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 Food Security 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72912  Master of Food Security 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 11 - Services  Consumer Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
19991  Master of Food Security  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  128  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Food security is a term that encompasses many concepts, including nutrition in the household, access (physical and financial) to food at the local, regional or national levels, and policy that can hinder or reduce quality and access to food. This qualification aims to develop a multi-disciplinary framework for applied research and the development and evaluation of intervention programmes and policy in various aspects of food security.

The Postgraduate qualifications in Food Security of the University of Natal focuses on food security in developing countries (in particular, the southern African region) through identification of food security issues, establishment of baseline information, and development of appropriate and improved strategies that impact on food security. It draws from expertise in many relevant disciplines, applies an integrated approach and equips the candidate/participant with the necessary skills to identify and analyse pertinent food security policy issues, formulate policy, and then design and implement programmes. The qualification would prepare post graduate students for careers in multi-disciplinary research, programme and policy development and food security advocacy. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The basic requirement for entry will be a recognised first degree of an acceptable academic standing, or approved equivalent. A mature student with field experience will be considered under the normal Faculty rules of exception. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Identify and solve food security problems in a creative and critical manner;
  • Work effectively with others from relevant disciplines and sectors to apply an integrated approach;
  • Be self-organised and self-managed for effective work;
  • Collect, analyse and evaluate food security information;
  • Communicate food security issues effectively and appropriately; and
  • Use related tools critically, effectively and responsibly. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Masters programmes will enable candidates to integrate aspects of FS at a professional level of ability, eg. identifying and solving FS problems. Candidates will conduct publishable research and demonstrate facility with all levels of communication necessary in FS matters
  • identify and solve FS problems at international professional standards
  • confidently proposes policy and programmes to improve FS situations
  • works effectively as member of a team
  • consults with specialists when necessary
  • trains others in FS issues
  • demonstrate professional standards
  • can adjust to new and unexpected situations in optimal fashion *complete thesis to high academic standard
  • confident spokes person for FS at ail levels, eg. community, govt, media
  • publishable scientific material for peer-reviewed journal
  • uses appropriate tools to complete thesis

    Integrated Assessment:

    The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.

    A variety of summative and formative assessment procedures will be imployed, including tests, essays, group projects, seminars and portfolios as well as practice and feedback on essential skills in communication, group skills, and research methods. Emphasis will be placed on integration of learning activities in assessment procedures especially in the foundation module and core food security modules. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet fully developed. Until such time as it is, procedures described under 10. above suffice. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

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

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.