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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Development Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111411  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Development Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  People/Human-Centred Development 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-23  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Development Studies is to provide a transition from a general undergraduate discipline into a postgraduate specialisation in Development Studies. It builds the learners' undergraduate training, normally in the Social Sciences, to focus analytical attention on development problems and solutions. The content addresses both theoretical and applied considerations. In preparation for a possible Master's Degree or for employment as development practitioners, it will train learners to conduct independent research and to utilise development frameworks in understanding and addressing development problems.

Rationale:
The challenges of development define many of the central debates in South Africa. The post- apartheid government has implemented a large battery of development initiatives at various scales. While a great deal has been achieved, South Africa remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. The shortage of government and private sector capacity is frequently identified as a key limitation on the success of many development initiatives. A further factor is the treatment of development problems according to separate departmental silos rather than as integrated development challenges. The field of development studies is uniquely placed to offer an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to the challenges of improving the material wellbeing of South Africans and Africans in general.

In light of the pressing development needs of the country as articulated in the National Development Plan (NDP, or Vision 2030), the discipline of Development Studies seeks to produce learners who will be able to interpret, critique and implement the focus areas of the NDP. As such, learners will be able to offer the critically needed skills in numerous national and international public agencies, municipalities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), research organisations and other private sector employers. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Following institution rules and procedures learners can apply for admission based on experience in research and writing on development related issues in exceptional cases where applicants do not have the required NQF entry requirements.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Bachelor of Social Sciences in development Studies, 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, 96 Credits:
  • Development Frameworks, 16 Credits.
  • Economic Concepts and Debates, 16 Credits.
  • South African Development Problems and Policies, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 16 Credits.
  • Research project, 32 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 32 Credits (select two modules):
  • Environment and Development, 16 Credits.
  • Civil Society, 16 Credits.
  • Participatory Video as a Research Method, 16 Credits.
  • Social aspects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (from Populations Studies, Hons), 16 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health in Context (Population Studies, Hons), 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Outline and evaluate major schools of thought that have responded to the nature of global inequality.
    2. Demonstrate a critical application of core theories, key debates, concepts and approaches to development.
    3. Acquire the main 'language' used in various strands of development studies such as economics, environment, civil society, democracy, among others.
    4. Undertake a small independent research project which will expose them to the process of research in development related themes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Clarity of explanations and evaluations.
  • Accuracy of descriptions of global inequality and uneven development.
  • Analyse the effects of global inequality.
  • Provide clear and concise definitions of development.
  • Provide complex explanations of the mechanisms of development.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Show a comprehensive and critical knowledge of the theories, concepts, and approaches and their implications for development work.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Master competence in the language and accents of development studies and practice.
  • Analyse, review and evaluate case studies of historic and current, local, national and international trends, development policy and implementation.
  • Identify and critically engage with selected development policy perspectives and evaluate the impact of these perspectives on changes in natural resource allocation.
  • Assess the roles of different actors in development (such as the state, civil society, international organisations, the private sector, the environment, etc.).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate mastery of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies for the specific research problem.
  • Conduct critical review of pertinent literature.
  • Show evidence of a clear understanding of relevant research theory and practice.
  • Research reports critically and coherently describe theoretical arguments, the research process, methodology, results, conclusions and significance of study. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Development Studies was compared against international qualifications.

    At the University of Auckland in New Zealand, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Development Studies is being offered. For admission learners must have completed the undergraduate Degree (Bachelor of Arts) and completed a major in one of the subjects available for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Hons) in Development Studies.

    The following compulsory modules comprises the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Development Studies:
  • Development Praxis;
  • Theories of International Development.
  • Development Policies and Institutions.
  • Undertaking Development Research.

    Electives:
  • Gender and Development.
  • Independent Research.
  • Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development.
  • Internship in Development.
  • Independent Research.
  • Global Health and Development.

    Also a research module is compulsory.

    At the Dalhousie University in Canada the International Development Studies (Honours) (IDS) is being offered. The minimum standard required for admission to the Honours qualification is a GPA of 3.3 and a B+/A-average in all IDS and IDS-approved courses.

    There are two distinct streams within the IDS Honours qualification, thesis and coursework. For the purposes of comparison, the focus is on the coursework stream.

    Two Core Modules from:
  • Special Topics in International Development Studies.
  • Topics in Cuban Development.
  • Global Poverty and Human Rights: From Development to Global Citizenship.
  • Advanced Seminar in Development.
  • Environmental Conflict and Security.
  • Advanced Seminar in Development Theory.
  • Special Topics in IDS.
  • Gender and Development: Theory, Concepts and Methods.

    The International Development Studies (Honours) does not have a research module.
    The challenge of comparing this Honours qualification to international qualifications is that pure Honours qualifications in Development Studies are rare. Many international institutions that offer Degrees in Development Studies have a two-year Masters qualification and do not offer an Honours qualification. The Honours level is offered in the fourth year of an undergraduate qualification at international institutions. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Policy and Development Studies, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Community Development, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Media and Cultural Studies, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master in Development Studies, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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.