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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: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96631  Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
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 
This programme will produce much needed professionals to enter or to specialise in the communication information technology (CIT) fields. Fields include electronically mediated communication (web-based communications), journalism, advertising, public relations, corporate and organisational communications, government communications, entrepreneurial communications, business information systems and marketing. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A Masters Degree in the field or associated field. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. A detailed research thesis.
2. Oral reporting on aspects of the research.
3. Regular written reports on sub areas and sub problems of the research topic.
4. Demonstrated competence in specific areas of the field under study which may include field and laboratory based practical exercises. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated Assessment:

1. A detailed research thesis.
2. Oral reporting on aspects of the research.
3. Regular written reports on sub areas and sub problems of the research topic.
4. Demonstrated competence in specific areas of the field under study which may include field and laboratory based practical exercises. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
None. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
All research theses will be moderated by an internal promoter and two outside examiners. In addition, in certain specified cases moderation may be required from moderators working in or attached to institutional bodies. These include the South African Broadcasting Corporation, the Public relations Institute of Southern Africa, the Advertising Standards Authority and the South African Communication Association. In all cases, moderators will be suitably qualified in the relevant field of study. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Assessors will have at least a first Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctorate in the field or in a related field. 

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. University of Zululand 


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.