Bachelor of Agricultural Management

To produce graduates who understand economics, finance and business management and who are able to apply their knowledge at farm, agribusiness and policy levels. Agricultural development, marketing and finance are becoming increasingly important and require graduates with broad-based training in agriculture, commerce and social sciences. The qualification emphasises job mobility. The following careers are open to graduates: commercial banks, National Department of Agriculture, farming, agribusiness sector and consulting.

Rules of access and entry requirements for the programme, (learning assumed to be in place prior to entry into the programme):

1. An adequate exposure to physical science or biology
2. An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics
3. Adequate literacy skills in English
4. Continuation in, or access into, programmes at level 7 or above presupposes completion of the exit level requirements at level 6 at the required standard

These can be demonstrated in a number of ways

• Matriculation exemption with at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Mathematics and at least 40% at Higher Grade or at least 60% at Standard Grade for Biology or Physical Science.
• Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Program (SFP).

1. Students who have completed a diploma at an Agricultural College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
2. The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption.

• The student is able to identify and solve agricultural, economic and management problems, demonstrating critical and creative thinking.
• The underlining intention of the programme is assist the student to develop entrepreneurial abilities. The student will also acquire computer literacy and information retrieval skills, which will enhance his/her management skills.

Assessment criteria used are tests, examinations, practicals and tutorials while the student must work six to eight weeks on an approved farm and write an evaluation report showing critical and creative thinking.

Integrated assessment

The University of Natal is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.