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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110832  Bachelor of Arts 
ORIGINATOR
University of Mpumalanga 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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 Bachelor of Arts (BA) is to provide learners with an opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of the social world in which they live; an opportunity to engage critically with histories, politics and cultures; and an opportunity to further develop linguistic competencies. Qualifying learners will be socially aware agents of change, and this general BA will achieve this goal.

The curriculum provides a firm grounding in first year in social studies (which includes Sociology and Anthropology), History, Psychology and Industrial psychology, and one or two Languages, which may be chosen from English, SiSwati and isiNdebele. In second year a number of two-year major subjects are added to allow learners to shape this degree to suit their interests and ability. These include Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Anthropology and Heritage Studies. It is expected that additional subjects, including additional languages, will be added as the institution grows, and appropriate applications will be submitted. The inclusion of both psychology and industrial psychology is to allow learners to complete the required modules so that they can continue with a career in this area.

Rationale:
The qualification design, which allows the learners to select subject combinations in all years, allows learners to shape the curriculum to meet their particular interests. The subjects offered are influenced by context, rich history, culture and heritage, which will be the focus of subjects such as history, anthropology and heritage studies.

Qualifying learners will be able to work for governmental and non-governmental organisations in a range of areas depending on their selected major subjects. Learners who take both psychology and industrial psychology may be able to follow psychology as a career. Many of the learners will continue into Honours and further Postgraduate Studies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the institution accepts the challenge to assess prior learning that is aligned to qualifications and award credit (through Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT)) to promote lifelong learning. The purpose of the institution's RPL and CAT policy, is to recognise prior learning in order to provide for admission to qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules using the principles and processes that serve as basis for RPL practices.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 granting access to bachelor studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Diploma in an appropriate field, Level 6, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level totalling 360 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:
  • Social Studies 1, 30 Credits.
  • History 1, 30 Credits.
  • Psychology 1, 30 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology 1, 30 Credits.
  • Language/s 1, 30 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits:
  • Anthropology 2, 40 Credits.
  • Sociology 2, 40 Credits.
  • Politics 2, 40 Credits.
  • Philosophy 2, 40 Credits.
  • Heritage Studies 2, 40 Credits.
  • History 2, 40 Credits.
  • Psychology 2, 40 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology 2, 40 Credits.
  • Language/s 2, 40 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Anthropology 3, 60 Credits.
  • Sociology 3, 60 Credits.
  • Politics 3, 60 Credits.
  • Philosophy 3, 60 Credits.
  • Heritage Studies 3, 60 Credits.
  • History 3, 60 Credits.
  • Psychology 3, 60 Credits.
  • Industrial Psychology 3, 60 Credits.
  • Language/s 3, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understanding of the theories and principles that underpin their two major subjects and of the social sciences in general.
    2. Understand the contested nature of knowledge within the social sciences and that knowledge advances through research, test and challenge dogma and become familiar with the academic literacies and discourses of the humanities.
    3. Identify problems and select an appropriate research method from a range of methods, collecting and analyzing data and in scientific communication.
    4. Incorporate and consider ethical implications of the research and respond accordingly.
    5. Collect and collate information from a range of sources, the management of that information, and the communication of the results in spoken and written forms.
    6. Ability to work in familiar and unfamiliar contexts and experience and apply knowledge in varying contexts.
    7. Work independently and take responsibility for their learning and development.
    8. Take responsibility for and be accountable for their contribution. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Knowledge and understanding in the field of specialisation is demonstrated through independent research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate an increasing familiarity with academic discourse in the humanities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Formulate research questions, select appropriate methodologies, collect, analyze and synthesize data, and present data in written and verbal form.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Ethical considerations are demonstrated fully through research reports.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Available qualitative and quantitative tools for data analysis are compared and used appropriately to address the question.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Explain and describe how contexts differ and how they have developed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a group or teams.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment serves multiple purposes including allowing staff and learners to monitor learners' progress, and determining the extent to which the learners are achieving the stated outcomes.

    Assessment will be integrated into the curriculum and will include a balance of formative and summative tools. In first year, testing will be regular and learners encouraged to understand that this is a tool by which they should judge their own progress. First tests will be scheduled early enough in the term to allow staff to identify at risk learners.

    Essays and assignments will be used throughout the three years with increasing emphasis in years two and three, to provide opportunities to continue to develop and monitor the development of their writing skills.

    The third year research projects will be assessed through an oral seminar presentation and final written report. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The general Bachelor of Arts (BA) is essentially the same as many others offered across the world. Equally it differs in subjects offered from many others and this can often be explained in terms of context. The concept of providing limited choice in first year and expanding the choice in second and third year is common to Birmingham and Warwick Universities. The focus at Birmingham University is international politics and this will be available to students for this qualification. The New College of the Humanities in London offers a wide range of electives including geography and law that are not yet provided in this qualification. The NCH encourages learners to select modules to meet their particular interests and this is the basic approach that is being adopted at UMP. At the Open University the same approach is evident and learners select from modules including art history, classical studies, creative writing, English language and English literature, history, modern languages, music, philosophy and religious studies. The range of modules is regularly reviewed and new electives added. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Development Studies, Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.