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: 

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8021  Bachelor of Science in Dietetics 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Level 7  NQF Level 08  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   2034-06-30  

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 
First purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with graduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competencies in the three fields of Dietetics viz. Clinical Nutrition, Community Nutrition and Foodservice Management that provides an opportunity for gainful economic activity rewards to society and continued personal intellectual and professional growth.

The second purpose is to provide South Africa with significant numbers of graduates with applicable knowledge, skills and attitudes to address the nutritional problems in society, to promote good nutrition, manage nutrition in health and disease and prevent malnutrition in South Africa.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide graduates who are competent to assess, interpret, plan, manage, implement and evaluate all aspects of the field of Dietetics and Nutrition using a problem-solving approach. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Bachelor's studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply knowledge of physiology, biochemistry food, nutrition and food service systems to plan, implement and manage nutritional care in health and disease of individuals and populations.
    2. Apply knowledge of appropriate health standards and undertake quality assurance qualifications about Dietetic and Nutritional services.
    3. Demonstrate skills in the collection of data related to health and nutritional status of individuals, groups and populations and interpreting and evaluating data, literature, policies and evaluating qualifications at the input, process and impact level.
    4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the process applied in changing dietary behaviour.
    5. Apply the principles of effective communication through an understanding of cultural differences in social contexts.
    6. Work effectively within an organisational structure.
    7. Manage time as well as human, financial material, physical and operational resources.
    8. Participate in policymaking related to nutrition.
    9. Develop and manage small business opportunities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment:
    Formative assessment is provided through tasks, assignments, tutorials and case studies.
    Summative assessment is provided through assignments, oral examinations, written examinations at the end of each module and a research project in the fourth year. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics, Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Medical Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 Western Cape 


    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.