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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Science: Nutrition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
16387  Master of Science: Nutrition 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  240  Level 8 and above  Level N/A:Pre-2009 was L8+  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

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 provide well-qualified, professional nutritionists who can offer specialist dietetic services to the individual and the community. The purpose is also to provide nutritionists who have the competence to be effective as a researcher.

This qualification will produce competitive professional nutritionists who are competent to render a specialised professional service, according to the needs of a university and/or the national needs of the country, in compliance with international trends and standards. Society and the economy will reap the benefits of people educated and trained to fulfil leadership positions in a profession where services are in demand world wide, especially in developing countries. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This qualification assumes that learners have already obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Science.

Candidates in possession of a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition Biological sciences / Medical Sciences will be admitted to the Magister in Nutrition. Candidates in possession of a Bachelors degree in Nursing/ Biological / Medical Sciences will have to complete additional courses in nutrition.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Learners must have at least the appropriate first degree, Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Science. However, endorsed or equivalent learning will be considered with the necessary recognition after evaluation. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
On completion of the programme, the qualifying learner will:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge to conduct research under supervision in a specific field of dietetics/nutrition.
2. Demonstrate the skills necessary to document and rationalise the research in an acceptable scientific way.
3. Identify the problems in the field of dietetics/nutrition and offer solutions through scientific research to the benefit of the profession.
4. Apply this knowledge to the benefit of the profession. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
The qualifying learner will:

1.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the components of research.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the specific field of study and the relevant literature.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the research methodologies and techniques in the specific field of study and be able to use the procedures effectively.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the writing of a scientific, logic and convincing research report.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the critical evaluation of literature and dietetic practices;

    2.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in selecting a topical research theme and defining the research area appropriately.
  • Document the research systematically and logically and report concisely.
  • Formulate the problem accurately.
  • Formulate realistic goals.
  • Use the relevant literature effectively.
  • Rationalize the problem statement and conclusion.
  • Solve the stated problem and reach the goals.
  • Make logic conclusions and generalisations.
  • Present a technically well produced dissertation of the research.

    3.
  • Identifying specific nutrition-related problems in individuals and in the community.
  • Apply new knowledge in the solution of specific problems in the field of nutrition.
  • Understand the nutritional problems and needs of the country and be able to propose solutions that will satisfy national and international standards of excellence.

    4.
  • Make a contribution to present knowledge in relevant field of nutrition and publish the results in an accredited Journal.
  • Apply new knowledge in solving identified problems.
  • Demonstrate excellence in conducting the profession of dietetics/nutrition.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment in the Magister programmes is based on an integrated and continuous evaluation approach, incorporating formal end evaluations, continuous and formal evaluations. The completion of each module, a mini research project and writing a mini dissertation in a specialised field are some of the summative assessments used. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar programmes are presented at other Faculties of Health Sciences, in SA, and in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Obtaining a Magister in Nutrition gives candidates access to post-graduate programmes, for example Philosophaie Doctor in Nutrition (Ph.D. Nutrition) and various other post-graduate certificates and Diplomas. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Candidates' results and performance will be moderated by one or more external moderators.

    The following quality assurance procedures form part of the overall evaluation and accreditation system:
  • Internal examiners and moderators.
  • External examiners and moderators.
  • The Professional Board for Dietetics/Nutritionists.
  • Accreditation requirements and guidelines of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
  • Requirements and guidelines of the higher education quality assurance bodies (SAQA requirements).
  • Requirements and guidelines of the University of the Orange Free State, Faculty of Health Sciences. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    A minimum of one internal and one external examiner, according to the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the requirements and guidelines of the University of the Free State, Faculty of Health Sciences. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. University of the Free State 


    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.