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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Agriculture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112122  Master of Agriculture 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Generic Management 
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
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 
Purpose:
To prepare learner for specialised further Postgraduate studies. This qualification aims at:
  • Providing the learner with the opportunity to present evidence of advanced study and research characterised by intellectual independence and advanced knowledge of a specialisation area in the subject, as well as accurate evaluation of his/her own results and that of others by production of a thesis which places his/her research in a broad context which is capable of withstanding international intellectual scrutiny.
  • Developing the learner in order to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of supervised planning and execution of a research project in the discipline. This project includes hypothesis formulation, collecting appropriate experimental materials, optimising techniques and procedures, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation of results and writing of a dissertation according to a structured format and related literature.

    Rationale:
    This Master of Agriculture is the third qualification in the learning and career pathway in architecture and follows on from the Bachelor of Architecture Honours, Level 8 which is preceded by the Bachelor of Architecture, Level 7.

    The qualification provides learners with the opportunity to further their studies and conduct research within a specific field of specialisation, such as agricultural management, irrigation management or wildlife management. This qualification, with its focus on agriculture and agricultural activities, aims to produce graduates who are able to conduct advanced research in:
  • Agricultural Economics,
  • Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences,
  • Soil,
  • Crop and Climate Sciences.
    The aims of this qualification are to present specialised Postgraduate agricultural management training to guide the learner in such a way that he/she will be able to successfully integrate, communicate and apply the principles, concepts and knowledge of agricultural and management science as well as to enhance applicable research skills in order to enable the learner to qualify as a specialist in his/her field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the programme. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Agriculture Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Agricultural Management Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Master and apply a comprehensive, in-depth, theoretical knowledge of concepts and theories in the field of Agricultural Economics, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, Soil, Crop or Climate Sciences.
    2. Possess well-developed research skills and evaluate a range of knowledge sources and scholarly apply it in the required context.
    3. Critically evaluate literature and evidence to cope with contradictions and make defendable judgments.
    4. Understand the value and limitations of scientific observations, data and knowledge.
    5. Critically reflect on ethical and professional scientific practices within own area of expertise.
    6. Apply a number of techniques to conduct a scientific investigation in such a way that results obtained can be interpreted in a scientifically sound manner.
    7. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
    8. Design and critically appraise research and make sound judgments using available data and information. Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of the available agricultural knowledge base and place the subject and the results of a research investigation in the context of previously acquired knowledge.
    9. Contribute to the current knowledge base in own area of expertise by presenting and communicating academic ideas clearly and effectively and in a novel way to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
    10. Work independently and take full responsibility for own work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts.
    11. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
    12. Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Provide leadership in a specialisation area of Agriculture with regard to research activities.
  • Do research in any field of Agricultural Management.
  • Build a strategy on a chosen specialised field in agriculture.
  • Initiate and plan research projects related to a field of specialisation in agriculture.
  • Collect, interpret, communicate and apply research results related to a specialisation field in agriculture.
  • Integrate risk in an agricultural strategy in any research related to a field of specialisation in agriculture.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners are required to submit a dissertation to successfully complete the qualification, which is assessed according to academic requirements for Master's Degree study. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Agriculture in Plant Protection, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Agriculture, 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.