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: 

Master of Science in Agriculture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96544  Master of Science in Agriculture 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
The first purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with postgraduate-level knowledge, specific skills, and applied competence in general and specific areas of agricultural economics and management. The qualification will also provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

The third purpose is to provide South Africa with a cadre of highly competent researchers who will have clear and growing understanding of scientific developments in agricultural research. The learners will thus be able to active participants in the generation and reconfiguration of knowledge so as to meet the ever changing food, fibre and socio-Economic needs of the South African society. The qualification provides a certain degree of specialisation and proven competence in research in this field, thus empowering the learner and opening up better career opportunities.

By completing the research the learner will have further demonstrated his/her capacity to make a significant contribution to agriculture

Rationale:
The rationale of the qualification is to provide the Agricultural industry in South Africa, which underpins all aspects of the economy, with significant numbers of graduates. These graduates will have interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in Agricultural Economics and Farm Business Management and related agricultural sciences necessary for the identification and strategic solution of real-life problems facing the industry. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification allows for Recognition of Prior Learning for a leaner to attain entry/access to this qualification and to gain exemptions from some qualification requirements. Where an entry criterion applies, a prospective leaner may use prior learning experience in the field of public health to gain entry to the qualification. Submission of a portfolio of evidence as proof of practical experience from an appropriate setting will enable the learner admission to the qualification. Access to the qualification through recognition of prior learning is possible if the learner produces evidence of having achieved the appropriate outcomes level of knowledge, skill, and competence. Access to the qualification is achievable if the learner can provide formal proof of credits earned towards the outcomes from an accredited service provider.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Full Dissertation NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the capacity to design, conduct and write up research.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of scientific procedures and an ability to cope with research techniques.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of literature related to the research problem.
    4. Write a dissertation that is linguistically, technically and scientifically correct. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Write research proposals to identify a problem or problems in agricultural economics and formulate research problems.
  • Formulate and test hypotheses.
  • Select and utilise research instruments that are relevant in the research problems in agricultural economics and related fields.
  • Conduct fieldwork during the actual investigation, if relevant to the research project.
  • Report the findings of the investigation and formulate recommendations that emanate from the findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and analyse different scientific procedures in terms of the researched problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different authors on the topic.
  • Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies.
  • Create a theoretical framework provided by the literature review.
  • Compile a complete bibliography/list of references.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Write a dissertation that shows that the learners can express themselves clearly.
  • Write a dissertation that is linguistically correct and of an acceptable standard.
  • Write a dissertation that is technically and scientifically acceptable to the examiners.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment procedures are used to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

    Through integrated assessment the learner will be required to demonstrate applied competence using a range of formative and summative assessment methods including assignments, seminars, practical reports and exams, where applicable. Assessment of the dissertation will be particularly important. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to international qualifications. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Master in the field, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Agriculture or related field, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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 Fort Hare 


    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.