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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Communication Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97077  Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Communication Technology 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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 primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Carry out independent research in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and mastering the required study field.
  • Demonstrate the required level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into computer science problems, thereby revealing his/her ability to critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific information technology problem.
  • Demonstrate reflexive competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organisational abilities.
  • Access further education and training and to enhance his/her marketability and employability in the field of ICT.
  • Write a thesis about the research field.
  • Write articles in the relevant field to be presented at national and international conferences.
  • To demonstrate the ability to generate an original contribution to the field of ICT.

    Rationale:
    The qualification would be beneficial to Information Technology learners, allowing professional recognition of the qualification obtained by the learners. This qualification is intended to be followed after successful completion of the Master of Technology degree qualification in this field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Panel expertise review learner's prior learning and outcome communicated to Registrar. If outcome is not achieved learners may appeal RPL to faculty outcome which would be presented to Senate. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Full Dissertation, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge and understanding of applications with discussions.
    2. Debates on scientific issues and practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Identify, locate, evaluate and consolidate relevant literature on the research project, and generate, analyse and evaluate obtained literature.
  • Write a thesis that is well structured and contains relevant research in the field.
  • Write a research paper on the research topic.
  • Make a contribution to the field of IT.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative (continuous) assessment practices:
  • Research progress is assessed at regular intervals by meetings scheduled with the study leader and other stakeholders in the research field.
  • Colloquiums are also arranged after the completion of the proposal and before final submission.

    Summative (final) assessment practices:
  • The thesis is assessed by the study leader and at least two external examiners in the research field from another institution with at least a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the research area. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This doctor of philosophy compares favourably with other qualifications offered nationally and internationally. A number of institutions offer a doctor of philosophy consisting of coursework and research, while others offer a pure research qualification. This qualification is pure research. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation
    Horizontal articulation:
  • Cognate Doctoral, 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. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.