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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Governance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111399  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Governance 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Governance is to provide South Africa with Postgraduates who have the ability to use enquiry and innovation to assist and guide the transformation of public sector organisations in order to improve infrastructures and services within a democratic, accountable and responsive public sector environment. The qualification also develops important generic skills, such as observation, problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Governance empowers Postgraduate learners to master comprehensive knowledge and skills pertaining to the public sector environment, which enable them to serve as leaders in their work environment. These learners also develop analytical and research skills related to the fields of public administration, public management, governance and development management studies. The design of the qualification is focused on providing learners with the knowledge and its application, which they need to operate within a governance paradigm in the South African developmental state. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning are subscribed to. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification. RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge the learner already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the learner has to master prior to being accepted for the qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal learning setting. An RPL learner seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, qualifications and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the qualification as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

The minimum entry requirement is:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Public Management, Level 7 or equivalent qualification at Level 7 with an achievement of at least 60%.
    Plus
  • At least two year's relevant work experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises the following compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 144 Credits:
  • Public Policy Analysis, 16 Credits.
  • Public Financial Management, 16 Credits.
  • Public Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
  • Municipal Governance, 16 Credits.
  • Public Performance and Project Management, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 32 Credits.
  • Public Management and Leadership, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate comprehensive and systematic knowledge of aspects of Public Governance at the forefront of developments, which are relevant within the current South African and African context.
    2. Explain the complexities for selecting, applying and transferring procedures and processes to complex, abstract and unfamiliar problems relevant to Public Governance or Management in a particular context.
    3. Creatively solve a research problem under mentorship using evaluated, gathered and synthesised specialised knowledge and processes.
    4. Formulate a personal frame of reference regarding the above-mentioned research problem from the perspective of a chosen value system.
    5. Motivate appropriate research methods and techniques and use them for own research.
    6. Analyse, identify and evaluate a typical public governance question from research literature.
    7. Write a report on the above-mentioned research problem that meets academic and professional requirements.
    8. Communicate the research information to laymen as well as to an academic audience with the use of appropriate media.
    9. Be self-critical of own learning strategies and address personal learning needs as well as the needs and problems of others. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate a systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Demonstrate critical reflection on and understanding and application of appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
  • Demonstrate effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Continuous Formative Assessment strategies in the form of assignments and tests are employed as well as integrated Summative Assessments in the form of formal Examinations and a research report. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual as well as group context may also be employed. Learners are continuously assessed on the application of integrated knowledge and advanced skills in order to assure that they are competent for the work place. Assignments and tests = 33%; Examination = 33%; the research report = 33%. The research report is assessed internally by experts in the field of specialisation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Governance, Level 8 is comparable to similar qualifications in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, with regard to outcomes, assessment, depth and complexity, as well as the notional study hours. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Public Management and Governance, Level 9.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, 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.