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
84748  Bachelor of Social Science Honours 
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 
To achieve proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at all undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the general field of the social sciences.

The aim is to realize graduates who are equipped with generic skills and have acquired substantial knowledge in a range of disciplines, that will enable them not to have an enhanced understanding of their society and the world, but will also prepare them to embark on a career and to create opportunities for themselves. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
At least a good second class level (more than 60%) record of achievement in obtaining a Bachelors degree from a recognized university; or a substantial equivalent deemed adequate by the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • To gain a thorough understanding of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, structures and trends pertaining to the social sciences, especially in relation to South Africa and comparable societies.
  • To comprehend different qualitative and quantitative research methods, techniques and methodologies applicable to the social sciences.
  • To have achieved an acceptable level of proficiency in key basic and generic skills: information literacy; written and spoken English.
  • To have acquired a critical awareness and capacity for research so as to be able to investigate and understand issues, problems and trends in the social sciences. Independent and original research that can advance scholarship would be the ideal here.
  • To present research findings that meet appropriate academic and professional standards.
  • To become a scholar: to inculcate a passion for learning, and to appreciate the necessity for accuracy, honesty, fairness, generosity, and integrity.
  • To appreciate the virtues of being an independent learner, as well as the value in cooperating and collaborating with others.
  • To respond to the challenges of democracy and development in South Africa. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Knowledge of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures, and trends pertaining to the social science.
  • Competence in presenting arguments, data analysis, reports and other written and oral assignments.

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

    Exercises (research methods, policy designs)
    Visual material
    Oral presentation
    Essays
    Reports
    Portfolios
    Research project, dissertation, thesis
    Examinations

    These are the various methods that will be deployed. Different assignments are assessed differently in a system of continuous assessment. The final examination of modules is holistic, seeking to see how learners are able to integrate content and skills more generally. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Entry and Exit
    Exit points:
    Bachelor's degree; Postgraduate diploma; Honours degree; Masters degree; PhD

    Credits obtained for modules could readily be granted in other programmes; and qualifications acquired could be used as a means of entry to another programme.

    Entry to the programme at any level is possible, provided the requirements for admission have been met. In some instances, it will be possible for learners to given the opportunity to attain the entry requirements should their prior qualifications not have enabled them to do that.


    Other programmes

    On the Pietermaritzburg campus, links at various levels with other programmes in:

    General Studies (Arts)
    Government, Business and Ethics
    Heritage Studies
    Information Studies
    P and Development Studies
    African Studies
    Environment and Development
    Nutrition
    Food Security
    Education
    Business
    Psychology
    Rural Community (Systems) Development 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal and external examining, which is supplemented by a review process of higher degrees carried out by the Faculty of Human Sciences. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Until the HEQC establishes a registration system for assessors in the HET Band, the University of KwaZulu-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), staffs 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 diplomacy expertise and subject to the approval of Faculty Boards. The University of KwaZulu-Natal ruling is that 66 % of all assessments at exit level, i.e. leading to qualifications are externally examined. 

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

    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
    117553  Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Digital Arts  University of KwaZulu-Natal  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120  2018-12-31    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.