Vaal University of Technology

Advanced Diploma in Food Service Management

Services - Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure

Purpose and Rationale

Qualification: Advanced Diploma in Food Service Management

Purpose:

The purpose of this qualification is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills, and competence for the learner's further learning towards becoming capable employees in both the food and nutrition field and entrepreneurial hospitality-related enterprises. A qualified learner will demonstrate competence in using advanced managerial skills and problem-solving in both existing and entrepreneurial hospitality ventures and the community at large. The qualification will provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to focus on research in the field of Food Service Management.

Rationale:

The South African Hospitality and Tourism industry, especially the hospitality sector, demonstrates continued growth and a clear demand for well-qualified staff within the corporate and entrepreneurial sub-sector, specifically in the field of Food Service Management. The core of the qualification revolves around the development of potential managers with sound operational backgrounds and specialized skills specifically in the industries that fall under the Food Service Management sector, such as hospitals, private hostels, and government catering establishments. Through consultation with other universities offering similar qualifications and advisory board meetings, stakeholders from the industry have suggested that a 'gap' currently exists and should be addressed by training students in this field. To close the gap, students should be exposed to doing research in the specific field.

This range of typical students will be in possession of a Level 6 Diploma who can articulate from a relevant Diploma or Bachelor's Degree, including both cross-border and international students. The Bachelor of Technology qualification at the University of Technology will be phased out and replaced by new qualifications. The Advanced Diploma is imperative for progression and articulation purposes. The student can articulate from the Advanced Diploma in Food Service Management to the Postgraduate Diploma in Food Service Management. The Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Food Service Management will be phased out. The Advanced Diploma in Food Service Management is a new qualification at Level 7. The changes aim to bring the Advanced Diploma in Food Service Management in line with the criteria of the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF). A discipline-based approach has been used, and there is a strong relationship between subjects in the curriculum and the sequencing and progression of skills and competencies. The growing food and nutrition industry demonstrates a clear demand for well-qualified staff. Students will gain skills, knowledge, and competencies that they can apply in the socioeconomic structure of the broader South Africa.

Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate competence in using managerial, strategic and operational planning skills and competencies, applying research principles and procedures in the Food Service Management sector.
  2. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and apply the nutrition and scientific knowledge applicable to advanced menu planning.
  3. Apply business management skills to contribute to effective decision making, management and problem solving.
  4. Effectively use the various modes of communicating, including information technology to promote the food and beverage industry in a changing environment.
  5. Effectively use the various modes of communicating, including information technology to promote the food and beverage industry in a changing environment.
  6. Apply a range of financial management principles on an advanced level to effectively ensure the sustainability of food and nutrition enterprises in the Food Service Management sector.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria:

  • Strategies in the food and beverage industry:

    • Formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies
    • Demonstrate competencies in planning and managing industry-related projects
  • Research methodology principles:

    • Apply research methodology in proposal writing
    • Collect, analyze, organize, and critically evaluate research information
  • Nutrition strategies:

    • Formulate, implement, and evaluate nutrition strategies
    • Plan and manage nutrition-related projects
  • Menu planning and food and beverage operations:

    • Apply practices of specialized menu planning
    • Apply food and nutrition content in practice
    • Handle operational procedures in a food service unit
  • Culinary studies:

    • Apply components related to advanced culinary studies
    • Plan, organize, and manage culinary operations
  • Financial management:

    • Apply financial management principles for sustainability of food and nutrition enterprises
  • Training material development:

    • Develop and communicate training material effectively using visual and/or language skills

Integrated Assessment:

Assessment in accordance with the institution's policy, based on module outcomes and assessment criteria.

Formative and Summative Assessment:

  • Formative Assessment:
    • Tests, assignments, oral presentations, case studies, debates, online activities
  • Summative Assessment:
    • Formal examination or Continuous Assessment (CASS), portfolio of evidence

Re-assessment Opportunities:

  • Rewrites accepted until modularization and CASS Policy are fully implemented
  • Supplementary assessments scheduled soon after main assessment
  • Re-assessment as the final opportunity
  • Additional assessment for special circumstances with written permission and supporting documents

This comprehensive assessment framework ensures that students are evaluated on a wide range of competencies essential for success in the food service management sector.

Qualification Details

Type
Advanced Diploma
NQF Level
07
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
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Vaal University of Technology
Description
Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is a public university located in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. It was established in 2004 and is one of the largest universities of technology in the country. VUT offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields including engineering, applied and computer sciences, management sciences, human sciences, and arts and design. The university focuses on providing practical and industry-relevant education to its students, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and work-integrated learning opportunities. VUT is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, research centers, and partnerships with industry and community organizations.

This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.