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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101109  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
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
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 Bachelor of Arts Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication is to provide learners with a theoretical knowledge of the nature of communication, as it exists in the context of the organisation. Learners will demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the strategic role of communication; knowledge of the fields that exist in the study and practice of communication in the context of the organisation; a knowledge of the benefits of integrating the communication of an organisation and the ability to practice techniques of integration.

This qualification will equip learners with innovativeness, problem-solving competencies, and the ability to operate in multidisciplinary teams designed to manage organisational communication matters.

Rationale:
The qualification is best categorised, following international practice, as "Integrated" as it takes an integrated view of the broad discipline. It recognises the existence and interdependence of all organisational communication, internal and external; and it recognises the validity of all fields that address the communication phenomenon in the context of the organisation, including the often-overlapping fields of advertising, public relations, business communication, general marketing communication and corporate communication.

The design of the qualification is such that it offers semi-advanced research training in areas of integrated organisational communication. The qualification also aims to provide South Africa and the rest of the world with significant number of candidates that are ready to pursue advance postgraduate degrees in the areas of communication. In its nature, the qualification is broad as it encompasses marketing communication, business communication, public relations, advertising and corporate communication. Qualifying learners are thus trained in all areas that pertain to integrated organisational communication. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The RPL procedures manual for the institution governs and guides the RPL strategy of the implementation of the RPL policy in the college of Human Science. The RPL procedures are implemented for the purposes of providing alternative admission routes into formal qualifications for learners who do not meet the statutory admission requirements, granting of subject credits towards a Unisa qualification or can be used as a career development tool. Recognition of Prior Learning at the institution serves a social justice function based on the premise that people learn both inside and outside formal learning structures and that this learning can be worthy of recognition and credit.

RPL application and pre-assessment phase:
In this phase, learners would apply for admission into an undergraduate qualification and consult with the institutional counselling department for guidance on the chosen qualification as well as the RPL processes. Pre-screening of the RPL application for completeness would commence. Once applications have been deemed viable, learners will be informed and taken through the portfolio development workshop before the assessment processes commence.

Assessment phase:
In this phase, the learner would complete their portfolio and submit evidence to be assessed for RPL recognition. The submission by the candidate would then be assessed, a report on the submission will be compiled and finalised before it is sent for verification and ratification at the Executive Dean's office. Once verified, the learner will be notified of the outcome.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor's Degree in the Communication Science, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Compulsory Modules:
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 96 Modules:
  • Organisational Communication Research, 12 Credits.
  • Organisational Communication Theory, 24 Credits.
  • Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, 24 Credits.
  • Advanced Research Report, 36 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8, 24 Credits:
  • Integrated Communication and the Organisation, 24 Credits.
  • Decoloniality: Africana Thought, Discourse and Critique, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, analyse, formulate and solve convergent and divergent problems and issues related to the natural environment.
    2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community, and contribute to the group output in tasks within the field of environmental management.
    3. Manage and organise activities and life responsibly and effectively.
    4. Communicate effectively, critically solve problems and possess the necessary oral, written and presentation skills that are required in the integrated organisation environment.
    5. 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 their responsibilities to those locally and the broader community. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify, analyse and solve complex and advanced abstract problems by drawing on own experience and theoretical knowledge and on the experiential base of a single discipline or across interdisciplinary lines in the humanities.
  • Use knowledge and experience to offer informed suggestions, or to generate alternative strategies, for dealing with problems at a community, national, international and global level.
  • Solve problems by generating alternative strategies for dealing with those problems.
  • Critically evaluate various theoretical standpoints and compare them to their own views.
  • Offer evidence in a variety of ways to support their stated views.
  • Analyse the global, national and local community in terms of problems, needs and opportunities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use and propagate 'people skills' (tolerance, empathy, listening skills, etc.) in-group situations.
  • Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
  • Demonstrate tolerance of diversity through (written and/or oral) reporting without bias.
  • Undertake projects of a theoretical and/or practical nature to provide evidence of successful interaction with other.
  • Use advanced communication skills within the group.
  • Act as supportive followers and group participants.
  • Organise themselves and others into effective working groups.
  • Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through (written and/or oral) reporting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate the requisite theoretical skills and learning strategies.
  • Organise their study plans and engage in effective time management.
  • Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational strategies.
  • Evolve strategies best suited to their personal situations and contexts.
  • Think independently, and offer sustained theoretical evidence to support their decisions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Communicate ideas logically and provide supporting evidence in a sustained manner.
  • Evaluate conclusions and premises in academic arguments and produce sound arguments.
  • Analyse, evaluate and critique the ideas of others.
  • Use appropriate models of organisation and presentation as required in the relevant discipline.
  • Use language competently, showing awareness of written (and/or oral) conventions relevant to the discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate prior knowledge and experience, as it is relevant to their discipline.
  • Connect the abstract knowledge of theory to the reality of their individual contexts.
  • Draw upon prior knowledge (personal and abstract) and personal experience as appropriate when investigating and analysing the world around them.
  • Look beyond and across traditional disciplinary boundaries for possible solutions.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will be assessed in terms of their ability to complete assignments which provide evidence of their understanding and ability to:
  • Describe and interpret integrated organisation communication questions/issues with their own examples and against the background of their theoretical knowledge of integrated organisational communication issues.
  • Critically evaluate and compare various viewpoints on integrated organisational communication, also with their own views.
  • Communicate their ideas logically and provide supporting evidence.

    In terms of the assessment structure, the formative assessment and summative assessment contributions vary as per arrangement on each module. For instance, three modules are designed in the following formats - formative assessment counts 25% whilst summative assessment counts 75%. In terms of one module assessment structure, formative assessment contributes 40% whilst summative assessment contributes 60% of the total mark. The formative assignments/assessments are written assignments whilst the summative assessments are also written portfolio submissions. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification can be compared to qualifications offered at University Technology of Sydney (UTS). The UTS Bachelor of Communication (Honours) learners the opportunity to pursue advanced-level study in communication, social sciences, cultural studies and creative arts. It prepares learners for higher degree research and professional activity. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches and the integration of scholarship with contemporary issues in society. An honours Degree in communication provides an excellent opportunity for learners to develop their creative practice, research and communication skills. This qualification is therefore similar to the South African qualification it also offers learners with the opportunity for advanced study in subject matters that are related to integrated organisational communication. The South African also places emphasis on interdisciplinary with learners borrowing from a number of fields including marketing, public relations management and internal or external communications.

    The Bachelor of Communication honours from Deakin University in Australia compares with the South African qualification. This qualification compares as it is also an NQF Level 8 Degree that gives learners opportunities to pursue careers in media and communication. The key comparable element in both qualifications is the advanced research component that is embedded in the qualifications. Advanced research modules form part of the core fundamental modules in order to train students to deepen their research skills. The module ACO410 (Communication research methods) which is included in the curriculum of Deakin University's offering is comparable to COM4806 (organisational communication) as both modules exposes students to the research process including theoretical frameworks to inform research design, sampling procedures, data collection and analysis techniques applicable in communication research. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Media Studies, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Intercultural Communication, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Communication Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in Journalism, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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.