SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Administration Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111277  Bachelor of Administration Honours 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
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   2031-06-30  

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 
To ensure that learners gain a consolidated and deepened knowledge with regard to Public Administration and Management to enter this working environment as professionals with a high-level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

Rationale:
The study of Public Administration (and thus the teaching thereof) is considered to be for the purpose of ensuring that the administrative requirements to the delivery of services are understood and applied. The Public sector is furthermore the foremost employer in the country and accommodates an enormous staff contingent. Government in South Africa is divided into three spheres: local, provincial and national. Each sphere's responsibilities are outlined in the Constitution. There are 46 national departments, 9 provincial administrations and 278 municipalities. By the end of March 2010, the Public Service had 1 272 311 people in its employ (including members of the South African National Defence Force). Within the developmental state context, the teaching of Public Administration and Management is not only concerned with ensuring the transfer of discipline-specific knowledge, but also with the minimum skills and competencies required for a public servant to function effectively and efficiently in any public-service department. The reality is that the acceptance of Public Administration as a professional Degree requires a body of knowledge enhanced through scientific investigation based in the understanding of a particular theoretical framework. The citizen of South Africa are entitled to effective and efficient service delivery that is provided by a diligent, loyal and effective public sector. Ideally, Public Administration Education is meant to have a positive impact on the daily lives of citizen by providing direction and capacity toward transforming the public sector through devoted public-service delivery. New entrants into this occupational category should thus provide answers to present-day administrative challenges. Consequently, the elements of public and service delivery render the teaching of Public Administration and Management. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the programme. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Administration, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.
  • Municipal Management, 16 Credits.
  • Public Financial Administration and Management, 16 Credits.
  • Public Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
  • Organisational Analysis and Intergovernmental Relations, 16 Credits.
  • Public Policy and Service Delivery, 16 Credits.
  • Research and Research Methodology in Public Administration, 32 Credits.
  • Executive Public Management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge regarding the origin and development of Public Administration and Management.
    2. Evaluate the organising and functioning of the public sector.
    3. Comprehend the nature of human resource management and its related human-resource functional activities within the public sector.
    4. Monitor and evaluate the success of programmes and projects in the public sector.
    5. Perform supply-chain management functions effectively in the public sector.
    6. Display in-depth insight into the key contemporary local-government management issues in a South African context.
    7. Manage financial activities, parameters for sound financial management and guidelines issued by National Treasury.
    8. Take decisions comprehended by legislative and law, related public administration and management issues in a South African context.
    9. Analyse the nature and role of public policy administration and management in the South African context.
    10. Apply basic calculation practices applicable to the field of public administration and management. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Determine whether learners fulfil the requirements with regard to a deepened and consolidated knowledge and skills set as required within the business environment.
  • Focus on the acquisition of research and information management skills, including the communication of information in an academic and professional manner.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment strategy of the Department of Public Administration and Management uses an integrated approach of alternative and traditional sources of learner assessment. It provides for a constructivist classroom where learners have a choice about which tasks they complete and which tasks are evaluated. Formative and Summative Assessment weighting range between 40 and 60% in the different modules, depending on the nature and exit level outcomes for the respective modules. 
    		•

    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 Administration Honours in Development Studies, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Municipal Administration, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Administration, 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.
     
    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.