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 Social Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15576  Bachelor of Social Science Honours 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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  135  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0328/24  2024-11-21  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 
  • This qualification, B Soc Sc Hons represents planned learning outcomes, namely that the learner will be qualified to render holistic, integrated and intersectoral services, reflecting diversity, accessibility, and equal distribution of resources for all South Africans. These outcomes are designed to promote lifelong learning and are interdisciplinary by nature.
  • The specific purposes of this qualification are:
    - to provide qualifiers with postgraduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of a major discipline as well as other disciplines aimed at providing opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
    - to provide South Africa with a cadre of analysts, researchers, facilitators, developers, managers, and experts who will have a clear and continuously growing understanding of the methods and progress in Social Sciences which could be transferred to their chosen field of application in a career.
    - to prepare learners for a articulation to Masters programmes in a major discipline. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Matriculation certificate
    First degree:
    B Soc Sc qualification as first degree
    Any B degree (National 1st degree) including at least 8-12 modules (on all undergraduate year levels) which represents the core discipline of this postgraduate qualification or its subsidiary packages.
    Other:
    NOTE: This qualification could provide credits for a coursework Masters programme. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    B Soc Sc Hons

    Learning outcomes:
    Knowledge of the discipline:
    Graduates will have sound knowledge of the principles, major theories, paradigms and methods in a major discipline, and an awareness of the variety of contexts in which these may apply.

    Decision-making and problem solving:
    Graduates are competent to identify key elements of social and human issues, to compare and select methods for obtaining information, analyse and synthesise information, apply theoretical principles towards understanding the information, and select appropriate methods for the resolution of problems, based on an understanding of decision making principles.

    Team and multidisciplinary work:
    Graduates are competent to
  • work effectively as members of a multi-professional team
  • act as consultants within the limits of their competence
  • work across disciplinary boundaries
  • communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on a professional and academic level through accurate reporting of information.

    Research:
    Graduates are competent to design a research project of limited scope, apply appropriate research methods, analyse and report data, and write a research report.
    Project/programme implementation and management:
    Graduates understand the principles of project/ programme formulation and management, and can implement pre-determined projects/programmes effectively.

    Information technology:
    Graduates are competent to use computers and information infrastructures for accessing, processing, storing and managing information, with the view to conduct research, write reports and referrals, and manage a information effectively.

    Lifelong learning:
    Graduates show self-directed work and learning

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    Critical cross-field outcomes for this programme include but are not limited to various competencies and applied competencies such as:
  • identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made concerning solutions for problems related to individuals, groups, families, communities and people with special needs;
  • work intersectorally with other disciplines as a member of a team, group, organisation, community in both the public and private sectors;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between systems from an ecological approach by understanding social needs, problems and resource capacity within an international, national and local context;
  • develop holistic, integrated strategies and programmes for social sciences founded on the collection, analyses, organising, implementation and critical evaluation of theory, information and processes;
  • demonstrate effective utilisation of technology for strategies aimed at broadening the scope of the Humanities and science in general;
  • organise and manage their work load responsibly and effectively by means of a scheduled programme allowing for a learning environment such as reading scientific journals in the field as well as becoming a member of professional bodies, attending seminars and conferences, doing research and rendering voluntary services to facilitate professional growth and development;
  • communicate effectively with people of all target groups, including people who are literate and illiterate, children and the youth, using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion;
  • contribute to the full personal development of each learner regarding strategies for learning, such as furthering a culture of life-long learning, scientific involvement, expressing a non-discriminating attitude across a range of social contexts based on the value of social justice and a sensitivity for cultural diversity and awareness of similarities, and to explore and develop career opportunities such as entrepreneurial initiatives to promote social and economical independence and opportunities for personal development. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    To meet the requirements for the B Soc Sc Hons qualification the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes of the learner are assessed on the basis of any or all of the following:
  • Performance during oral presentations in front of peers and/or experts.
  • Written outputs in the format of essays and reports.
  • Where applicable, written examinations reflecting research competence.
  • A mini-dissertation, being the culmination of research efforts.
    The assessment will both formative, summative and criteria-based and reliability will be ensured by both internal and external moderation

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios: if required by the research topic or the discipline
    Simulations: if required by the research topic or the discipline
    Work-place assessments: if required by the research topic or the discipline
    Written examinations: if required by the research topic or the discipline
    Oral examinations: if required by the research topic or the discipline
    Other:
    The modalities for integrated assessment permit the candidate to demonstrate applied competence. Mainly formative methods set according to specific guidelines and methods related to credentialing the critical exit-level and cross-field outcomes appropriate to contextual and situational achievements are recognised.
    In addition to the above, modalities such as group discussions, and presentations in front of peers and experts may also be used. Final assessment by expert external assessors, both academic and non-academic, will be done. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Masters' degree based on course work

    Masters' degree based on course work serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    The programme leading to a B Soc Sc Hons qualifies the candidate for further training on postgraduate level offered by the Schools in the Faculty of Humanities, as well as related postgraduate programmes in the Faculty of Economics and Business Management (e.g. M BA), and the Faculty of Natural, Agricultural and Information Sciences 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Measures to ensure that assessment is fair, reliable and valid are in place according to a set of guidelines for internal second examiners as well as external assessors, assessment panels and/or other experts. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Career experience required:
    Assessors for the programme leading to a Baccalaureus Societatis Scientiae Honores (B Soc Sc Hons) have to comply with the requirements set by the University for persons qualified to train learners in the field of Higher Education and Training. In general all assessors have acquired qualifications at least one degree higher than that for which the candidates are enrolled, namely Honours, Masters and Doctorate level.
    (All persons currently employed in the above departments comply with the set criteria.) 

    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: 
     
    LP ID Learning Programme Title Originator Pre-2009
    NQF Level    		 NQF Level Min Credits Learning Prog End Date Quality
    Assurance
    Functionary    		 NQF Sub-Framework
    115357  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Environmental Analysis and Management  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115356  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Geography  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115361  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Heritage and Cultural Sciences  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115358  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115353  Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Anthropology  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115354  Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Development Studies  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115355  Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Gender Studies  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115359  Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Industrial Sociology and Labour Studies  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115360  Bachelor of Social Sciences Honours in Sociology  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 


    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.