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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Information Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15882  Bachelor of Information 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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Information Studies 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 includes the various specialisations in Information Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The overall purpose of this qualification is:
  • To provide qualifiers with graduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in a number of fields of Information Science, Multimedia and Publishing products.
  • To provide in-depth knowledge of different theories for example infometrics, information organisation and retrieval theories, and communication theories
    In addition to the overall purpose of this programme, the individual packages each has its own further purpose 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Matriculation certificate
    First degree: B IS specialising in Library Science, Multimedia, Publishing or Information Science or equivalent B degree
    Other:
    In order to register for the programme Baccalaureus in Informationis Scientiae Honores (B IS Hons), a candidate should already have obtained a national first degree from any accredited institution for Higher Education and Training, and comply with the particular requirements prescribed in the admission procedures and faculty regulations for the Faculty of Humanities and the respective departments.
    Those who intend to register at the University for the first time or who wish to resume their studies after a period of interruption, should apply or reapply for admission. All first applicants may be expected to write an admission test as well as language proficiency and computer skills tests. The Senate may place a limit on the number of students who may be admitted to register for a package, in which case the Dean concerned may decide who to admit from those who qualify 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    B IS Hons

    Learning outcomes:
    The learner will have:
  • Good language proficiency required for the practice of science, a sound knowledge of Humanities, and the ability to apply skills effectively in his/her chosen field of expertise.
  • The learner will have basic computer skills and will have mastered basic critical and creative thinking skills.
  • Knowledge and skills are supplemented with in-depth guidance in approaches and methods for analysis, theories and models for application, management and development, growth, ethics, strategy, and achievement which equip the candidate with skills which can be immediately implemented and supplemented by lifelong learning.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    Critical cross-field outcomes for the programme in social sciences include but are not limited to various competencies and applied competencies such as:
    1. 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.
    2. Work intersectorally with other disciplines as a member of a team, group, organisation, community in both the public and private sectors.
    3. 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.
    4. Develop holistic, integrated strategies and programmes for social services founded on the collection, analyses, organising, implementation and critical evaluation of theory, information and processes.
    5. Demonstrate effective utilisation of scientific strategies aimed at a service delivery framework.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Contribute to the full personal development of each learner regarding strategies for learning, such as furthering of studies for career enhancement, involvement in community life, developing 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 
    The associated assessment criteria for the B IS Hons are derived directly form the learning outcomes and provide the criteria against which learner performance demonstrating the attainment of learning outcomes can be judged. The assessment criteria involve, at minimum
  • that both norm-based and criteria-based modalities are used
  • reliability is ensured via internal and external moderation
  • the standards and levels of achievement required for "pegging" the qualification at NQF Level 6 are met.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments through practical application
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    The modalities for integrated assessment permit the learner to demonstrate applied competence and use a wide range of formative and summative methods set according to specific guidelines for developing particular assessment tasks and allowing assessors to develop formative and summative methods related to credentialing purposes appropriate to contextual and situational readings of candidates presenting themselves for the recognition of learning achievements.
    In addition to the above, modalities such as group discussions, presentations, peer group evaluations, observation/experiential learning and live application of competency in practical settings are also used. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    MA, M Soc Sc, MA Languages, M Pol Sc, M Mus
    B Phil

    MA, M Soc Sc, MA Languages, M Pol Sc, M Mus serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    B Phil provides credits for the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    The programme leading to a Baccalaureus Informationis Scientiae Honores (B IS Hons) specialising in any major discipline qualifies the candidate for further training on postgraduate level as offered by the three 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 the use of memoranda, internal second examiners and at all exit levels the use of external examiners, examination panels and/or other experts. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    Assessors for the programme leading to a Baccalaureus Informationis Scientiae Honores (B IS 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.)

    Career experience required:
    Career experience includes experience in Humanities and related fields of expertise, university experience, and general experience as a practitioner in a specific field as required by the outcomes of the package. 

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

    NOTES 
    This qualification includes the following specialisations:
  • Bachelor of Information Science Honours in Multimedia
  • Bachelor of Information Science Honours in Publishing 
    		•

    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
    115904  Bachelor of Information Science Honours in Multimedia  University of Pretoria  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    115905  Bachelor of Information Science Honours in Publishing  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.