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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Communication 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3885  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Communication 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication 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
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 
The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with advanced graduate level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in the Social Sciences with core focus on human and applied communication and information management, provide opportunities for life long learning and personal intellectual growth and equip learners with skills for a successful career in the communication professions and communication research.

The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with highly qualified graduates who will become leading professionals and researchers in the ever-growing communication and management professions in the public and private sectors 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
B.A or B.Soc. Sc in Communication or equivalent. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1 Communication Problem Solving

The B.Soc.Sc (Hon) graduate is competent to

1) Identify, assess, understand, solve and resolve fundamental human communication problems creatively and innovatively

2) Recognise the import of and make use of research skills in the study and understanding of communication problems

2 Application of fundamental and specialist knowledge

The B.Soc.Sc (Hons) graduate is competent to

1) To demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary in the selected areas of applied communication: advertising, public relations, journalism, development and organisational communication as well as explain the importance and impact of these on groups, business and society

2) Apply knowledge of the fundamental of social science, human and mediated communication and applied communication theories and skills to solve and resolve communication problems at various levels: Intra-personal, interpersonal, group, organisational, public and mass communication levels

3) Apply the acquired research skills in writing a research proposal carrying out the research project and writing it up line with academic writing standards

3 Professional and General Communication

The B.Soc.Sc (Hon) graduate is competent to

1) Communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally, non - verbal and writing, with or without communication and information technology, in interpersonal, group and mediated communication contexts

2) Use the knowledge and skills acquired to improve and facilitate the flow of information in and within a group, an organisation and society at large and between them

3) Read and understand communication research reports of others and communicate own research findings in line with academic writing standards

4 Impact of communication on people and general society

The B.Soc.Sc (Hon) graduate is critically aware of

1) The import and impact of communication activity on: interpersonal relationship in various contexts; group and organisational management and society at large

2) The import and impact of communication and information technology on: interpersonal relationship in various contexts; group and organisational management and society at large

3) The import of research in understanding the impact of communication on people and general society

5 Team and multi-disciplinary working

The B.Soc.Sc (Hons) graduate is competent to

Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in complex multi-disciplinary environments showing leadership and performing critical (especially communication) functions

6 Lifelong Learning

The B.Soc.Sc (Hons) graduate understands

1) The requirements to maintain continued competence and to keep abreast of up-to-date communication and research skills, technology and techniques;

and is competent to

2) Engage in lifelong learning through well-developed learning skills

7 Professional ethics and Practice

The B.Soc.Sc (Hons) graduate is critically aware of

1) The need to act professionally and ethically and to take responsibility within own limits of competence

and is competent to

2) Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and experience 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Integrated assessment criteria

Students write individual assignments to demonstrate and illustrate their understanding of the fundamental communication concepts, theories, skills and dynamics that have been learned.

During seminar and written presentations, students recognize the importance of communication skills in self-development, management of conflict and fostering teamwork and harmony in interpersonal and group situations.
During group discussion the seminar preparation and presentations, students develop creative thinking plus analytical and problem solving skills.

During practical assignments, students demonstrate ability to work creatively, both independently and in teams, with regard to communication technology application.

Students demonstrate a healthy curiosity and enthusiasm to communicate their acquired communication knowledge and skills to their peers in a variety of modes and are able to assess the performance of others in this regard.

Students demonstrate their basic research competence by writing, under close supervision, a research proposal, carrying out a research and in writing it up in line with academic writing standards.

Methods.

Assignment essays and seminar papers for which students do individual and group library work shall be used to test comprehension of subject matters plus referencing, citation and academic writing skills

Seminar and group work (presentation and discussion) assessed by Lecturers and peers. These shall be used to test various analytical, critical and presentation skills

Practical assignments and project shall be used to test learners' competence teamwork and creativity especially in area of applied communication

Formal university examinations shall be used and these will weight half of the final result in each module

A completed research project will be used to assess the learner's research skills 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Vertical articulation

Students with this qualification plus the requisite results may enroll for the Masters Degree in Communication by research in this or any other university

Students with this qualification plus the requisite results may enroll for the coursework Master Degrees in Communication Policy Studies offered by this university and for the Master in International Communication offered by UNISA

Students with this degree plus the requisite may enroll for the MA in Journalism offered by Rhodes University and for the M. Phil in Journalism offered by Stellenbosch University 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
External examiners will moderate all examination scripts and research projects
The faculty examinations committee will be the final moderating body. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Lecturing staff appointed as internal university examiners, and duly appointed external examiners, shall be assessors in line with the quality assurance and management system of this university. At this level a Master's degree with several years teaching experience is required for internal examiners. External examiners will have a PhD degree or a Master's degree plus teaching and research experience 

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 Fort Hare 


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.