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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Population Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86212  Bachelor of Science Honours in Population Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Life 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 
Purpose:

To provide students with a broad foundation in the fundamentals of Demography and Population Studies, such as training students and interns in the measurement and recovery of vital rates, fertility, mortality and also to work with migration data. The degree would also equip students with the background to understand and make use of the many applications of Population Studies. Graduates would be equipped to enter development careers in the private and NGO sectors and enter government departments, especially the Department of Health and the Department of Population and Welfare and, of course, Stats SA.

Rationale:

All government departments need demographic data and to employ personnel with the skills required to gather and interpret them. The Bachelor of Science Honours: Population Studies will strive to provide the basic academic expertise for suitably trained graduates. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students should have a good understanding of research methods presentation, communication and mathematical skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Access to the programme can also be provided in terms of the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria as stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process students have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the student's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidate's interest in Structural Biology an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Access to the Qualification:

Rules of access and entry requirements for the programme, (learning assumed to be in place prior to entry into the programme):
  • Students must have obtained a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Mathematics Statistics or Social Sciences. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Science Honours: Population Studies, NQF Level 7, 120 credits.

    Curriculum:

    (8 modules of 15 credit points).

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Demography 701.
  • Demographic Analysis 707.
  • Official Statistics 703.
  • Research Methodology 702.
  • Survey Methods 706.

    Electives (any 3):
  • Biostatistics 733 (Stats Majors).
  • Applied Statistics 501 (non Stats Majors).
  • Mathematical Demography and Population Modelling 710.
  • Capita Selecta 790.
  • Gender Issues and Health 708.
  • Social Demography 709. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The programme is aimed at developing the following competences:

    1. Acquired basic theoretical and practical knowledge in demography according to approved assessment criteria.

    2. Acquired basic research skills to enable the student to be a life-long learner.

    3. The ability to communicate demographic knowledge in both written and oral form.

    4. Development of research skills in the discipline of demography via a guided research project.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display critical thinking.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, or organisation.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical, and/or language skills in the modes of written and/or oral presentation. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Population issues as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments modelling and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented. Furthermore, the student is expected to be able to work in a team environment and to be able to manage a project in this context.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The University adopted a Continuous Assessment System. Assessment consist of a number assessment events throughout the year and a variety of assessment instruments are used (for example, tests, essays, practical reports, project reports and oral presentations). 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications from the Flinders University were compared with common core and elective components of qualifications. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon completion a student will be eligible to apply for appropriate Master's-Level programmes. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The programme will be moderated via a system of external peer review and evaluation. The minimum qualifications for assessor will be a Master's Degree plus 3-5 years research experience in the specific focus area. 

    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. 

    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. University of the Western Cape 


    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.