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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Public Policy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
81181  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Public Policy 
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  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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 
Public Policy Programme is an academic and broadly vocational qualification, which aims to equip learners with an understanding of the processes and structures, through which policy development and implementation take place. The qualification will also provide learners with the skills required to conduct research which is policy directed. Such academic and vocational training is crucial in South Africa at present given the need for new policy formulation to address the multiplicity of social problems and developmental goals. The policy field is a growing one in South Africa in both the private and the public sector, and job opportunities for learners who have qualified from the public policy qualification will be in demand in both of these sectors. 

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 Social Science in Public Policy, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the political processes involved in public policy.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the stakeholders involved in the policy process.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current policy concerns and outcomes, and their impact on social development.
  • Identify policy-related issues and evaluate their importance.
  • Understand the social context in which public policies are constructed.
  • Present arguments and perspectives both orally and in written form.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of most contemporary societies, and the causes of inequality.
  • Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the key theoretical debates and methodologies used in the public policy arena.
  • Conduct primary research. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the general field of enquiry.
  • Demonstrate detailed knowledge of specific areas of inquiry in the qualification.
  • Understand the interrelationships amongst various areas of the field of knowledge
  • Analyse components/issues/factors/structure etc.
  • Grasp the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of the area of study.
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current critical debates.
  • Summarise, compare and evaluate a substantial body of knowledge.
  • Construct a sustained argument, formulate questions and work towards solutions.
  • Command the conceptual discourse of the field of public policy.
  • Develop a clear understanding of the historical and contemporary state and possible future of the disciplinary areas in which she/he is working.
  • Command academic English at an appropriate level.
  • Solve problems, both theoretical and applied pertaining to the analysis, formulation and implementation of public policy.
  • Have an appropriate understanding of the disciplines concerned, in particular, sociology and political studies.
  • Contextualise the study of public policy within the social environment and the historical understanding.
  • Demonstrate. Demonstrate familiarity with information technology at an appropriate level.
  • Understand diversity.
  • Manage individual study.
  • Work efficiently with groups.
  • Present findings at an appropriate level, both orally and in writing.
  • Carry out a substantial independent research project conforming to acknowledged scholarly protocols.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:
    Learners will be assessed by classwork, dissertation and examination in accordance with the rules pertaining to the modules and level at which they are studying. All outcome levels will follow a process of continuous assessment, and exams will be conducted on the completion of each module. These methods work to evaluate learner's knowledge and skills in accordance with the outcomes specified under section 9.

    On completion of both the undergraduate qualification and the various exit graduate levels, learners will compile a portfolio of all the work completed in the field of public policy. Assessment will incorporate an examination of learner's ability to apply their study to existing projects of policy analysis and implementation. At the Master's qualification outcome level, learners will be expected to complete a short dissertation which will have both a theoretical and applied dimension. All forms of assessment will be integrated and inter-module levels to form a cohesive matrix reflecting learner performance within the qualification as a whole. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Policy, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Social Science in Public Policy, 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.