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: 

Master of Health Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115401  Master of Health Sciences 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-12-17  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Health Sciences is to enable learners to develop high levels of specialised knowledge and expertise in research within the field of Health Sciences. The qualification aims to develop advanced problem-solving skills, critical and reflective thinking, as well as the ability to report on research conducted in ways appropriate to the relevant academic and disciplinary discourses. The learner will report the findings in a manner that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the profession. Learners will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by applying advanced theoretical or applied knowledge to develop and advance the study and practice of Health Science principles.

Rationale:
The qualification aims to develop the qualifying learners with insight, and the ability to conceptualise research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice in the relevant field of Health Sciences. It is essential in the South African environment to provide healthcare that is accessible to the community and is of a high professional standard. This qualification allows learners to apply their knowledge to solving healthcare problems, as well as engage in community upliftment. This qualification offers an opportunity for professionals both nationally and internationally, who currently hold a professional NQF 8 qualification or equivalent in Health Sciences. Learners who obtain the qualification can compete for research positions internationally. In the process, the qualification will allow the attraction of researchers from the continent of Africa and beyond, thus strengthening the internationalisation strategy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. The institution manages RPL according to its policy, and apply it as follows:
i. Through RPL, the learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
ii. RPL takes place in terms of the requirements and procedures as set out and applied by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
iii. RPL, in the case of a learner not comply with the formal entry requirements, is:
  • Conducted after payment of the prescribed fees following the Policy and guidelines of the institution;
  • Based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience;
  • Considered only where the prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-Level;
  • Taking place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification;
  • Considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
  • Finally, decided upon by the Faculty of Health Sciences' Dean's Committee.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of one compulsory module at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, 180 Credits:
  • Research project and Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes about Health Sciences and associated fields.
    2.Address managerial, educational and research needs/problems by taking social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic influences into consideration.
    3. Demonstrate a comprehensive, systematic and integrated specialist knowledge and skills of the discipline.
    4. Display advanced research skills. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Critically Analyse and evaluate technologies, techniques, models and theories in the specialist field by explaining models, principles, theories, techniques and methodologies in order to establish recent trends in the chosen field critically.
  • Identify and solve problems by thinking critically and creatively in designing, executing and reporting on a specialised area.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Effectively address Address managerial, educational and research needs and problems within the social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic trends/realities/frame-work effectively.
  • Demonstrate constructive and effective interaction with people and environments, as relevant to the field.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply theories, research methodologies, epistemologies, and methods/techniques relevant to the discipline.
  • Utilise a range of specialised and related skills to identify, analyse and deal with complex problems and issues.
  • Cite relevant literature and recent trends in the technologies, techniques, models and theories in the relevant field of health sciences.
  • Demonstrate advanced information, retrieval and processing skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and independently evaluate quantitative and qualitative data in the field.
  • Apply ethical decision-making skills within the specialised health science contexts when dealing with complex ethical and professional issues to make informed judgements on such issues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Identify and define the research problem clearly.
  • Develop and present a research project by applying the correct research methodologies and techniques.
  • Systematically and creatively draw on the theories, research methodologies, methods/techniques (including statistical and mathematical techniques), literature and materials of their discipline/field of choice.
  • Operate responsibility for their work autonomously.
  • Critique and evaluate current research, and participate in scholarly debates, addressing both theory and practice, in the area of specialisation.
  • Present and communicate the results of research using appropriate academic and professional discourse.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment:
  • Seminar presentations and learner/supervisor consultations.

    Summative assessment:
  • Research Dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia:
    Name of Institution: The University of Western Australia, Master of Health Sciences.
    Content: Research-based.
    Synopsis: The focus is to prepare the learners to become productive researchers in their relevant field of health science.

    Country: Canada:
    Name of Institution: The University of British Columbia, Master of Science in Health Science.
    Content: Research and some course work, although course work does not apply to the accredited MHSc.
    Synopsis: The focus is to prepare learners to become productive researchers in a variety of fields in the broad Health Sciences discipline.

    Country: New Zealand:
    Name of Institution: The University of Auckland, Master of Health Sciences.
    Content: Research and some course work, which does not apply to the MHSc.
    Synopsis: This qualification contributes to areas such as health services, health systems, clinical practice and research. The qualification equips the learner to take on leadership roles in the delivery of health services, systems or research. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Health Sciences, 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.