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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Science in Physiotherapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9399  Master of Science in Physiotherapy 
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  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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.  

This qualification is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
111003  Master of Science in Physiotherapy  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to render a specialised service in physiotherapy and conduct research under supervision
  • Responding to the needs of the community
  • Responding to business and industry needs
  • In life-long learning and the appreciation of the value of education and society.

    Qualifiers will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who register for this qualification can:
  • Learn from predominantly written material;
  • Communicate what they have learnt comprehensively in the medium of instruction;
  • Learn and take responsibility for their own progress.

    Registered as a Physiotherapist with the Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics.

    One year's experience in a clinical capacity.

    RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

    The qualification recognises formal and non-formal prior learning (incorporating experiential learning) at a Higher Education and Training Certificate Level 7 in sciences or a functional equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The planned combination of learning outcomes are integrated with critical cross-field outcomes for this qualification:

    Practical Competency
    The demonstrated ability/skill to achieve the major Skills/Applied Competency of the qualification.

    Foundational Competency
    The demonstrated understanding, by the Learner, of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome.

    Reflective competency
    The demonstrated ability/skill to integrate or connect our performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.

    To successfully complete the qualification the learner will have to demonstrate his/her learning via module specific learning outcomes as well as critical cross-field learning outcomes.

    Module specific outcomes will include capabilities relating to module knowledge and the understanding thereof within a specific context, and capabilities relating to integrated knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines within the field.

    Critical cross-field outcomes will include those specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the certificate and as appropriate to the learner's field of practice.

    1. Identifying problems in the field of physiotherapy, and offer solutions through scientific research under supervision.
    2. Conducting research under supervision in a specific field in physiotherapy.
    3. Documenting and reporting the findings of the research.
    4. Applying the specialised knowledge gained to the benefit of the profession and to the satisfaction of national and international standards of excellence in specialised physiotherapy.

    The learner will be able to analyse and apply the basic principles relevant to the following:

    1. Demonstrate specialised knowledge and understanding of and skills in research and the science of physiotherapy.
    2. Conduct research under supervision in a specific field in physiotherapy.
    3. Produce and present a report on the research.
    4. Apply specialised knowledge and skills in physiotherapy practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    A learner should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude) by means of the following:

    1. Assessment in the programme is based on an integrated and continuing evaluation approach. Informal continuing evaluations, e.g. feedback, assignments.
    2. Formal continuing evaluation, e.g. theoretical tests (written).
    3. Formal end evaluation, e.g. theoretical (written) examinations at the end of the first study year and a research report at the end of the second study year.

    Integrated assessment:

    Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification.
  • Assignments and feedback, tests and theoretical examinations satisfying set/prescribed research standards.
  • A mini-dissertation written to comply with the prescribed research standards.

    Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that:
  • They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
  • They are constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the Learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

    Assessments are:
  • To include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
  • To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical: Ph.D. in Physiotherapy.

    Horizontal: Master's in related sciences, advanced diplomas in related sciences. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • A system of external peer review and evaluation of departments including evaluation of the standards and assessment practices per Department.
  • Qualifications: The minimum academic and workplace experience requirements at a level above the level of moderation.
  • Appropriate professional criteria will be drafted in the case of workplace assessment.
  • Mentorship: All junior and new members of staff are mentored by senior members as they work together in teams All assessment done by external assessors is quality controlled by internal staff.
  • Any moderation criteria as determined by the ETQA.
  • Health Professions Council of South Africa and Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the University of the Free State complies with standards set by Senate and will exercise their assessment within the approved quality assurance system of the University. Assessors will also meet all criteria as stipulated by the relevant ETQA.

    Assessors are:
  • Subject matter specialists
  • Registered with the awarding body
  • Accredited by the awarding body after achieving competency against Unit Standards of competence for Assessors
  • To be administrated, advised and coached by an Internal Verifier. 
    		•

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.