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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105484  Master of Agriculture 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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
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 0335/25  2024-06-30  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 qualification is to prepare students at an advanced level for a management career in the fields of Economics and Business Applied to the agricultural and natural resources sector. This course targets specifically those that have to operate at policy and operational level in institutions dealing with the socio-economic problems of developing areas.

The purpose of the qualification is to supply the agricultural and rural sector with competent Agricultural Economists, who could work efficiently in multi-disciplinary teams to address the problems of rural areas.

Graduates will therefore cover a wide range of courses providing them with skills at more depth than at the under-graduate level. 

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

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Agriculture Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Agricultural Economics Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Institutional Agriculture Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant Level 8 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of course work and a research project. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of agricultural economics to economic problems and issues in the agricultural and natural resources sector in developing areas.
  • Identify, plan, conduct, interpret and document a research project.
  • Demonstrate advanced theoretical understanding of developmental issues in rural and farming communities.
  • Apply the principles of agricultural economics to help to find solutions to the problems of developing areas. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria is assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Problem solving ability through economic applications in natural and biological resources.
  • Basic quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic applications.
  • Advanced knowledge of all aspects of agricultural economics, including farm management, resource economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance and agricultural policy.
  • In-depth knowledge of the problems or rural communities in developing areas.
  • Basic knowledge of rural governance issues.
  • Ability to negotiate and plan strategically.
  • In-depth knowledge of agricultural institutions and rural systems.
  • Knowledge of research methodology and the ability to apply it successfully.
  • Identify a relevant topic for research.
  • Identify research problem.
  • Do survey and analyse and present results in a logical fashion.
  • Theoretical basis for problem solving in natural and biological resources.
  • Basic quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic applications.
  • Advanced theoretical knowledge of selected aspects of agricultural economics, including farm management, resource economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance and agricultural development.
  • Knowledge of agricultural institutions and rural systems.
  • Knowledge of project planning and appraisal.
  • Basic understanding of the issues in rural development.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Simulations.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Other:
  • Assignments and exercises for course work.
  • Research report on approved research topic. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    N/A 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Master of Technology in 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.