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 Food Science and Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
9127  Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
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   2033-06-30  

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 
The qualification in Food Science and Technology is aimed at producing learners (i.e. qualifying learners) capable of applying Scientific and Technology knowledge to the production, storage, distribution, marketing and use of food and beverages from raw materials.

Due to the broad training the Food Technology, qualifying learners have received; they have a range of opportunities for senior level employment at the different sectors of the food industry. These qualifying learners could be employed in the food industry as Packing House Managers, Plant/Production Managers, Research and Development Personnel, Quality assurance/Food Safety personnel etc. to mention a few, or they may even decide to start their own food processing ventures.

The six months co-ordinate industrial work experience, which is an integral part of our training Qualification should enable our qualifying learners to fill positions in the food industry with a minimum of on-the-job-training. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    a). Learning outcomes:
    1. Ability to apply scientific and technological knowledge to the production, storage, distribution, marketing and use of food from raw materials.
    2. Demonstration of professionalism and competence in the fundamentals of post harvest biology, preservation and handling technologies of food commodities including processing, storage packing and distribution.
    3. Product and process development.
    4. Quality systems management with specific reference to HACCP concept and other legal requirements.
    5. Development of new food processing equipment including their design and fabrication.
    6. Ability to transfer technology in all aspects of Food Science and Technology including, processing storage and distribution.

    b). Specify critical cross-field outcomes:
    Critical cross-field outcomes include those specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the qualification and as appropriate to the learner's possible field of future employment. These would include, among others. The following:
  • Demonstration of an understanding of the world food problem with particular emphasis on Southern African countries and Africa in general.
  • Ability to identify the various constraints affecting the efficiency of primary and post harvest agricultural Production systems and some understanding as to how these constraints could be removed or minimised by coming up with appropriate post harvest technology procedure.
  • Ability to apply scientific and technological knowledge to the production, storage distribution marketing and use of food and beverage from raw materials.
  • Demonstration of a good degree of professionalism including an understanding of the ethical and legal issues associated with the practice of Food Science and Technology.

    Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economical development of society, by making it the underlying intention of this qualification of learning to make the learner aware of the importance of:
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Exploring education and career opportunities.
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

    The qualification aims to assess these capabilities (cognitive, skills, affective) by means of:
  • Independent study and teamwork.
  • Individual and group-based problem solving.
  • Laboratory investigations, workshop practice, case studies, projects and excursions.
  • The integration of cognitive and practical skills and also to develop.
  • Communication skills (report writing; and presentation of results).
  • An appreciation of the contribution of food science and technology to society. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. A range of continuous formative and summative assessment methods such as prescribed practicals, workplace, including pilot plant processing assessment, project work, singly and in group, written and oral report/tutorials.
    2. Industrial work experience report and written examination, will be used integratively to assess whether the specified field outcomes have been achieved.
    3. The learner should demonstrate that they have a good working knowledge and understanding of the science, technology and business of food handling and manufacture from locally produced agricultural produce.
    4. They should also be able to demonstrate professionalism. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Food and Beverage Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science in Food Management, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Science in Food Science and Technology, NQF 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 Venda 


    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.