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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Agriculture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96773  Master of Agriculture 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0339/26  2026-04-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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
65376  Master of Technology: Agriculture  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Agriculture equips learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and values in agriculture to pursue a career in the Agricultural Sector and related fields. Learners will be equipped to function in the middle to senior executive echelons. The research qualification enables learners to become specialists in Agriculture by gaining in-depth, abstract knowledge in a complex area of study.

Learners can exercise executive management functions that are of strategic importance to the successful functioning of the agricultural industry. Learners can demonstrate specialised leadership, self-reflexivity and adaptability and play an innovative role as leaders in the public sector. The qualification further provides South Africa with learners who can synthesise information autonomously in specialised fields of study to agricultural sector leaders. Learners can handle contradictions and evaluate complex problems independently. The qualification is a research-based and involves writing a dissertation with guidance from a supervisor(s), setting a hypothesis or research question and testing or answering, respectively. Learner is equipped for further independent research for qualification on a doctorate level.

The qualification will enable learners to reflect critically on theory in the field of study and its application in the public sector. Learners can:
  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
  • Design and critically appraise research.
  • Make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal.
  • Communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audience.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
  • Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning and continue to advance their knowledge and skills within the public sector context.

    Rationale:
    The rationale of this qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The qualification by dissertation focuses on a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation.

    The qualification will produce learners who can operate on all three government spheres in South Africa as specialists. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Recognition of prior learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements is per the institutional policy and guidelines. It concerns the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-Level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, learners can gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this institution.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor Honours in Agriculture or relevant qualification, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Be familiar with leading issues in their specialist field of study.
    2. Interpret the techniques of statistical and formal logical analysis to a range of problems in the above fields.
    3. Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
    4. Prepare professional papers for peer review.
    5. Write research and funding proposals.
    6. Provide technical reports to professional audiences, including governments and industry. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria:
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Construct a comprehensive bibliography relating to a particular area of study and demonstrate mastery of the arguments and evidence presented therein.
  • Participate and assist in academic research projects.
  • Demonstrate the ability to explain and apply scientific and scholarly methods.
  • Gather and evaluate empirical data.
  • Replicate research results obtained by others.
  • Identify flawed reasoning and lack of rigour in the work of peers.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Subject to the approval of Senate or the Executive Committee of the Faculty Board, the faculty can appoint any suitably qualified person as a supervisor of an admitted learner. However, if the supervisor is not in the full-time employment of the institution, a co-supervisor can be appointed to assist the supervisor. The assessment panel for Masters' qualifications is composed as follows:
  • Supervisor;
  • Co-supervisor(s) if appointed;
  • Two external examiners/assessors.

    The responsibilities of the assessment panel include assessing:
  • The evidence of the learning achievements of the learner against the required competency and autonomous learning outcomes for the qualification;
  • The credibility of the evidence provided; and
  • The degree with which the learner complies with the requirements for the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Internationally the qualification covers an integrated discipline within animal production, plant production, soil science, agricultural economics and extension disciplines. The qualification is in line with other Master's qualifications offered internationally by other institutions.

    Learners learn to conduct, apply and report their research findings in the form of a dissertation, present at a local conference and publish findings in an accredited scientific journal. The entry and as well as the exit requirement are within the national and international norms and standards. On completion, learners master the art of developing new knowledge within the field of agriculture.

    Ultimately, in future, learners can develop new strategies and policies that meet community expectation on issues of animal welfare, biosecurity concerns, skills shortages and competition for limited resources. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Agricultural Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Agriculture, 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. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    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.