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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Medicine 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93612  Doctor of Medicine 
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 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:
In achieving this Doctor of Medicine (MD), the learner is expected to demonstrate expertise and specialist knowledge in the chosen field and also make an original and significant contribution to the development of knowledge therein. It is intended that the learner enrolled for this Doctoral Degree will undertake original research that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the field and will submit a thesis reporting the results of the research.

Successful completion of this Doctorate will enable the graduate to work independently and to supervise others in the specialised field.

The benefit to society in the field of health will increase as graduates produce good quality and relevant research. The graduates will operate in clinical practice in private, public and/or academic medicine.

Rationale:
Achievement of this qualification will increase the number of clinicians with a higher Degree. As the service load of clinicians is especially high, this format of the Degree, i.e., retrospective/already published research, may enable a clinician to obtain a higher Degree. The attainment of this Degree may enable clinicians to supervise other graduates and in this way increase the pool of clinician scientists in the country.

In relation to proof of demand for the qualification - the recent Academy for Science for South Africa (ASSAf) document entitled "Revitalising Clinical Research in South Africa" speaks to clinical research contributing to health care. It does this by "identifying the causes of problems, facilitating diagnosis, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of care and promoting good policy making. It also supports the training of competent health professionals" (ASSAf, 2010). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Through Recognition of Prior Learning, access to this Doctoral Degree could be granted to learners for retrospective/already published research.

Entry Requirements:
Learners in possession of one of the following may be able to access this Degree:
  • A Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of not less than four years' standing
    Or
  • A Master's Degree of not less than three years' standing in a discipline that the Senate considers to be appropriate. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Doctoral Degree is awarded on production and submission of an original thesis that has been assessed, suitably published and accepted by relevant peers.

    Fulfilment of requirements for the award of Degree:
  • Under the guidance of a supervisor, a candidate shall present for the approval of the Senate original and inter-related published research (or accepted for publication) or clinical studies embodying original work, of which a substantial proportion has been carried out by the candidate in a field of medical science, which has been conducted in a research rich environment, satisfied acceptable ethics requirements and approved by the Senate. Such work shall constitute a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in that field. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a high level of research capability by producing a research product that shows application and synthesis of advanced research methods in the chosen discipline.
    2. Demonstrate in-depth insight into complex challenges facing the chosen research area by producing a research product that is original and makes a significant contribution to the discipline being researched.
    3. Demonstrate a broad knowledge and a systematic understanding of the chosen research area, as well as in-depth and up-to-date specialist knowledge of a defined part of the research area.
    4. Critically appraise existing theories in the chosen field to offer innovative solutions to current and future challenges, which solutions are able to withstand review and scrutiny by international standards. This includes but is not limited to scientific and ethical standards.
    5. Be aware of the fields and directions to be taken in order to become a lifelong learner, and recognise personal educational needs, utilise appropriate learning situations and evaluate own progress. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Intellectual independence and in-depth understanding of the defined research area is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A thesis that contributes significantly to the development of new and innovative knowledge in their discipline is independently produced.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Scientific analysis and synthesis, as well as independent critical examination and assessment of new and complex phenomena, issues and situations is carried out.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Research leadership which includes supervising and evaluating others' research in a field of specialisation is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Needs for further knowledge and new directions are identified and action to achieve these is taken.

    Integrated Assessment:
    During the preparation of the thesis the work will be regularly presented to the supervisor for formative assessment in preparation for the final submission to the examiners for summative assessment.

    If applicable, the proposal will be submitted to the institutional Research Ethics Committee for ethical clearance prior to commencement of the research. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In terms of the required theoretical knowledge and production of an original research document which is presented in the required manner, this qualification complies with acceptable international practice for a Doctoral Degree. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:
  • The qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Doctoral or Doctor of Philosophy Degrees.
  • The qualification articulates vertically with Post-Doctoral studies in cognate fields. 
    		•

    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 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.