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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7379  Doctor of Theology 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
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 equip students with the necessary critical insight, maturity of judgement and experience to undertake independent advanced study and original research in a specialised filed of knowledge. The following six fields can be identified: Old Testament Studies, New Testament Studies, Systematic Theology, Ecclesiology, Practical Theology, Missiology
  • To broaden and deepen the knowledge base of the chosen field of specialisation by the generation of new knowledge or insight and the exploration if uncharted territory
  • To enable students, as members of the international community of scholars, to participate in and contribute to the universal pursuit of knowledge and by doing so, advance the frontiers of science
  • To produce leaders in their respective fields who will take responsibility for the training of the next generation of scholars and for ensuring quality higher education in future
  • To provide South Africa with a sufficient number of highly qualified people to maintain its leadership position on the continent and ensure that the country stays competitive in an era of global competition
  • To enhance scientific research within the field of theology in order to improve the quality of ministry within different contexts, to promote a theological hermeneutics and the self-understanding of the church (identity)
    . 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification

    Masters degree: An MTh or an appropriate Masters degree or qualification approved by Senate for this purpose. Depending on the chosen field of study, additional work and or proof of competence may be required 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The DTh graduate will have:

    a. Expert and advanced knowledge of the chosen field of study
    b. An in-depth understanding of the complexity of the problems involved, cognisance of the latest developments on the international research scene as far as the specific subject is concerned
    c. An expert understanding of the relevance and applicability of proposed solutions
    d. An experience of doing research within an interdisciplinary setting and an inclusive approach to theology


    The DTh graduate will be able to:

    e. Do independent research
    f. Produce a dissertation that places research within the broader context of the field and which withstands international intellectual scrunity
    g. Contribute to original knowledge in the field, undertake further research at an advanced level
    h. Deal with complexity, lacunae and or contradictions in the knowledge base, select appropriate tools and research methods with confidence
    i. Synthesise and evaluate information autonomously
    j. Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria
    k. Communicate fully and professionally with other colleagues working in the field

    The DTh graduate will demonstrate:

    l. Intellectual independence
    m. Mature and sound judgement, accountable and reliable assessment of the views of others
    n. Transcendence of personal prejudice and or parochial views
    o. High levels of self - reflexivity and adaptability
    p. An enquiring mind and an innovative spirit
    q. Adherence to professional or self - defined ethics, academic integrity
    r. Dedication to the ideals of scholarship 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved
  • A dissertation and oral examinations are used
  • The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8

    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

    Candidates must submit a doctoral dissertation containing the report of their research. The dissertation has to meet all the standards and requirements of a doctoral dissertation - which include proof of a successful integration if all the elements required to substantiate the central thesis and contribution(s) of the study 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    None 

    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
  • In addition to two or more internal examiners (who will usually be staff members of the university of Stellenbosch) standard university regulations require that one or more external examiners of international scholarly repute have to assess doctoral dissertations. The reports on the doctoral dissertation submitted by the internal and external examiners are considered by the Faculty Board and approved by the Senate 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner in accordance with the quality assurance system of the university.
    In addition to two or more internal examiners (who will usually be staff members of the university of Stellenbosch) standard university regulations require that one or more external examiners of international scholarly repute have to assess doctoral dissertation in terms of a list of standard criteria and submit written reports 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.