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: 

Master of Pharmacy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96493  Master of Pharmacy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 
Pharmaceutical science is a major field of study dealing with the discovery, formulation, design and testing of drug products to improve the health status of society. The qualification aims to train highly skilled researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences (i.e. pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology or pharmacy practice).

Learners will be competent to apply research methodology and techniques at this level in the pharmaceutical sciences.

Motivation for programme:
Qualified learners who have completed this qualification have the education and training to contribute national and international endeavours to improve the health status of society, to raise the status of institutions as centres of excellence in applied research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner will be capable to:
    1. Generate and interpret data of high integrity in the specialised field in the pharmaceutical sciences
    2. Report and disseminate the findings of the research programme orally and in writing to appropriate audiences. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In the thesis the learner should convey:
    1. Mastery of the appropriate methods and techniques of research.
    2. Familiarity with the relevant literature.
    3. A clear understanding of the nature of the problem or topic.
    4. An appreciation of the significance of the findings.
    5. Present the results using an appropriate literary style and presentation free from errors.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners should provide evidence of a specialised and high level of competence, knowledge and integrity. Formative assessment is provided on written and oral research reports. Summative assessment is provided on the basis of a thesis. The thesis will be presented for examination at least 18 months after registration and preparation, in consultation with the supervisor.

    The following quality assurance procedures form part of the overall evaluation and accreditation system:
    1. At least one internal supervisor/examiner.
    2. At least two external examiners (minimum qualifications for examiners in: Doctor of Philosophy plus 5 years research experience in the pharmaceutical sciences).
    3. Requirements and guidelines of the higher education quality assurance bodies (SAQA requirements).
    4. Requirements and guidelines of the institution as contained in the Higher Degrees Guide. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration and Policy Regulation, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Pharmacy, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Western Cape 


    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.