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 in Information Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81169  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Information Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
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 
It will prepare competent graduates capable of developing the fundamentals of computer programming, and with the expertise to analyse, design, operate and manage computer systems. The integration of these academic skills will enable the University to contribute to the country 's need for an increase in manpower and self sufficiency in information technology fields. It will prepare competent personnel who are able to understand the organisation and operation of computer hardware. It will help in the transfer of a technology which is undergoing rapid development. It will provide personnel who are capable of meeting the nation 's present and future needs in the academic and vocational spheres. It will further prepare students for advanced graduate studies in information technology

Tl aduates of the social science degrees will have a deeper understanding societal context of the technology and thus provide the country with manpower that can avoid the disruption that often accompanies the slavish adherence to the technological imperative. The science graduates, while not unaware of societal issues, will be able to provide the deeper technical skills needed to make the technology operate effectively. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
An adequate level of development of knowledge and skills in mathematics.
Adequate literacy skills in English.
These can be demonstrated in a number of ways:
Matriculation exemption with at least 40%at Higher Grade or at least 60%at Standard Grade for Mathematics.
Alternative access programmes such as the Science Foundation Programme (SFP).

Prior learning recognised:
Students who have completed a diploma at a College or Technikon may be admitted, provided they meet the criteria above.
The SFP provides access to students who do not have a formal or adequate matric exemption. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Identify and solve problems
Communicate verbally and it writing.
Construct software the meets the highest international quality standards.
Analyse , design, operate and manage computer systems.
Understand the orgination and operation information technology
Promote and enable the utilization of appropriate technology.
Computer literacy.
Information retrieval skills. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
Tests during the year.
Weekly theoretical and practical assignments.
Semester projects.
Seminar and verbal presentations.
Formal examinations.

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:

In the research projects the student will be expected to demonstrate an overall understanding of the programme and a capability to integrate the materials learned in the programme. The student will be assessed by means of seminars which they must present to an external assessor, a written project report and the quality of the artifact produced (usually an IT application). These projects will take place in the third year and the forth year exit points. 

ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
Learners may shift into the programme at any level provided they meet all the prerequisite requirements for that level. Students from Agricultural Colleges and Technikons with completed Diplomas may carry relevant credits into the programme. 

MODERATION OPTIONS 
A t least 50 %of the examination of every module is subject to second examination. In the case of level 300 and 400 modules these are independent of the University. For exit level modules at least 66 %of the assessment is externally examined. 

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of Natal assumes that, on the basis of its rigorous selection criteria for the appointment of academic staff (who also have opportunities for staff development in assessment), staff are competent to assess students on the modules they teach. This assessment is quality assured via a university system of internal moderation and external examination. External examiners are appointed for their teaching and disciplinary expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of Natal ruling is that 66% of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to a qualification are externally examined. 

REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 KwaZulu-Natal 


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.