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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights Protection 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96669  Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights Protection 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
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 qualification is to offer specialised training in theories, concepts and research methods appropriate to the emerging field of enquiry. This will contribute to the further development and strengthening of engaged scholarship on legal issues of great relevance to societies and in Africa in particular.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights Protection is a research Degree. The main purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification is undertaking original research, and of working at the highest level in any scientific undertaking. The qualified person will be able to contribute in their own right to the legal discourse, and to train others to the same level of skills and achievement. The Doctor of Philosophy in Human Rights Protection is primarily an academic one, it is regarded as the entry-level qualification to an academic and research career at most Universities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. In addition, an application can be made in terms of rule A.2 via Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Master's Degree Law or any equivalent discipline.
  • Students should have achieved a minimum average mark of 65% in the relevant Master's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    There are no rules of combination; the student must submit a thesis for external examination. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understanding of research methodologies in qualitative and quantitative research design, and the ability to select those appropriate for their own work.
    2. Ability to identify, analyse, synthesise and undertake independent evaluation of topics relevant to the field.
    3. Ability to present a well-structured and developed piece of research which is of publishable standards.
    4. Critically demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to coherently and logically structure and organise his/her study.
    6. Critically demonstrate the ability to analytically and conceptually apply research tools to the topic under investigation.
    7. Demonstrate the ability for critical review and analysis of literature in the field under investigation. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • That the researcher has made an original contribution in a specific area of specialisation in the field of in Human Rights Protection.
  • That the researcher is capable of independently initiating and conducting research in the chosen area of specialisation in Human Rights Protection.
  • That the researcher has specialist knowledge in the field of in Human Rights Protection.
  • That the researcher is capable of producing a dissertation, which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The students' knowledge in the area of research will be assessed the supervisor and faculty members a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three external professors. Students will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree by dissertation will be comparable to those Doctoral Degrees through dissertation offered by international institutions. This comparable standard will be maintained through the appointment of international external examiners. Furthermore, the criteria for the successful completion of the PhD dissertation will be those criteria that are also internationally accepted. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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.