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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96917  Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
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 
The aim of the Master of Technology (M-Tech) Degree in pharmaceutical sciences is to develop expertise in various aspects of drug design, drug discovery, formulation of dosage forms, efficacy, safety and quality testing, management of drug supply and the promotion of the rational use of drugs. Our national drug policy as well as the drug policies internationally call for the development of such expertise. Research and training in pharmaceutical sciences is essential to improve therapeutic interventions and health care delivery to society.

Since January 1999. Technikon Pretoria has offered the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm) Degree in equal partnership with MEDUNSA. However, the school of Pharmacy at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) cannot provide for vertical articulation of its graduates. There are also regular requests from pharmacists in the Pretoria area for opportunities to study towards further Degrees. This suggests that a need for such a course exists.

The candidate obtaining this qualification will be competent in initiating research and applying research methodology and technical skills in the area of pharmaceutical sciences, thus contributing to the improvement of health care both rural and urban societies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Descriptive entry level:
The candidate must be capable of describing, explaining, comparing and evaluating theories and techniques that are used in the field of pharmaceutical science.

Qualification entry level:
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm), Bachelor of Technology (B Tech), Bachelor of Science Honours (B Sc (Hons) or any equivalent qualification in an appropriate field at Level 8. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
Formative assessment techniques such as written reports, preparation of articles for submission to journals, presentation of posters and oral presentations are designed to develop the towards success in the final summative assessment by thesis. Some recognition of prior learning and work experience is given in the selection procedure but the formal programme does not make provision for outcomes gained in fields other than those related to research in the pharmaceutical sciences and cognate disciplines. The qualification is awarded to the candidate, providing assessed evidence that the stated competence of the qualification as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The candidate will be capable of:
  • Demonstrating understanding and knowledge in the area of pharmaceutical science.
  • Generating and interpreting that of high integrity.
  • Reporting and disseminating the findings of the research.

    Specified outcomes:
    On completion of the programme the candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
    1. Critically evaluate literature and existing information in the field of study and identify the problem.
    2. Define the problem and propose methods to obtain the solution to the problem.
    3. Apply the latest technological skills and highly specialized knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical science to obtain a solution to the problem.
    4. Report on the findings to an appropriate audience.
    5. Train scientists in research methodology in the specialized field of pharmaceutical sciences. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment will be provided on the basis of a thesis. In the thesis the candidate should convey:
  • A mastery of the appropriate methods and techniques of research.
  • Familiarity with the relevant literature and recent trends in technologies and techniques in the relevant field.
  • A clear understanding of the nature of the problem.
  • Logical interpretation of the data and an understanding of the relationship between findings in the study and the ability to evaluate contradictory information.
  • An ability to present the results using an appropriate literary style and a presentation free from errors.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment is provided on written and oral assessments.
    Summative assessment is provided on the basis of a written thesis by both internal and external examiners. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Master's Degree in related fields.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Doctorate in related fields (Level 10). 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Accreditation visits by SERTEC will be arranged. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Criteria as required by SERTEC.

    Assessors should:
    1. Be in the possession of relevant research qualifications in pharmaceutical science.
    2. Have relevant experience in pharmaceutical science.
    3. Be familiar with the institution's educational system. 

    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. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 


    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.