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 Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
17331  Bachelor of Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  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   2033-06-30  

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 
1. The first purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with an in depth knowledge base in at least the following substantive areas in Psychology: The Biological Bases of Human Behaviour, the Social Context of Behaviour, Community Psychology, Human Development, Personology, Psychopathology, Psychological Assessment, Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Psychological Research.

2. A Second related purpose of the qualification is to provide students with the necessary training that will enable them to registered as "Registered Councellors" with the Professional Board for Psychology (PBP) (of the Health Professions Board of South African) (the B.Psych degree leads to registration as a "Registered Psychologist")

3. A third purpose is to provide preliminary training for the D.Psych degree, which follows the B. Psych degree training programme and which allows for registration as "Psychologist".

4. The fourth purpose of the qualification is to provide the communities which the university serves with graduates who have a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of psychology and community mental health issues - thereby contributing to the well-being of our nation at a primary level' 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners should have successfully completed Grade 12 with a C-symbol in one of the official languages. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The B. Psych graduate has a thorough critical and integrated understanding of:

1. The major extant theories of, and the debates and research on, human Development - particularly within the South African context;
2. The theories of, and research (particularly in the South African context) on, the major child, adolescent and adult psychopathologies;
3. The key 'Western' and indigenous theories and methods of psychotherapeutic interventions;
4. The principles of social and community psychology - specifically insofar as they relate to topical social problems such as crime, violence racism.
5. The philosophy, principles and methods of social scientific research.


The Bachelor of Psychology graduate should be able to demonstrate the following competencies of the Bachelor of Psychology programme (These are in line with the core and derived competencies specified by the PBP for B.Psych graduates.

6. The ability to conduct basic psychological assessment.
7. The ability to conduct basic, short-term psychological interventions.
8. The ability to refer clients to an equivalent professional peer within the primary health-care system, e.g. a general practitioner and social worker.
9. The ability to conduct a research project of limited scope and implement the research findings.
10. The ability to manage a practice in a responsible manner and in line with the stipulated requirements of the PBP


The B.Psysh graduate is able to show proof that he/she has internalized the following values critical to the discipline of Psychology:

11. a respect of self;
12. a respect for the basic human rights of others; and
13. a commitment to assisting in the optimal development and functioning of all South Africans.


Specify critical cross-field outcomes:

All B. Psych graduate will be able to:
  • Communicate effectively
  • Think critically
  • Collect, organise, analyse, and critically evaluate information
  • Work effectively with others
  • Understand the work as a set of related systems
  • Being of service to the community
  • Entrepreneurship

    All cross-field outcomes are basic to, or embedded in, the programme specific outcomes and will be assessed together with the latter 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Outcomes 1-5 will be assessed by means of written examinations, assignments, class discussions, and seminar presentations. More specifically, these outcomes will be assessed at levels 6 and 7 of SAQA's list of descriptors: 'Scope of learning'


    Outcomes 6-10 will be assessed by means of case reports, research reports, written assignments, class discussions, on-site practical evaluation, and seminar presentations. More specifically, these outcomes will be assessed at levels 5, 6 and 7 of SAQA's lists of level descriptors: 'Scope of Learing', Nature of Processes', and level 1 of SAQA's list of descriptors: Responsibility

    Outcomes 11-13 will be assessed on the basis of what is reflected in the learner's written ad oral examinations, written assignments, class discussions, seminar presentations, research reports and case reports


    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
  • Simulations
  • Workplace assessment
  • Written Examinations
  • Oral Examination


    Other:
  • Assessment of participation in class discussions
  • Assessment of seminar presentations
  • Assessment of research and clinical placement reports
  • On-site assessment at practical placements 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides credits for the related qualification:

    B. Ed (Psychology)
    B. Admin Honours (Industrial Psychology)

    This qualification serves as an entry point to the related qualification:

    M.A. (Psychology)
    D. Psych. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All examinations and research papers will be moderated by external assessors who meet the university of Venda's requirements for external assessors.

    The final examinations at the end of the B.Psych programme will be conducted by the College of Professional Psychology, of the Professional Board for Psychology. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:

    Preferably, at least a Master's degree in Psychology or B.A./B.Sc + two years formal post-graduate training (including Honours) in Psychology.

    Career experience required:

    At least 3 years teaching and practical (research and / or clinical) experience.

    Other criteria:

    An acceptable publishing record. 

    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 Venda 


    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.