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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101081  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Islamic Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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
5353  Bachelor of Arts Honours  Level 7  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) graduates with systematic knowledge, specialised skills and theoretical competence focusing on or within a particular discipline or within an interdisciplinary framework to prepare them for specialist training at an advanced level.

A second purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates who have in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and define complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within unfamiliar contexts.

A third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can demonstrate thorough familiarity with a particular discipline or interdisciplinary framework and have the ability to perform independently as intellectual leaders in their society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification recognises:
Formal prior learning:
  • Students need a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree to register for the Hons BA.
  • Students' prior accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units is recognised.

    Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
  • Students will be given RPL for individual modules if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for that module.
  • They may also be awarded blocks of credits towards elective modules. A policy is currently being drawn up.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement is:
  • An appropriate Bachelor's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Qur'anic Sciences, 24 Credits.
  • Research Report, 36 Credits.
  • Hadith Literature and Criticism, 24 Credits.
  • Contemporary Islam, 24 Credits.
  • Research Methodology and Religious Hermeneutics, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural and human environments.
    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community.
    3. Manage and organise own activities and life responsibly and effectively, including own studies within the open and distance learning context.
    4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, as required.
    5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and for written presentation, often in pieces of sustained discourse.
    6. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well-being of others, in community, national and global context.
    7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging own responsibilities to those in the local and broader community. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Explain methods of assessing trends in contemporary Quranic sciences.
  • Explain the interaction between Quranic sciences and current human sciences.
  • Explain the methodological tools developed and used in Quranic sciences.
  • Display a firm understanding of Hadith literature and criticism.
  • Display a firm understanding of methods of assessing specialized literature pertaining to Hadith literature and criticism.
  • Demonstrate insights into Muslim and Western approaches to research within Hadith literature and criticism.
  • Display a firm understanding of meta-textual issues like the criteria for authenticating Prophetic literature.
  • Show evidence of a strong understanding of either Shariah and Islamic jurisprudence; Philosophy, theology and mysticism; or Islam and the state in the Horn of Africa.
  • Plan and execute a research strategy appropriate to the discipline.
  • Produce an article-sized work of original research within the boundaries of the discipline.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Summative Assessment takes place by means of a written exam at the end of the year. The mark acquired during the exam counts 80% towards the year mark.
  • The research article requires the student to do extensive research. Formative Assessment takes place during the year based on two draft papers, which counts 20% towards the year mark. Summative Assessment takes place when the completed research article is submitted and the mark counts 80% towards the year mark.
  • The assignments are assessed by an internal examiner. The exams and research article are assessed by two internal moderators and an external examiner. Assessment results are captured according to Unisa policies and procedures to ensure validity and reliability.
  • The assessment types are designed test research skills, knowledge, and competence through a range of different tasks that meet national and international standards of excellence in research design and execution.
  • Formative Assessment is done by means of activities in study guides, self-assessment questions in study guides and self-assessment assignments as well as written assignments that have to be submitted for assessment. The assignments are either in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short questions, essays or a combination. The marks obtained for these assignments contribute a minimum of 20% towards the final mark for the module. The remaining mark is made up of the examination mark.
  • Feedback on activities and self-assessment questions are provided in study guides and tutorial letters. Individual feedback on assignments is provided by assessors in marked assignments while general feedback on these assignments is provided in tutorial letters. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • University of South Africa (UNISA) forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly; for example, UNISA's qualifications are accredited in the International Handbook of Universities and in the Commonwealth Universities' Yearbook. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Upon completion of the Honours Bachelor of Arts (Hons BA) Learners may proceed to postgraduate study at Master of Arts (M.A.) Level. 
    		•

    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 South Africa 


    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.