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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110248  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Relations 
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
2028-06-30   2034-06-30  

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 purpose of the Honours in Industrial Relations programme is to broaden the learners' human resource management knowledge within a business framework so as to develop a thorough understanding of Industrial Relations theory as well as the skills necessary to apply the theory.

Rationale:
The qualification will prepare learners for entry into, or development of existing careers in Industrial Relations in the private and public sectors. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules 1, Level 8, 48 Credits:
  • Industrial Relations/Employ Relations Research Paper, 32 Credits.
  • Research Methodology in Human Resources Management, 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules 1, Level 8, 80 Credits (Choose five):
  • Dispute Resolution, 16 Credits.
  • Planning and Strategy, 16 Credits.
  • Career Management, 16 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
  • Organisational Behaviour, 16 Credits.
  • Special Topics in Employment Relations, 16 Credits.
  • Leadership and Change Management, 16 Credits.
  • Employment Law 1, 16 Credits.
  • Employment Relations, 16 Credits.
  • Training and Development Strategies, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate in writing their understanding of Industrial Relations (IR) theories and principles.
    2. Demonstrate their ability to apply IR theory in practice.
    3. Identify and diagnose IR problems in both real and hypothetical organisations.
    4. Collect, analyse, and report on IR information gathered from organisations in order to develop solutions to problems.
    5. Develop practical solutions.
    6. Make recommendations based on their findings and conclusions.
    7. Participate in group work and members of the group must work together to develop a solution to problems identified. Write reports that will require group development of solutions to management problems involving various organisational stakeholders.
    8. Make verbal presentations on the outcomes of individual and group work. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Understand concepts, theories and principles.
  • Use critical reasoning.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Utilise appropriate techniques/methodologies for the effective presentation of an argument.
  • Demonstrate concern for others, especially in multi-cultural groups.
  • Think creatively and utilise critical reasoning to place data and information in context.
  • Demonstrate planning and organisational skills.
  • Demonstrate ability to work with others in groups or through networking.
  • Demonstrate creativity and originality in the selection and treatment of a research topic of his/her own choice.
  • Assess the Degree to which the learner understands the concepts of ethical practice and concern for others in the research context.
  • Assess the Degree to which the learner can think holistically and integrate the learning experiences of all the modules in the programme as it relates to the topic chosen.
  • Evaluate the level of self-motivation, independence and self-reliance of the student.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Each module will be assessed through an integrated individual written assignment, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give learners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final module assignment requires students to apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas.
    The practitioner research project assesses the ability of learner to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Labour Relations and Human Resources, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Level 9.
  • Master of Commerce in Labour Relations Management, 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.