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 Arts Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7117  Bachelor of Arts Honours 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 
This qualification includes the various specialisations in Arts. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

The purpose of the BA Hons qualification is to:
  • Equip students with the ability to identify, analyse and explore, with a measure of independence, new theoretical and empirical information in the chosen field of study in the humanities (including the social sciences).
  • Enable students to use competently the highly specialised skills needed for particular problem-solving in a discipline, and to apply them with progressively less guidance.
  • Provide students with the competence to argue a position, orally or in writing, from a theoretical stance, taking into account relevant literature, with a cogency and coherence that show familiarity with the discourse of the discipline.
  • Bring students to the stage where they have completed the necessary transition from the basic level to the more advanced research level, with control over essential theoretical and methodological material.
  • Provide students with developed analytical skills and methodological competence to address problems in society, with the capacity for independent and informed critical assessment of complex issues.

    This qualification signals a basic readiness for independent enquiry and will prepare students for further postgraduate study. The qualifying learner will have the analytical skills and the methodological competence to address problems in society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • A Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement or equivalent university admission qualification, plus a first degree are necessary for registration for a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree.
  • In order to comply with the points mentioned above, it is assumed that the applicant shows competence in numeracy, written and oral English, and in the terminology of the chosen field.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
  • Applicants who fall outside the normal admissions process may be considered both for admission and for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The qualifying learner will:

    1. Use and apply with progressively less guidance the highly specialised skills needed for particular problem-solving in a discipline in the humanities.
    2. Demonstrate specialised knowledge, that is knowledge focused in greater depth and fuller range on the content of one major discipline in the humanities, with adequate control of its essential theories and methodologies.
    3. Display an advanced grasp of the typical concepts and problems in the field of study.
    4. Demonstrate a familiarity with a range of research skills and tools for addressing problems in the field of study.
    5. Display an understanding of and familiarity with the discourse of the discipline.
    6. Develop analytical skills and methodological competence to enable him/her to address problems in society. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The qualifying learner will:
  • Identify, analyse and explore new theoretical and empirical information in a field of study in the humanities with a measure of independence either as preparation for subsequent research or for work in society.
  • Recognise and define promising new areas of study, and assimilate these to the appropriate theoretical positions.
  • Recognise complexity and select appropriate responses to it from within the particular field of specialisation.
  • Engage in independent critical assessment of problems and identify, judge critically and apply the appropriate theories needed to address their complexity.
  • Engage in scholarly interaction from a solid grounding in the particular discipline, recognising issues at stake and taking a theoretically informed position in debate.
  • Argue a position from a theoretical stance, taking into account relevant literature, with a cogency and coherence that show familiarity with the discourse of the discipline.

    Integrated assessment:

    Integrated assessment is performed on a continuous basis and comprises a range of formative and summative assessment methods such as portfolios, assignments, work-place assessments, class exercises, written and oral examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is recognized internationally and also serves as an entry point for a MA Social Work in overseas countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification serves as an entry point to study for a MA, MPhil or MDram and acts as a springboard for further specialisation at Master's and doctoral levels. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The University of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department. The moderating body for qualifications of the University is the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the University of Stellenbosch will participate in a manner that conforms to the quality assurance system of the University. The academic staff of the University of the Stellenbosch and other appointed universities are regarded as registered assessors since SAQA has registered the institutions as a public higher education providers. 

    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 Arts Honours in International Studies
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Mandarin

    List of programmes leading to this qualification:
  • BA Honours in Afrikaans and Dutch.
  • BA Honours in African Languages.
  • BA Honours in Classical Literature.
  • BA Honours in English Studies.
  • BA Honours in Geographical Information Systems for Spatial Analysis and Decision-making.
  • BA Honours in History.
  • BA Honours in Philosophy.
  • BA Honours in Information Science.
  • BA Honours in Political Science.
  • BA Honours in Psychology.
  • BA Honours in Sociology.
  • BA Honours in Social Anthropology.
  • BA Honours in Social Work.
  • BA Honours in Drama and Theatre Studies.
  • BA Honours in German.
  • BA Honours in French.
  • BA Honours in Geography and Environmental Studies.
  • BA Honours in Public and Development Management.
  • BA Honours in Industrial Psychology.
  • BA Honours in Economics.
  • BA Honours in Business Management. 
    		•

    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
    116825  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Afrikaans and Dutch  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116826  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Ancient Languages  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116827  Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Studies  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116828  Bachelor of Arts Honours in French  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116829  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Geographical Information Systems  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116830  Bachelor of Arts Honours in German  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116831  Bachelor of Arts Honours in History  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116839  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Journalism  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116832  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Philosophy  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116833  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116834  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116835  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Social Anthropology  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116836  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Socio-Informatics  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116837  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 
    116838  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Visual Studies  Stellenbosch University  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120       HEQSF 


    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.