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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Political Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81178  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Political Science 
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 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 
Political Science is a discipline with both academic and vocational elements. It equips learners with the ability to reason abstractly through understanding and analysing political concepts. It enables them to grasp the political dimensions of social and economic phenomena. It provides them with the ability critically to analyse, interpret and explain political events and processes both in South Africa and globally. A strong research skills component, focussing specifically on the methodology and techniques used for political science research (both qualitative, such as data interpretation, and quantitative) and on training in IT skills, are central to all qualifications earned through the qualification. This qualification has a clear vocational aspect in that it equips learners with both knowledge and analytical skills necessary to careers in the public service, politics, journalism, corporate governance and the NG0 sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Political Science in Political Studies, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate well-developed study habits: location and use of sources; ability to write in response to topics set;
    2. Demonstrate competent academic writing skills and knowledge of standard academy writing conventions;
    3. Demonstrate basic computer literacy;
    4. Participate in small group discussions,
    5. Engage in argument around, and analysis of issues in a manner that displays an informed and skilful deployment of a wide range of the relevant concepts including analytical categories;
    6. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical background of, and principal issues associated with, contemporary political developments in South Africa, Africa, and globally;
    9. Demonstrate knowledge of the major sub-disciplines of Political Science (Political Theory; International Relations; Comparative Politics; Area Studies). 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Locate and use a variety of sources, secondary and primary, documentary and electronic;
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of appropriate research skills for different kinds of research projects;
  • Deploy advanced writing skills and a thorough knowledge of and ability to deploy the conventions of writing research papers in Political Science,
  • Demonstrate the knowledge of computer qualifications for research, both quantitative: and qualitative;
  • Deploy advanced skills of seminar presentation;
  • Work with others on a research project;
  • Apply a wide range of concepts, analytical techniques and modes of theorization to contemporary political issues.

    Integrated assessment:
    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:
    Learners will be assessed by means of classwork of various kinds, assessment and (at appropriate graduate levels) by dissertation. Quantity and demands of classwork will be in accordance with the level of study. Assessments are set for all coursework components of the qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science, Level 8.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Master of Social Science in Political Science, Level 9. 
    		•

    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: 
    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.