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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Medical Science in Transfusion Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84586  Master of Medical Science in Transfusion Medicine 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  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 
Purpose:

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine is a comprehensive research qualification which aims at encouraging life-long learning skills that will enable graduates to provide quality health care, particularly related to the application, administration and management of blood and blood products. The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine encourages graduates to act ethically and professionally, think analytically, evaluate and apply relevant information within the health care system. Such graduates should thus support the provision of quality health care to South African society.

On completion of the qualification the student will have acquired the necessary research skills and the ability to apply knowledge and solve problems in the field of Transfusion Medicine.

Rationale:

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine addresses the need for capacity building and the development of scarce skills in the application of transfusion medicine. Although various stakeholders in the health services sector apply transfusion medicine on a daily basis, minimal opportunities for training is this specialist area exist. Consistent with the vision of the National Department of Health, the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine intends to develop scarce skills that may improve the quality of health care for all, adding to building a society in which all South Africans have access to an efficient health care delivery system.

The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine allows a candidate to obtain a nationally recognised qualification that permits access to horizontally and vertically articulated qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework, enhancing the status and employability of people working within the field of transfusion medicine. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Candidates admitted to the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine programme are proficient in knowledge and skills equivalent to NQF Level 8, implying that the student has acquired general theoretical and practical knowledge associated with the application of blood and blood products. Apart from the aforementioned generic skills and competencies, applicants entering the programme have obtained an MBChB Degree and therefore have relevant clinical experience in the application of transfusion medicine.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied on an individual basis and will be conducted in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy of the institution, in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Access to the Qualification:

Admission to the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine programme is determined in accordance with the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees and the regulations of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Students will be admitted to the programme if they are in possession of a MBChB Degree, or equivalent qualification, and a Postgraduate Diploma: Transfusion Medicine or equivalent.

In addition, applicants must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or equivalent health authorities for the country of origin. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine is a comprehensive research qualification and does not require the completion of different modules.

The qualification equals 180 credits and the minimum duration of study is one year.

Candidates are required to complete a mandatory research project, accompanied by a dissertation providing evidence that the student has obtained knowledge and competencies at NQF Level 9. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Incorporate, through research, a systematic understanding of in-depth knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and new insights, informed by and at the forefront of Transfusion Medicine research and its related area of professional practice.

2. Integrate originality in the application and command of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret new knowledge in the discipline.

3. Develop a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the field of Transfusion Medicine, to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

4. Demonstrate an advanced scholarship in the field of Transfusion Medicine.

5. Develop an ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the area of Transfusion Medicine.

6. Utilise the resources of academic and professional discourses to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
The following Associated Assessment Criteria are generic to all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of in-depth knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and new trends informed by research within the ambit of professional practice in the field of Transfusion Medicine.
  • Apply original knowledge and competencies obtained via research in order to demonstrate how latest research trends impact on the practice of Transfusion Medicine.
  • Critically evaluate current research in the field of Transfusion Medicine, as well as critique current methodologies in the field in order to propose new hypotheses if appropriate.
  • Apply a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the area of Transfusion Medicine.
  • Make autonomous ethical decisions that affect professional issues.
  • Develop own learning strategies to sustain independent learning and academic or professional development and interact effectively within the professional group as a means of enhancing learning.
  • Work independently and take full responsibility for own practice, which includes accountability for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices.
  • Submit a research dissertation that meets the required standards for report writing with regard to coherence, analysis, interpretation and ethical considerations.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The UFS endorses excellence and academic integrity of Postgraduate research and assessments are accordingly arranged by means of clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria. Students' dissertations are subjected to summative assessment by both internal and external examiners. Guidelines and criteria on the standard of the research achievement are provided to examiners. Clear procedures and responsibilities for the consideration of examiners' reports are communicated by the department. After consideration of examiners' reports, supervisors communicate applicable corrections and further work to students. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine was developed by experts in the field and approved by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The programme compares with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT), and the British Committee for Standardization in Haematology (BCSH).

    It should be emphasised that the development of this qualification directly relates to the vision of the National Department of Health to address the scarce skills deficiency in the field. Although this programme compares internationally, it is aimed at improving the application of blood and blood and blood related products in the South African context. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Successful completion of the Master of Medical Science: Transfusion Medicine enables both Horizontal and Vertical Articulation with cognate qualifications. Graduates may progress vertically to Doctoral qualifications in cognate study areas.

    In addition, successful students master several field-specific and generic competences which serve as an important interface for integration with diverse programmes and disciplines within the health care environment. This providing for meaningful Horizontal Articulation to cognate Masters' Degrees in the health care environment where blood transfusion forms a major part of day to day clinical practice, for example, anaesthesia, paediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, oncology, haematology. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    External moderation of research projects plays a key role in quality assurance, as well as assuring that knowledge created via research in transfusion medicine is applicable to a wider community, taking into account regional differences and latest trends. External examiner reports and departmental peer reviews ensure that the programme and accompanying research practices adhere to institutional and national criteria, as well as meeting the expectations of the HPCSA. Moderator and external examiner reports will be used to adapt and improve the course on an ongoing basis. 

    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 the Free State 


    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.