 5-10 students.

    Mode of instruction:

    Instruction is done by means of contact tuition. A range of methods are used such as seminars, tutorials, clinical portfolios, written assignments, preparation and conducting of presentations, presentation of clinical cases. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.