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: 

Postgraduate Diploma: Dietetics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72955  Postgraduate Diploma: Dietetics 
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
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  132  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
2511  Postgraduate Diploma: Dietetics  Level 7  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L7  132  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the Dietetics qualification is to enable students to communicate and apply the science of nutrition to enhance the health and quality of life of individuals and groups in health and disease. The dietitian seeks to influence food related behaviours. In addition to the three main areas of dietetics, namely therapeutic dietetics, community nutrition and food service management, skills in communication, management and research are developed. Dietitians are employed both in the public and private sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • An adequate exposure to physical science or biology.
  • An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
  • Adequate literacy skills in English.

    These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:
  • Matriculation exemption with at least 40%at Higher Grade or at least 60%at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40%at Higher Grade or at least 60%at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
  • Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFP).
  • Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard.
  • Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
  • The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Resolve problems encountered in the field related to the profession
    2. Work with professionals in organizations
    3. Work with community members
    4. Completes set tasks in the field satisfactorily and timeously
    5. Can adjust to new situations
    6. Synthesis of research literature
    7. Basic evaluation of research
    8. Use information to develop interventions
    9. Select and use appropriate methodology for research
    10. Write a research protocol/proposal
    11. Report on research findings in the appropriate manner (written and oral)
    12. Facilitate and chair group discussions and meetings
    13. Counselling
    14. Effective interpersonal skills applied in the working environment
    15. Professional communication skills
    16. Report writing
    17. Ability to advocate and promote nutrition
    18. Able to communicate the science of nutrition and its application in an appropriate manner to patients, colleagues and the public
    19. Reflect on the human, ethical and moral implications of using science and technology in a way which promotes conservation of the environment
    20. Conduct research in an ethical manner *Apply an appropriate holistic approach to nutrition related issues
    21. Work in an intersectoml manner and acknowledge the contribution of others l Able to implement entrepreneurial activities
    22. Able to apply knowledge appropriately
    22. Understanding of the principles of research +Acts in a professional and ethical manner
    23. Reflects on working in a professional and entrepreneurial manner
    24. Aware of the responsibilities of training and supervising other professionals l Understanding of research methods and approaches

    25. l Able to conduct and write up a research project
    26. *Demonstrates a scientific and professional approach to the application of Diet Therapy in practise 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate the ability to use their knowledge to solve problems and display responsible decision making using critical and creative thinking
  • Work effectively with others in a team or group as well as with people from organizations and communities
  • Organize and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively
  • Collect, analyse, organize, critically evaluate and synthesize information
  • Communicate effectively
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility for the environment and the health of others
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as related systems in a problem solving context and not in isolation
  • Develop the ability to learn more effectively, to be responsible citizens, to show cultural sensitivity, to use education and career opportunities to their best advantage and to be entrepreneurial
  • To behave in a professional manner

    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

    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. Students understand the basic knowledge related to nutrition and dietetics and are able to integrate different types of knowledge and can use the knowledge in an applied situation in order to suggest or implement appropriate solutions. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners may shift into the prog mmme a t any level provided they meet all the prerequisite require ments for that level. Students Born Agricultural
    Colleges and Teohnikons with completed Diplomas may carry credits into the progmmme. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The ETQA system for HE is not yet tidly developed. Until such ti me as it is, procedures described under IO. above suffice. The Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics constitutes a professional qualification which entitles students to register as dietitians in Africa. Therefore the Dietetics qualification has been designed to ensure that all the necessary professional competencies determined by the Professional Board for Dietitians are included. 

    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 Cl+'7 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.