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 Arts Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115164  Bachelor of Arts Honours 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
The individual Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary for each Learning Programme recorded against this qualification is shown in the table at the end of this report.  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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  2021-07-01  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 qualification provides the learners with knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of Communication Studies and Language, Human and Social Studies, Culture and Arts, Business, Commerce, and Management Studies, Education, Training and Development, and Health Sciences and Social Services that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society. The qualification represents planned learning outcomes, namely that the learner will be qualified to render holistic, integrated and inter-sectoral services, reflecting the diversity, accessibility, and equal distribution of resources for all South Africans. These outcomes are designed to promote lifelong learning.

Learners will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provides opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Rationale:
The qualification will provide South Africa with significant numbers of learners in several social sciences to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened.

Furthermore, the qualification will provide South Africa with a cadre of:
  • Social analysts.
  • Researchers.
  • Facilitators.
  • Developers.
  • Managers.
  • Service providers.
  • Experts in the field of Humanities.

    These learners will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress of social sciences before acquiring specific postgraduate qualifications.

    This qualification prepares learners for a Masters' qualification in a specialist field. In general, the purpose of this qualification complies with the overall purpose of the qualification for which it serves as a prerequisite or for which it serves as an entry point, i.e. all Masters' qualifications in the Faculty of Arts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The University's Report of the Admissions Committee (AC): Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be applied where relevant.

    Both admission and module credits may be granted through the RPL process.

    RPL for Admission:
    RPL implementation will use a triangulated verification approach using academic records, portfolios and interviews conducted by a panel of academic and external experts. All RPL decisions are tabled at the Faculty Management Committee meeting for scrutiny and approval.

    Learners who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL. The Faculty policy, derived from the institutional RPL policy, requires that each learner be assessed on an individual basis. The learner will approach the Head of Department regarding the RPL policy and process. The HOD will explain the RPL assessment process, the specific assessment criteria and the type and format of evidence(s) required. Learners who qualify to pursue this option will complete the standard application form upon which the HOD will nominate an assessor to be approved by the FMC.

    Learners must provide a portfolio containing sufficient evidence of written material, produced independently.

    This material must meet with the following academic criteria at NQF Level 7 and NQF 8 for module credits. The material must:
  • Indicate adequate knowledge and comprehension of the fundamental principles of IT;
  • Demonstrate the ability to gather and collate multiple sources of information and competing perspectives to support a theoretical understanding of relevant issues;
  • Involve the application of discipline-based knowledge to the analysis of practical and conceptual problems.

    Assessment of the learner's application will involve the following steps:
  • The learner must submit a portfolio containing evidence of all of the above.
  • The internal assessor will assess the learner's portfolio and the outcome of the RPL process, including written reports by the assessor and a recommendation, will be submitted to the HOD.
  • The final decision regarding the RPL status of the learner will be presented to the FMC. The FMC Secretary will communicate the FMC decision to the Faculty Officer, who in turn will communicate the outcome to the learner.

    RPL for Credits:
    For learners who have already qualified with a cognate qualification and have done modules in their qualification within the Postgraduate Diploma may apply for the module/s to be credited. The learner will complete a Request for Module Credits form and must supply the curriculum of the module/s within their completed qualification. The outcome will be communicated to the learner.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to achieve major skills.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the embedded knowledge that underpins the result/outcome.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to integrate or connect performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.
    4. Construct the discursive foundations of an independent perspective on the discourse, artefacts, actions and institutions in a special field of learning.
    5. Apply this frame of knowledge in exploring and gaining critical insight into cultural and social issues.
    6. Contribute to the understanding and solution of cultural and social systems and problems.
    7. Demonstrate rudimentary research capabilities.
    8. Develop report-writing capabilities.
    9. Critically read texts on specialised topics.
    10. Survey critical debates in the literature, evaluate current theoretical frames and confront dominant ideologies in selected fields of learning.
    11. Explore sub-disciplines, special areas and unique cases in a field of learning; verbalise the disciplinary discourses.
    12. Master specialised research procedure for accessing relevant information, analysing data, and interpreting cases and contextualising problems. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Competence is achieved through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the qualification:
  • Module course mark.
  • Assignments.
  • Projects.
  • Examinations.

    This will be supported by a module credit system, followed by a final exam on the modules for which credit was not obtained.

    Assessments are:
  • To include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
  • To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.

    Four to five three-hour written examinations paper.

    Three to four three-hour written examination papers and a minor research project or a minor dissertation.

    Certain disciplines have the option of an oral examination in one of the examination papers. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: Australia.
  • Institution: University of Sydney.
  • Qualification Title: Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

    The Bachelor of Arts Honours is over a year. The qualification prepares learners for Postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate Degree. Honours can be the culmination of the formal education, an experience that extends the learners intellectual range, hones their research abilities, as well as analytical and communication techniques, and helps learners to develop the personal and professional skills needed to see a research project to completion.
    Honours can also be the first step on a path to a career as an academic or professional researcher. The Honours year comprises seminar classes and works toward a short thesis on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is an expert in the field of the research.
    Both the Bachelor of Arts Honours and the Australian qualification is a one-year Postgraduate Degree.
  • Country: United Kingdom.
  • Institution: Open University.
  • Qualification Title: BA/BSc (Honours) Open degree.

    The BA/BSc (Honours) Open Degree allows learners to select modules from across the curriculum so that the learning outcomes of their Degree will depend on a combination of outcomes from the modules they have studied. These will be described retrospectively in an academic transcript. Learners will develop and demonstrate generic outcomes, including knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas.
  • A systematic and, where appropriate, comparative knowledge and understanding in at least one subject/discipline.
  • A detailed knowledge of one or more specialisms and developments, some of which is at, or informed by current thinking in one or more subject/discipline.
  • Substantial knowledge and critical understanding of the established concepts, theories and principles in one or more subject/discipline, together with an appreciation of key emerging issues.
  • The ability to recognise the potential uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge in one or more subject/discipline.
  • Skills in identifying relevant qualitative and/or quantitative information from a wide range of evaluated sources, including current research, scholarly, and or professional literature as appropriate.
  • Skills in the systematic gathering, evaluation, critical analysis and interpretation of ideas and concepts to one or more subject/discipline, whilst being aware of the limitations of techniques and your knowledge.
  • An ability to apply a conceptual understanding of one or more subject/discipline(s) to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using examples and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of the subject/discipline.
  • A knowledge of, familiarity with and ability to, deploy essential and advanced subject-related materials, as appropriate, in addition to established techniques of analysis and enquiry, including some at the forefront of at least one subject/discipline.
  • An ability to apply the methods and techniques that you have learned to review, consolidate, extend your knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects, as appropriate.
  • An ability to learn from feedback and reflect on the experience to review progress, develop career/personal plans and seek ways of improving performance as an independent learner.
  • An ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate your own learning and performance, being aware of your own learning styles, strengths and needs, as required for studying one or more subject/discipline.
  • Frame and address problems, questions and issues, being aware of the environment and context in which the problem exists.
  • Accurately and effectively communicate, formally and informally, information about specialised topics to informed audiences using the full repertoire of the principal concepts and constructs in one or more subject/discipline.
  • Confidently use a range of digital practices (including tools and resources) to find, use, create and share data, information and knowledge as appropriate to one or more subject/discipline.
  • Comprehend and produce written and spoken texts in subject-appropriate language for a range of academic purposes that are core to the relevant subject/discipline, demonstrating the capacity to adapt language and literacy to the expectations, practices and needs of different academic and professional audiences.

    The UK qualification has three stages, each comprising 120 Credits. For the BA/BSc (Honours) Open Degree the learner can study a broad range of subjects, or specialise in one subject area for half of their degree and study a broad range of subjects for the other, or specialise in two subject areas. The UK qualification is a three-year undergraduate qualification while this qualification is a one-year Postgraduate qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Languages, NQF 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, 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 THESE LEARNING PROGRAMMES: 
    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.