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:

Doctor of Science: Medical Sciences

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7543	Doctor of Science: Medical Sciences
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Preventive Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	240	Level 8 and above	NQF Level 10	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

The purpose of the qualification is:

To offer an opportunity for academic recognition to all South Africans with the required qualifications and potential, who have performed continuous outstanding creative research over a substantial part of his/her research career.

To recognize advanced, original research, based on laboratory and or clinical methodologies, on a series of related research projects dealing wit a broad central theme.

To acknowledge exceptional and substantial contributions to:

The universal pursuit of knowledge and advancement of knowledge in the Health Sciences

Training of scholars and higher quality education

The maintenance of the leadership position of South Africa in the Health Sciences on the continent of Africa

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Senior Certificate with Matriculation Exemption or equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree: BSc, MBChB

Honours degree: HonsBSc

Masters degree: MSc, MMed

Other qualifications

A PhD degree (Medical Sciences), M.D. or qualification approved by the Senate for this purpose.

Additional requirements

A candidate will be admitted to the DSc programme of university of Stellenbosch provided that he/she:

Performed advanced research and or creative work in the field of Health Sciences, according to the requirements of the university

Published original, high quality articles based on a broad central theme and, according to the Senate, made a substantial and outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the Health Sciences

Have been enrolled for at least one year at the university of Stellenbosch,

If he/she does not have a PhD degree (Medical Sciences) or MD or qualification approved by the Senate for this purpose, he/she has to be enrolled for at least 3 years at the university of Stellenbosch.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1). GENERAL OUTCOMES:

The DScMedSc graduate is

1. An established researcher who is able to compile, in a dissertation, a series of high quality original publications dealing with a central theme.

The DscMedSc graduate has:

2. Expert and advanced knowledge of a broad chosen central theme

3. 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

4. An expert understanding of the relevance and applicability of proposed solutions

The DScMedSc graduate was able to:

5. Do independent research on a series of related research projects dealing with a central broad theme

6. Produce a dissertation that places this central theme within the broader context of the field and which withstands international intellectual scrutiny

7. Contribute to original knowledge in the field, undertake research at an advanced level

8. Deal with complexity, lacunae and or contradictions in the knowledge base, select appropriate tools and research methods with confidence

9. Synthesise and evaluate information autonomously

10. Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria

11. Communicate fully and professionally with other colleagues working in the field

The DScMedSc graduate has demonstrated

12. Intellectual independence

13. Mature and sound judgement, accountable and reliable assessment of the views of others

14. Transcendence of personal prejudice and or parochial views

15. High level of self-reflexivity and adaptability

16. An enquiring mind and an innovative spirit

17. Adherence to professional or self-defined ethics, academic integrity

18. Dedication to the ideals of scholarship

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1).
1. The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

2. A dissertation and oral examinations are used.

3. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8b.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Candidates must submit a Doctoral dissertation containing a collection of his/her previously published outstanding original peer-reviewed articles based on a central broad theme. The dissertation has to meet all the standards and requirements of a Doctoral dissertation - which include proof of a successful integration of 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 a panel of internal examiners (which 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 (usually acting on the advice of an expert faculty committee specially constituted for each individual doctoral dissertation) and approved by Senate.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be employed in a manner which fits into the quality assurance system of the university.

In addition to two or more internal examiners (which 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