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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 Philosophy in Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
74016  Master of Philosophy in Optometry 
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  Level 8 and above  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 primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Perform independent scientific research with an original component
  • Contribute to knowledge of and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research
  • Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a Master's dissertation
  • Reflect upon decision-making, self-directedness and contributions to optometric science.
    . 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate ability to:
  • Understand the relevant literature of typical level 7 (NQF) qualifications and transmit the acquired knowledge.
  • Apply theory in the laboratory, scientific field and everyday life.
  • Perform scientific research.

    120 credits on level 7 in the field of Optometry, Vision Science and/or other fields appropriate to the proposed research.
    The appropriate competencies must be satisfied

    Recognition of prior learning:

    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experiential learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent the learner may gain access to the programme but, where necessary, additional studies, for example, in fields including statistics, may be required. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learner should be able to:

    1. Identify and solve research problems through critical and creative reasoning.

    2. Work in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Persevere and execute a research project at the appropriate scientific level.

    4. Collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information (under guidance).

    5. Communicate in writing and verbally with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise one's research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context, including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Show the ability to recognise and create opportunities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:

    1. Identify and solve research problems through critical and creative reasoning.

    2. Work in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Persevere and execute a research project at the appropriate scientific level.

    4. Collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information (under guidance).

    5. Communicate in writing and verbally with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise one's research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context, including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Show the ability to recognise and create opportunities.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    Learners will be assessed continually through discussions with the advisor/s and through attendance at and presentation of seminars.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    The dissertation, seminars and related publication/s produced, will be assessed. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Access to qualifications on a lower level:
    Learners wanting to switch to another qualification or other subjects at this institution, may do so within a period of three weeks after the start of the semester where applicable. They will retain full credit for modules that have been passed.
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:
    The following possibilities for continuation of studies within other higher education programmes exist:
    *Other Master's degree programmes at any other higher education institution.
  • Access to qualifications at a higher level:
    Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study of higher education programmes exist:
    *A doctoral degree (level 8) programme at any higher education institution. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The dissertation should be assessed by at least one external examiner. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors of the Master's qualification should at least have a D.Phil of PhD degree and recent peer-reviewed publications to their credit. Assessors should have been themselves guided learners through Master's degrees. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Old qualification. 

    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. 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.