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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: |
| Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 80726 | Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| University of Witwatersrand | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Honours Degree | Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services | Curative Health | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 120 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 08 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0733/25 | 2024-06-30 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2031-06-30 | |||
| 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 Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours will produce learners who are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the demanding and rapidly advancing field of choice in the Health Sciences.
The qualification will produce graduates with the following skills: Rationale: The qualification is a niche area in the current developing world of health and disease and the need for relevant research in these areas. The demand for this qualification from learners is evident from the many enquiries received locally and nationally. Whilst many such learners currently move into cognate disciplines within the BScHons, the qualification will broaden the scope and capacity of what the institution offers in order to meet the needs and deficits in the field and also strengthen the intellectual and operational capacities of students in this field of expertise. The qualification is designed to deepen the subject matter competence developed by the student in her or his undergraduate choice of major (or similar) subject or disciplinary area, and to develop the student's research competence and capacity to work independently as a researcher. learners with such competence are in short supply nationally. Qualifying learners are given a platform to progress towards further study such as Masters and PhD qualifications. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.
RPL for access: RPL for exemption of modules RPL for credit: Entry requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification comprises compulsory modules, as specified for each field of study, at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling a minimum of 140 Credits.
Field of Anatomical Pathology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Bioethics and Health Law Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Biokinetics Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Chemical Pathology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Exercise Science Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits: Field of Experimental Physiology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Forensic Sciences Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 144 Credits: Field of Health Systems Sciences Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 credits: Elective Modules, Level 8, 20 credits Field of Human Biology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Human Genetics Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Immunology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Medical Cell Biology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biochemistry Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Neuroscience Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Pharmacology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: Field of Public Health Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 100 credits: Elective Modules, Level 8, 40 credits Field of Virology Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 140 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Apply scientific investigative procedures in solving problems range of procedures include, but are not limited to, collecting, researching, documenting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
2. Apply advanced knowledge and skills to solve problems related to medical science and/or the health care industry. 3. Assess the implications of health, wellness and disease on health economics, health promotion, prevention and management. 4. Interpret the essential roles played by all participants in a multidisciplinary healthcare delivery system. 5. Demonstrate the attitudes necessary for the achievement of high standards of ethical behaviour, both in relation to conduct and commitment in the workplace and in own personal development. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT: Integrated assessment will be achieved from a variety of strategies including written examinations, group and individual projects and assignments, field trips, practical examinations and a research report. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during their classes. Formative integrated assessment will take place during seminar presentations, discussions and tutorials during which students are expected to participate in self-assessment, peer assessment and assessment by members of the relevant academic staff. Summative assessment will comprise the delivery of a research report which will integrate practical, theoretical and reflective competence. All aspects of the research report will be included in the assessment. There will also be a written examination; an objective structured practical examination and possibly an oral examination may be required. In order to promote, monitor and measure student learning throughout a course, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| A number of international universities offering a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) degree - or degree with similar designation - have been identified. The universities listed are all English-speaking and historically of British Commonwealth origin, in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and as such are likely to have an academic style and tradition which is comparable with that of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Several of these, e.g., Auckland, Monash, Ottawa, Queensland and Nottingham, are universities which are well known to us and we have confidence in comparing our qualification with theirs.
Given the wide scope of the field of Health Sciences, it is inevitable that the programmes listed will cover variable content areas. Some are very specific, e.g., Sports Science, Medical Radiation Therapy, while others have a more general curriculum, particularly those which consist of a research project only. The Wits degree falls somewhere between these extremes, since it includes coursework modules specific to a particular discipline area of choice, as well as a research project. With regard to the percentage of research (including a research methods module) it is also comparable with the degrees which combine course work and research. Wits has 58% research, the others (where such specific information is available) are around 50% in a one year programme, or in the final year of a 3 or 4 year programme. Like Wits, most of the programmes offered at the relevant institutions, offer on-site, face-to- face delivery. Entry criteria for the various universities are difficult to judge unless one has an accurate understanding of scoring methods and standards, but they all appear to require achievement at least in the upper quartile, which is comparable with the Wits requirement of a 65% aggregate. Here follows a summary of the names, duration, admission criteria, content and delivery methods of the various universities used for comparison: Admission rules: B grade or higher in bachelor's in health science degree or equivalent. Content: Total credit points = 120; Course work modules=60 points; Research dissertation = 60 points. Admission Rules: Entry from school with A-levels in sciences. Content: Years 1 and 2 Health Science modules such as Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology. Year 3: Optional modules with business orientation plus semester-long research project. Admission Rules: Appropriate prerequisite Maths and Physics courses. Content: Optional research-based major in Bio-informatics, Biomedical Science or Health and Society, each with appropriate second level prerequisite science courses. Admission Rules: Distinction average in third year of BHSc or equivalent. Content: Total credits = 48 points; Studies in health research = 12 points; Research project 1 = 12 points; Research project 2= 24 points. Admission Rules: Diploma or equivalent in a health care subject. Content: Choice of six health related modules plus a research project. Admission Rules: A-levels with appropriate Sciences. Content: Years 1 to 3: Natural and life sciences as applied to sport, exercise and health; Year 4: Major research project and group projects. Admission Rules: Degree relevant to research area with GPA of 5.0. Content: Literature review, oral proposal presentation, coursework on thesis preparation, research thesis. From the above, it is clear that this qualification is on par with what is being offered around the world. It is foreseen that the rest of the African countries will benefit from this qualification as Wits is well known for its intake of students from beyond the borders of South Africa. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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 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. | University of Witwatersrand |
| 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. |