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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Health Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98984  Master of Health Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
Durban 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
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Health Sciences degree is to promote the career advancement of learners in the field of Health Sciences by enabling learners to learn and apply the research process to improve health care services and systems through a multidisciplinary approach. Multidisciplinary research provides the means to solve problems and answer questions that may not be satisfied using a single method or approach within a single discipline. Upon successful completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding of Health Sciences and have mastered the skills and methods of research related to the field.
  • Able to identify a problem, provide a rationale to investigate the problem, develop a systematic research plan, implement it and critically analyse the outcomes.
  • Able to effectively communicate the research findings in an oral and written form.

    Rationale:
    This qualification will provide an opportunity to multi-skill learners who are unemployed. It will assist in providing the required skills to support service delivery in the health sector. The focus of this master's qualification in Health Sciences is to draw learners from a variety of related fields and disciplines to strengthen research and service in health systems and care. It will provide learners with an opportunity to conduct applied research in the health sciences. The outcome of this master's qualification is a holistic grasp of the integration of related knowledge, skills and attitudes towards improving the quality and delivery of health care. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access into the programme may be gained through the RPL route. The DUT RPL policy will apply. The Degree may not be obtained through RPL.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor Honours Degree.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma.
    Or
  • 480 Credit Bachelors' Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is a dissertation and comprises one compulsory module totalling 180 Credits.
  • Research Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of Health Sciences and have mastered the skills and methods of research related to the field.
    2. Able to identify a problem, provide a rationale to investigate the problem, develop a systematic research plan, implement it and critically analyse the outcomes.
    3. Able to effectively communicate the research findings in an oral and written form. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Knowledge and expertise in the Health Sciences field is demonstrated.
  • Problems are conceptualised, identified and investigated.
  • Research is undertaken in an ethical and accountable manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A problem is identified and rationale to investigate the problem is provided.
  • The problem is investigated.
  • Data is analysed and interpreted.
  • Outcomes are defended and findings disseminated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Findings are defended orally in a national or international conference.
  • A dissertation that conforms to national and international standards is produced.
  • A manuscript for publication is developed.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The candidate must submit a dissertation for assessment. Assessment will be conducted according to the postgraduate assessment policy of the Institution.

    Formative assessment is conducted throughout in tutorial groups and face to face engagements with supervisors. Summative assessment is based on an externally and internally moderated process. Assessment will be conducted according to the postgraduate assessment policy of the Institution. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Notre Dame in the United States of America (USA) offers a Master of Science in Global Health qualification that provides an engaging science-centric training in the context of global health. The curriculum offers opportunities to operationalise the newly acquired skills and knowledge through activities such as laboratory research, survey research, mathematical modelling, Health platforms, and project management. The qualification allows learners to make connections between classroom training in global health topics and the real health needs of resource-poor populations around the world through hands-on experience.

    Master of Public Health offered by Roehampton University in the United Kingdom (UK), learners are trained to identify and develop plans to address health care issues. The University is committed to creating public health leaders capable of changing their world through the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. In a world of increasingly complex health issues, modern public health professionals require a blend of skills to recognise risks to public health, set up models of intervention and raise levels of understanding within societies. Learners in this qualification collaborate with health professionals around the world as they study an interdisciplinary approach toward developing the leadership, personal and critical-thinking skills required to become a positive agent of change.

    Conclusion:
    The above comparative analysis clearly reflects the similarities, in terms of the purpose and rationale that this qualification has with other international qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides the following possible articulation opportunities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Environmental Health at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Public Health at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Technology in Environmental Health at NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences at NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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. Durban 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.