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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science in Communication 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
3957  Bachelor of Social Science 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
National First Degree  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Communication Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 6  NQF Level 07  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 
The (first) purpose of the qualification is to provide qualifiers with 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 communication professions.

The (second) purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with highly qualified graduates who will become leading professionals 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 
Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
  • National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Communication Problem Solving:
    The Bachelor of Science (Communication) qualified learner is competent to:
    Identify, assess, understand, solve and resolve human communication problems creatively and innovatively.

    Application of fundamental and specialist knowledge:
    The Bachelor of Science (Communication) qualified learner 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.

    Professional and General Communication:
    Qualified learner is competent to.

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

    4. 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.

    Impact of communication on people and general society:
    The Bachelor of Social Science (Communication) qualified learner is critically aware of:

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

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

    Team and multi-disciplinary working:
    The Bachelor of Social Science (Communication) qualified learner is competent to.

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

    Lifelong Learning:
    The Bachelor of Social Science (Communication) qualified learner understands.

    8. 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

    9. Engage in lifelong learning through well-developed learning skills.

    Professional ethics and Practice:
    The Bachelor of Social Science (Communication) qualified learner is critically aware of.

    10. The need to act professionally and ethically and to take responsibility within own limits of competence.

    and is competent to

    11. Exercise judgement commensurate with knowledge and experience. 

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

    2. Minor (Class) tests shall be used to test the students after completion of a few learning modules. This continuous assessment instrument will ensure continuous study at all times

    3. Major tests after learners have been given considerable time to study material covering subject matter contained in a lot more modules than in the minor tests.
    These structured to be similar to final examination to acquaint learners with its style and scope

    4. Tutorial and group work (presentation and discussion) assessed by Lectures and/or tutors and peers. These shall be used to test learner's competence

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

    Integrated assessment criteria

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

    During oral written presentations, students organize the importance of communication skills in self-development, management of conflict and fostering teamwork and harmony in interpersonal and group situations.

    During group discussions and tutorial 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 peer in a variety of modes and are able to assess the performances of others in this regard. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Social Science in Media and Communication, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Communication, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.