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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
6269  Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  460  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  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 
The purpose of the qualification is to produce experts, specialists and leaders in a specific sub-discipline of agricultural economics.

Through specialisation, in-depth study and research it creates an opportunity for specialisation over and above the skills acquired in the MSc Agric degree. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Master's degree

Other:
Learners can be admitted to the PhD programme in agricultural economics having obtained an MSc Agric or M Inst Agrar or equivalent degree. In the case of the latter, additional course work could be required. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Overall learning outcomes:

The PhD graduate will be considered as a specialist and leader in a sub field of Agricultural Economics and could provide solutions to economic problems and issues in the agricultural and natural resources sector at a strategic level.

Through the thesis the PhD graduate should make a contribution to the subject matter of economic theory as it applies to the agricultural and natural resources sector.

2. Critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Be able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team on agricultural and natural resource issues.
  • Identifying, analysing and solving economic problems in the agricultural industry.
  • Demonstrate the ability to do problem-solving research in the agricultural and natural resources sector.
  • 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.
  • Be able to do quantitative economic analysis of agricultural related research and policy issues. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • -Problem solving ability through economic applications in natural and biological resources
  • -Specialist knowledge of economic theory relevant to areas of specialisation.
  • -Advanced quantitative and analytical skills as it relates to economic applications.
  • -Expertise in a specific area of agricultural economics, including farm management, production economics, resource economics, agricultural marketing, agricultural and rural finance and agricultural policy.
  • -Ability to negotiate and plan strategically.
  • -In-depth knowledge of research methodology and the ability to apply it successfully.
  • -Innovative approaches to solving real life economic and institutional problems in the agricultural and natural resources sector.

    Integrated assessment:

    Simulations
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations

    Other:
    Assignments and exercises for course work.
    Full PhD thesis on approved research topic 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    None 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Memoranda
    External examiners
    Co-promoters 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    1. Qualifications required:
    At least PhD in agricultural economics

    2. Career experience required:
    Should have published in the field of agricultural economics and also has some university experience or experience as agricultural economist in agribusiness, farming or banks.

    3. Other criteria:
    Trained as an assessor 

    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 Pretoria 


    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.