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: 

Master of Science in Dental Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7685  Master of Science in Dental Science 
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
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 qualification aims:
1. To promote the acquisition of specified scientific knowledge in the chosen field of study through advanced and independent research and to be introduced to the world of scholarly communication, inter alia by being assisted to start publishing on their own.
2. At the mastery of the chosen subject via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexities and to find workable scientific solutions to problems and challenges.
3. To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and intellectual abilities to ensure the future health and advancement of the chosen field in dental science and to contribute to the country's needs in skilled dental scientists of the highest calibre.
4. To prepare and encourage candidates for advancement to the highest level of academic work for doctoral study and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.
5. To qualify the candidate for registration of an additional qualification by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Dentistry, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Dental Sciences, NQF Level. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The Master of Science in Dental Science qualified learner will have:
    1. Familiarity with the literature and state of international research on the subject.
    2. Well-developed research skills.
    3. Comprehensive knowledge of the chosen field of study.

    The Master of Science in Dental Science qualified leaner will be able to:
    1. Critically evaluate relevant literature.
    2. Perform independent analysis of new data using as wide a range of experimental and other methods and techniques as is necessary for a credible conclusion.
    3. Review evidence supporting conclusions critically.
    4. Use well-developed research skills confidently.
    5. Interact with dental scientists involved in similar research internationally.

    The Master of Science in Dental Science qualified learner will demonstrate:
    1. The capacity for independent research.
    2. The ability to weigh evidence based on the literature and experimental data in order to suggest coherent conclusions.
    3. The capacity for independent study via the completion of a thesis which should meet the criteria for publication. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
  • The assessment used for the Master of Science (Dental Science) qualification ensures that the generic/critical cross field outcomes are satisfied and meet the standard and level of achievement for NQF Level 8a.
  • The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the general outcomes are met.
  • The assessment used for this qualification ensures that the specific outcomes are satisfied.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners must submit a Master's thesis containing the report of their research. The thesis must meet all the standards and requirements of a Master's thesis and must demonstrate that the learner possesses capacity for independent critical judgement, can discuss existing as well as newly acquired knowledge logically and as objectively as possible and that the research has made a significant contribution to existing knowledge. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Dental Science in Oral Surgery, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Dentistry, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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 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.