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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91787  Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
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  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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 purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy: Health Sciences is to promote the career advancement of students in the area of Health Sciences by enabling students to conduct independent, novel research within a specific discipline or in a multidisciplinary manner in Health Sciences.

It is intended that the student will undertake original research that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the area of Health Sciences and will submit a thesis reporting the results of the research.

Rationale:
This Doctoral qualification in Health Sciences will provide students with an opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation, thereby contributing to the development of the field Health Sciences. The outcome of this multidisciplinary Doctoral qualification is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the area of Health Sciences with the development of specialist expert knowledge in this area, thereby supporting evidence based professional practice at the forefront of this area. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that the student:
  • Has advanced expertise in research methodology.
  • Is knowledgeable of ethical considerations in Health Sciences research.
  • Is competent in research proposal writing.
  • Is competent to undertake research.
  • Is competent in report writing and dissemination.
  • Has expertise in the area to be investigated.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Recognition of Prior Learning may be used for access to this Doctoral Degree for an applicant not in possession of a Master's Degree at the discretion of the Institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council policy and procedures.

    Access to Qualification:
    The student must be in possession of an appropriate Master's Degree in the area of Health Sciences or a related area, or conferment of status granted through an internal evaluation process in alignment with institutional policies, or recognition of prior learning granted through an internal process. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This is a research-based qualification which culminates in the submission of a thesis. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the domain of Health Sciences and a mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with the domain of Health Sciences.
    2. Conceive, design, implement and disseminate a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.
    3. Make a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work in an area of Health Sciences, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Knowledge and experience is used to analyse the national and local community in terms of needs and to offer suggestions for solving problems; problems are solved by exploring and critically assessing direct and indirect factors relevant to practice within a given context and alternative strategies to deal with those problems are generated.
  • Evidence is shown of interpersonal skills (tolerance, empathy, listening skills and respect for the opinion of others) in group situations; active participation in the group is shown and self and others are organised into effective working groups.
  • Creative and various learning strategies which suit personal and professional situations and contexts are used; assesses own strengths and weaknesses and develops coping strategies especially in emergency and traumatic situations.
  • Information is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated and synthesised and the library and other resources are used effectively to suit own academic and professional needs.
  • The language conventions, written and/or spoken are used in health related disciplines, issues, policies and reports and research findings in oral or written formats are described and critically interpreted.
  • The scientific method of investigation, testing and evaluation is used and appropriate health related technology to suit own needs or those of the group are selected.
  • Consideration for the ethics involved in health science and technology issues is demonstrated; prior knowledge and experience (personal and professional) as appropriate in the relevant field/discipline is drawn upon knowledge of the interconnectedness of factors influencing the achievement of the objectives is demonstrated. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Expertise and critical knowledge in the domain of health sciences is demonstrated.
  • The ability to conceptualise new research initiatives, and create new knowledge or practice in health sciences is demonstrated.
  • Intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in an ethical and accountable manner in Health Sciences is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • An ability to develop new methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts within health sciences is clearly demonstrated.
  • Specialist knowledge and theory is applied in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems in health sciences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work that meets international standards, is considered to be new or innovative by peers and makes a significant contribution to health sciences is produced.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Students may choose one of two options for assessment:
  • Through a thesis, in which the student is expected to present integrated research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation.
    Or
  • Students may submit a thesis containing five or more previously published outstanding original peer-reviewed articles based on the research project.

    Both these routes of assessment will be conducted in accordance with Durban University of Technology's assessment policies, procedures and rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar Degrees offered internationally include:
  • Doctor of Health Science, College of Health Care Sciences, Nova South Eastern University, United States of America (USA).
  • Ph.D in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Texas, USA.
  • PhD in Health Sciences, Community Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Canada.
  • PhD (Health Sciences), University of Sydney, Australia.

    Best practices from the above-named qualifications are reflected in the purpose of the DPhil: Health Sciences, which is a multidisciplinary model that facilitates skills to work synergistically within diverse fields of inquiry to make significant contributions to knowledge in our increasingly complex health prevention and health care environment. Similarly, best practice is also reflected in the admission and assessment criteria. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal access is possible to Doctorates in related fields of study nationally and internationally.

    Vertical Articulation is possible with any related post-Doctoral studies. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Assessment and moderation will be undertaken in compliance with institutional policies and procedures for examination of a Doctoral thesis. A thesis, as outlined in the relevant institutional guides, will be submitted for examination to two external examiners - one of which would ideally be international - as approved by the relevant institutional committees. The thesis must reflect original research that makes a significant contribution to the field of Health Sciences. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors will at minimum have a Doctoral qualification with a proven track record of publications in the field of Health Sciences or related fields and be appointed in compliance with institutional policies and procedures. Two external examiners approved by the relevant Committees will be appointed. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.