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: 

Doctor of Philosophy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9277  Doctor of Philosophy 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  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 
The purpose of the qualification is for the learner to make an original, significant contribution to knowledge in a chosen field through research work (which is usually supervised) which combines specialised knowledge, skills and research mastery to produce a thesis. The chosen field of study includes sub-disciplines of Arts, the Built Environment, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Health Science, Law, Management and Science. The benefit to the career of the graduate and to the country is that (s)he has made, and is capable of making, original contributions to knowledge through research in the chosen field, with cognisance of the impact of the work on society, and can expose his/her work to international criticism. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learning achieved by meeting the outcomes of a qualification of the University listed below (under Formally Accredited Learning) is assumed to be in place.

Formally Accredited Learning:
The typical applicant has a Masters degree of the University, typically in the field of study to be pursued at PhD level, or other University-approved qualification - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. The qualifying learner is capable of independent and original research.

2. The qualifying learner possesses highly specialised, authoritative knowledge and is competent to apply that knowledge to the solution of problems.

3. The qualifying learner is self-directed and self-critical.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes:

a) "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 1, 2 & 3.

b) "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see ELO 2.

c) "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.

d) "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.

e) "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 1 & 3.

f) "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.

g) "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.

h) "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
  • (i) "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 1 & 3.
  • (ii) "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see ELO 2 & 3; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.
  • (iii) "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see ELO 3.
  • (iv) "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 1, 2 & 3.
  • (v) "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - see ELO 2 & 3. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. The qualifying learner completes a thesis by:
  • identifying and formulating a research problem
  • performing a critical and relevant literature survey
  • executing, critically reviewing and iterating research using appropriate methodologies and techniques
  • assessing the significance of research findings, making the case for original contribution and placing the work in the context of the discipline and wider issues where relevant
  • producing the thesis or compilation of publishable work in acceptable structure, style and language.

    2. The qualifying learner demonstrates highly specialised, authoritative knowledge, and application and development of that expert knowledge, in a specialised field, which could include:
  • an expert understanding of the content of the chosen topic of study, with understanding of the context, i.e. of the world as a set of related systems
  • the ability to work, independently or in a team, to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate approach to the solution of problems, recognising wide-ranging factors which could include financial, environmental, social, cultural, health and technological aspects.

    3. The qualifying learner demonstrates awareness of the need to be able to:
  • independently plan, co-ordinate and review research work, usually under supervision
  • show initiative, and to manage himself/herself in an effective and responsible manner
  • be culturally and aesthetically sensitive
  • communicate in appropriate media
  • practise lifelong learning.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The thesis serves as the medium for integrated assessment. Formative assessment is undertaken on a continuous basis, incorporating seminar presentations, papers and reports of research plans and designs. The assessment instruments are designed to integrate practical, foundational and reflexive competence. Furthermore in order to qualify, the learner must demonstrate the specialised knowledge acquired. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This section specifies with which other qualifications of the University the qualification was designed to articulate, i.e. formal articulation; therefore the qualification can articulate informally with equivalent qualifications offered by the University, or with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally.

    Further, an applicant registered at the University or another higher education institution for a similar qualification and who has successfully and satisfactorily completed the first half or less of the qualification, may be able to complete the qualification at the University, and may be granted credit for similar courses already completed.

    Entry to the qualification:
    A Masters degree of the University, typically in the field of study to be pursued at PhD level, or equivalent University-approved qualification.

    Articulation during the qualification:
    A person may, during the course of the PhD, apply to revert to a Masters degree of the University.

    On completion of the qualification:
    At exit level, the qualification articulates with the senior doctorates of the University. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal University requirements govern how and by whom moderation is performed. For example, external examiners are appointed, who are authorities in the field and frequently are of international standing. Such moderation seeks, inter alia, to ensure that, where appropriate, our graduates will be able to comply with professional and statutory requirements. Further, whether an academic entity has a professional orientation or not, the University ensures that its activities are moderated by internal and external review quinquennially. The moderating body for qualifications of the University is the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education, currently represented by the Interim Higher Education Quality Committee. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Internal University quality requirements govern how and by whom assessment may be performed to ensure that assessors have the competence required to assess a qualification of this nature. Once the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education is constituted and ready to pronounce on issues of quality, the University will respond to the HEQC guidance on the registration of assessors. In the interim, the academic staff of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, are regarded as registered assessors since SAQA has registered the institution as a public higher education provider. 

    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. 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.