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:

Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111402	Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics
ORIGINATOR
North West University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Secondary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	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 this Postgraduate qualification is to equip learners with advanced knowledge of agricultural economics, such as Agricultural Production and Economics, Agricultural Marketing, Project Appraisal and Management, Land Reform and Rural Development. Furthermore, learners will be provided with basic research skills which will enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of society through both animal and crop production practices in order to promote food security nationally and internationally.

Rationale:
South Africa is in many ways still a developing country in need of land management and rural development specialists who can focus on the enhancement of the quality of the work life of its citizens. The rationale of this Postgraduate qualification is to meet the need in South Africa for Agricultural Economists, who can contribute to planning that land development is balanced with food security.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access purposes will be as per Institutional policies and guidelines. The principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role are accepted. RPL obtained either by formal teaching programmes at any institution, or informally by experience is an indispensable element in granting admission to the qualification or for the awarding of credits towards the qualification.

RPL involves provable knowledge and learning that the learner obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level knowledge and skills required for the contemplated qualification (or modules therein) or status for which the learner is applying and not merely about the experience the learner can prove. RPL takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the learner demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements:

Advanced Diploma, in Agriculture, Level 7.
Or

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8, totalling 136 Credits:

Compulsory Modules:

Agriculture and Economic Development, 16 Credits.

Agricultural Marketing, 8 Credits.

Agricultural Macroeconomics, 12 Credits.

Agricultural Project Appraisal, 16 Credits.

Agricultural Production Economics, 16 Credits.

Agricultural Microeconomics, 12 Credits.

Rural Community Development, 16 Credits.

Quantitative Methods in Agricultural Economics, 8 Credits.

Agricultural Statistics Research I, 16 Credits.

Research Methods and Project, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and competence in agricultural economics and in the practical application of agricultural economics principles in the field and industry.
2. Apply fundamental understanding of agricultural economics principles and their application to agricultural, resource, economic, rural and related issues.
3. Appraise research problems, conduct research and interpret findings within the context of current scientific knowledge.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:

Show an understanding of systematic and integrated knowledge.

Analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.

Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.

Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.

Show professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.

Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Critically reflect on, and show understanding and application of appropriate methods.

Practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

Integrated Assessment:
Continuous Formative Assessment strategies in the form of assignments, portfolios, tests, etc. are employed as well as integrated summative assessments in the form of formal examinations and a mini-research project and report. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual as well as group context may also be employed. Students are continuously assessed on the application of integrated knowledge and advanced skills in order to assure that they are competent for the work place.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:
Horizontal articulation:

Bachelor of Agriculture Honours, Level 8 in relevant fields.

Vertical articulation:

Master of Science in Agriculture, Level 9.

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.

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