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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Public Nutrition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96564  Master of Science in Public Nutrition 
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
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
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 qualification encourages advanced intellectual achievement on the form of productive scholarship and research. The candidate who is already a health professional functions through a multisectorial, interdisciplinary, collaborative and participatory approach in solving problems of health, food and nutrition in the community and/or public.

Rationale:
The Master of Science in Public Nutrition will offer opportunities to address problems specific to Limpopo Province in the area of nutrition and health. Limpopo Province is predominantly rural and have high rate of malnutrition (23% of children under five are stunted according to National food consumption survey fortification baseline, 2005) with high levels of unemployment and poverty, particularly amongst women. The researches to be conducted in the area such as maternal and child nutrition will contribute greatly in solving regional and national problems. The qualification will also contribute improving research output as well as capacity building for the institution. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to this Masters' Degree could be granted to candidates not in possession of a relevant 4-year qualification or Honour Degree but who met the admission requirements through the Recognition of Prior Learning, at the discretion of the institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Entry Requirements:
  • 4-year tertiary qualification in Health, Natural or Agricultural Sciences.
    Or
  • 3-year tertiary qualification plus Honours Degree.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours (Community Nutrition) may be taken as bridging course if necessary. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The candidate must accumulate 180 Credits in research modules (Research in Human Nutrition - RRN 6741) in 24 months/2 year or maximum 4 years. The Master Degree will be awarded on production and submission of an original dissertation that has been assessed by relevant peers. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan and write a research proposal.
    2. Communicate effective using oral, written and electronic medium.
    3. Access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
    4. Develop, design and implement a research project. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Write a research proposal for implementation.
  • Describe the different research methods and techniques as they apply to Human nutrition.
  • Critic appraisal of recent literature on nutrition related topics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Present a scientific review article with current issues on human nutrition and health using oral, written and as poster communication skills.
  • Demonstrate applied research skills during data collection.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Conduct a critical analysis of nutrition research results and how it relates to good health.
  • Write a scientific article for publication in an accredited journal.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Implement a research project by collecting data.
  • Write a research dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    For this qualification, only summative assessment of the end product, which is dissertation, will apply, whereby the examiners grade dissertation in accordance with assessment criteria set for the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Master qualification is comparable to other Master qualifications around the world (United States of America, Canada) with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, degree of difficulty and notional learning time. The standard is assured, among other things, by a requirement for assessment by external examiners who hold a university academic position, and where at least two are based outside of South Africa. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities. The qualification articulates horizontally with other Master Degree. The qualification articulates vertically to Doctoral studies in related field. 

    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 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.