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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Commerce in Agricultural Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105474  Master of Commerce in Agricultural Economics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 
The purpose of the qualification is to prepare students at an advance level for a management or research career in the fields of economics and business applied to the agricultural and agribusiness sector. This course targets specifically those that have to operate at management level in agricultural related institutions.

It creates an opportunity for specialisation over and above the skills acquired in the Bachelor of Commerce (B Com) Degree. In comparison to the B Com which is more a generalised approach, the Master of Commerce (M Com) emphasises specialisation in two of the core areas offered viz. Agribusiness and agricultural and rural finance. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Agribusiness Management, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours, Level 8 in economics, business, management, marketing or financial management; or
  • Any Bachelor of Commerce Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, analyse and provide solutions to problems and issues in the agribusiness and food sector at a strategic level.
    2. Demonstrate an advance theoretical and applied understanding of the principles of economic theory and business management and how it relates to the agricultural and food sector, within specific areas of specialisation namely agribusiness, agricultural and rural finance.
    3. Demonstrate an advance theoretical understanding of the principles of economic theory and business management and how it relates to the agricultural and food sector.
    4. Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team on agribusiness and food management.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to do problem-solving research in the agribusiness and agricultural sector.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate a research problem, formulate a hypothesis, do a literature study and execute field-level research and write a scientific report independently. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:
  • Solve problems through financial and economic applications in natural and biological resources.
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding of economic theory relevant to areas of specialisation.
  • Strategically apply the principles of business management as it relates to the agricultural and food sector.
  • Apply advanced quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic and financial applications.
  • Apply advanced knowledge of farm and agribusiness and food sector management, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of food and fibre supply chain management in agriculture.
  • Negotiate and plan strategically.
  • Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of financial management and business management.
  • Apply knowledge of research methodology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:
  • Apply a theoretical basis for problem solving in natural and biological resources.
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding of economic theory relevant to agribusiness and agricultural finance.
  • Demonstrate advanced quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic and financial applications.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of farm and food and agribusiness management, agricultural and food marketing, agricultural and rural finance.
  • Apply knowledge of agribusiness institutions and systems.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Simulations.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.
  • Assignments and exercises for course work.
  • Full Master's thesis on approved research topic. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics, Level 9.
  • Master of Agricultural Economics, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics, 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.