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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Organisational Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15159  Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Organisational Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  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  Level 7  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 
This Honours programme is the first year of postgraduate study in Organisational Psychology. It is designed to provide the opportunity for further intensive study in Organisational Psychology, and training in concepts and research methods designed to equip the candidate with the skills necessary either for employment in organisations and self-employment or for further study at Masters level and Doctoral level in Organisational Psychology or a related subject area. Students who complete the programme are eligible for registration as psychometrics subject to passing an examination that is administered by the professional Board for Psychology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
A degree of Bachelor or its equivalent with a better than average pass in the major in the discipline or a cognate discipline.

Senior certificate with Matriculation Exemption or Equivalent university admission qualification.

First degree:
BCom

Recognition of prior learning:

Non-graduates who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject equivalent to a bachelors degree may be permitted to register for the degree. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
(a) The honours graduate in Organisational Psychology is competent to:

i) understand and interpret qualitative and quantitative data within this area of specialisation;
ii) design and conduct research in this area of specialisation;
iii) produce academic papers that reflect an ability to interrogate the professional literature and engage in critical debate;
iv) find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently;
v) use information-technology efficiently and independently;
vi) embark on Honours level research study under supervision.

b) General outcomes (contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the programme):

The honours graduate in Organisational Psychology is competent to:

i) articulate his or her understanding of an area of specialisation at a high level of abstraction;
ii) independently apply discipline-based knowledge and practices to an understanding of conceptual and practical problems;
iii) design and conduct research utilising the methods of the discipline;
iv) Apply the theory and research methods of the discipline to the development of research questions;
v) Produce practical, theoretical and research communications that draw on a range of information bases.

c) Specific outcomes (including professional outcomes, contextually demonstrated):

The Honours graduate in Organisational Psychology is able to:
  • formulate a sophisticated linguistic/literary argument drawing on appropriate theory and research.
  • Produce critiques of psychological theory and research
  • Design a limited scope research project to answer a psychological question
  • Utilise advanced quantitative and qualitative methods to address research questions
  • Use computer-based statistical packages to conduct advanced statistical analyses
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to an understanding of psychological test results 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    (a) The achievement of these outcomes is assessed in the integrated assessment of the programme.

    (b) The learner's achievement of general programme outcomes is assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course, and particularly in the capstone activity outlined under integrated assessment.

    (c) Assessments include theoretical papers, practical reports, and research projects. Formative assessment includes the preparation of papers written under supervision. Summative assessments mainly take the form of the capstone literature review, research proposal and project report.

    Integrated assessment:

    The integrated assessment of an Organisational Psychology Honours graduate includes measurement of foundational, practical and reflective competencies taught through the formative course work components of the programme. The student is required to complete a series of exercises which integrate skills learned during the Honours year and to prepare those candidates who wish to continue to masters level. In all assignments performance will be assessed on the basis of the student's ability
    1) to organise ideas and facts logically and coherently;

    2) to incorporate relevant technical data into descriptive and argumentative writing; and

    3) to cite references accurately and consistently.

    As the summative assessment of the programme the student produces a research paper which demonstrates the capacity for independent thought and research, knowledge of the theoretical foundations of the subject and of scholarly literature. The following components are integral parts of the production of the research paper:

    1) a focused literature review based on the use of a variety of text and other media which informs a potential research question. The review is written up in the form of an academic paper that accords with the publication conventions of the discipline of psychology.
    2) The formulation of a research question and the development of a research proposal based on the literature review. The proposal must specify a research design and the method/s to be applied to answer the research question. It must also consider the ethical implications of the research design and method/s.
    3) The demonstration of a professional working relationship by responding to the comments of the project supervisor.
    4) The carrying out of the research proposed and its presentation in a manner which accords with the publication conventions of the discipline. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Title(s) of related qualification(s)

    1. MCom in Organisational Psychology
    2. MBusSc in Organisational Psychology by research.
    3. Interdisciplinary research or coursework masters programme (MPhil).

    The qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification(s).

    Entry to this qualification in mid-stream:
    Not possible.

    Exit from qualification in mid-stream:
    Credit is given for modules of the course completed.

    Other higher education programmes which articulate with this qualification without "going back to square one:"
    Subject to the provisions of the Joint Statute, this work may be recognised by another institution in part fulfilment towards a similar degree of honours bachelor. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Cape Town has a system of external peer review and evaluation of each course. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the University of Cape Town will be used in a manner which is consistent with the quality assurance syste of the University. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. University of Cape Town 


    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.