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: 

Master of Pharmacy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8127  Master of Pharmacy 
ORIGINATOR
Rhodes 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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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
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 
Pharmaceutical science is a major field of study dealing with the discovery, formulation, design and testing of drug products to improve the health status of society. The aim of the programme is to train highly skilled researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Candidates will be competent to apply research methodology and techniques at this level in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Motivation for programme:
Candidates who have completed this programme have the education and training to contribute to national and international endeavours to improve the health status of society, to raise the status of Rhodes University and South Africa as centres of excellence in applied research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates should be in possession of a B Pharm, or a B Sc Honours in an appropriate discipline in order to qualify for admission to the research programme. Preference is given to those candidates with outstanding academic records during their undergraduate programme.

Recognition for prior learning:

Some recognition of prior learning and work experience is given in the selection procedure but the formal programme does not make provision for outcomes gained in fields other than those related to research in the pharmaceutical sciences and cognate disciplines. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The candidate will be capable of
1. Generating and interpreting data of high integrity in the specialised field in the pharmaceutical sciences
2. Reporting and disseminating the findings of the research programme orally and in writing to appropriate audiences

On completion of the research programme the candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Accurately assess and critically evaluate literature and original contributions related to the field of study
2. Provide independent analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information in the field of study
3. Identify, define and provide solutions to research problems
4. Apply highly specialised knowledge of the field of study to the development of the pharmaceutical sciences
5. Confidently deploy well-developed research skills and methods, implementing the newest technology in the field of study
6. Train scientists in research methodology in the specialized field of the pharmaceutical sciences. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1. Mastery of the appropriate methods and techniques of research
2. Familiarity with current, relevant literature
3. A clear understanding of the nature of the problem or topic
4. An appreciation of the significance of the findings
5. An ability to present the results using an appropriate literary style and presentation free from errors.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

The candidate should provide evidence of a specialised and high level of competence, knowledge and integrity. Formative assessment is provided on written and oral research reports. Summative assessment is provided on the basis of a thesis. The thesis will be presented for examination at least 18 months after registration and preparation, in consultation with the supervisor.

The following quality assurance procedures form part of the overall evaluation and accreditation system:

1. At least one internal supervisor/examiner
2. At least two external examiners
3. Requirements and guidelines of the higher education quality assurance bodies (SAQA requirements)
4. Requirements and guidelines of Rhodes University as contained in the Higher Degrees Guide. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Candidates who obtain a Master of Pharmacy degree in the pharmaceutical sciences have access to the PhD programme at Rhodes University, as well as other Universities that offer the PhD programme in this field of study. In addition, candidates have access to post masters studies at various tertiary training institutions in cognate disciplines. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
The thesis will be examined by at least two external examiners. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
At least a relevant Master's degree and professional experience. 

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. Rhodes 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.