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: 

Bachelor of Medical Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9715  Bachelor of Medical Science 
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
National First Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 6  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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 
Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to work as a professional scientist in a specific area in the field of medical science. 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 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification recognises formal and non-formal prior learning (incorporating experiential learning) at a Further Education and Training Certificate Level 4.

Entry Requirements:
  • Senior Certificate, Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 
    		•

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

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

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

    THE LEARNER WILL BE CAPABLE OF:
  • Knowledge and understanding of basic medical sciences;
  • Knowledge and understanding of research methods and the ability to evaluate;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the range of medical problems confronting medical scientists and the solutions developed for their recognition and investigation;
  • The skills required to do diagnostic testing and research under supervision;
  • The skill to analyse, interpret and evaluate medical science information in the specific area.

    THE LEARNER WILL BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE:
  • Knowledge and understanding of basic medical sciences;
  • Knowledge and understanding of research methods and the ability to evaluate;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the range of medical problems confronting medical scientists and the solutions developed for their recognition and investigation;
  • The skills required to do diagnostic testing and research under supervision;
  • The skill to analyse, interpret and evaluate medical science information in the specific area. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and skills through:
  • Feedback, assignments and group projects;
  • Theoretical skills, practical and oral tests and examinations according to standards set by the University and the Professional Board.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the qualification:
  • Module course mark.
  • Workplace assessment through practicals.
  • Workplace assessment through student teaching.
  • Assignments.
  • Oral and group work.
  • Examinations.
  • Formal and Informal evaluations.

    This will be supported by a module credit system, followed by a final exam on the modules for which credit was not obtained.

    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 Learners 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 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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: 
     
    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.