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 Social Science Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
80191  Bachelor of Social Science Honours 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu 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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to:
  • Advance the research skills of learners.
  • Bridge Undergraduate (general, Postgraduate knowledge) and skills training for the benefit of learners and society.
  • Provide in-depth theoretical knowledge and lifelong learning.
  • Prepare learners for advancement to a Master's Degree.


    Rationale:
    The qualification seeks to provide students with an opportunity for in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills in their field of specialisation. The qualification serves as a response to local,provincial, national and international needs. It also provides the society with intellectual and independent leaders. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification to learners who do not met the minimum entry requirements.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The minimum entry requirement is:
  • Bachelor of Arts, Level 7 with a Social Science subject as a major.
  • Bachelor's Degree in the Social Sciences, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate skills that will promote innovativeness and competencies relevant for provincial, regional and national strategic developmental needs of society using culturally centred approaches.
  • Build on established strategic partnerships with government and private sector stakeholders with specific focus on advancing community engagement, research, as well as problem-based learning for own benefit and other participating stakeholders.
  • Demonstrate research methodology and techniques, theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment strategy includes a variety of options to demonstrate and provide evidence of practice, based on the anticipated outcomes and the assessment criteria. This includes activities such as case studies, problem solving assignments, practice in simulated and in situ contexts, projects, written and oral presentations.

    The assessment is focused on applied competence and assessment evidence include:
  • Oral Presentations which are observed in context to observe ability to communicate with comprehension.
  • Two or more work-based projects to demonstrate the application of the learning and insights from the core modules.
  • Evidence of self, peer, and tutor assessment.
  • Assignments and/or examinations providing evidence of the ability to apply knowledge to practice.
  • Case study.
  • Mini dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The institutions of higher education internationally offer comparable qualifications in Social Sciences Honsours , for instance Brandeis University in the United States of America, Oxford University in the United Kingdom, Makerere University in Uganda. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The qualification offers horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities.

    Horizontal articulation
  • Honour's Degrees, Level 8 in other fields of the Social Sciences.
  • Postgraduate Diplomas, Level 8 in a cognate field

    Vertical articulation
  • Master's Degree, Level 9 in a cognate field. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The university policy provides for the use of:
  • Internal moderation: relevant senior academics.
  • External moderation: senior academics from other universities.
  • As part of examination process and procedures the university uses sequentially the following structures:
    > Departmental examination committee.
    > Faculty examination board.
    > The University Academic Planning and Examinations Committee (APEC) and finally.
    > Senate.

    The majority of Faculty of Education staff members are qualified assessors. 
    		•

    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 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. Walter Sisulu University 


    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.