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 Arts in Public Governance 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94122  Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Industrial & Organisational Governance and Human Resource Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  380  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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   2033-06-30  

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:
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance qualification provides an opportunity to promote the establishment of curricula that emphasise enquiry, innovation, and science within the environment of South Africa as a developmental state. It also develops healthy academic and social development, as well as important generic skills, such as problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking applied in more than one related field of study. A further purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates who can function as mid-level managers capable of and committed to excellence in governance through an understanding of the South African developmental state and its related public management functions. Students will be equipped with such essential knowledge and specific skills that they will be competent to perform not only generic but also sector specific management and leadership functions. The programme will enhance the employability of the graduates by preparing them for policing practice, management and development in the South African Police Service, Metro Police Service, Military Police and private security services and other related fields. Graduates will qualify to further their studies with either an Honours degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in the specialised field.

Rationale:
Public Governance is an important contributor to the realisation of South Africa as a developmental state. The Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance qualification provides appropriate programmes since with the design of the programmes of this qualification, consideration was given to employment possibilities and the labour needs of our country. The programmes also prepare the student for Postgraduate study in the different specialisations. There is a strong need to empower students with a broader range of fundamental skills so that they can also focus on related fields when furthering their studies with an Honours Degree.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed the need for a Degree that specialises in Policing Practice, but which also includes generic and sector specific management and leadership knowledge and skills. Such a qualification will contribute towards meeting the sector-specific needs for personnel with management skills and knowledge required within the broader South African Police Service, Metro Police Service, Military Police and private security institutions.

None of the SAQA-registered Degrees, however, focuses on management training and development generic to policing practices in South Africa. The proposed qualification, with its planned specialisation in police practice, will specifically aid the SAPS to increase the number of eligible SAPS members from its middle-management ranks to gain access to formal degree studies of which the curriculum aims to enhance best policing practice through management training and development. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of prior learning (RPL):
The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based- and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that recognition of prior learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and the awarding of credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme of the North-West University.

Formal prior learning:
Prior accredited learning at the FET or HET level in relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing units or modules, should be recognised if evidence can be produced that shows that the student has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for modules of the Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance and, if appropriate, allows the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, will be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel programmes after admission.

Entry Requirements:
Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (Vocational) with Bachelor's Degree pass.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • A Certificate of Exemption from the exemption requirements.

    Access to this qualification with specialisation in Police Practice is also open to students who have completed the National Diploma in Policing or an equivalent Level 5 qualification relevant to the field of Safety and Security. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance consists of 28 modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 380 credits.

    NQF Level 5 (11 modules totalling 132 credits):
  • Professional Skills Development, 12 Credits.
  • Communication Skills: Police Practice, 12 Credits.
  • Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
  • The South African Political System, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Sociology; Institutions and the South African Context, 12 Credits.
  • Foundations of Public Management, 12 Credits.
  • Policing Management: The Statutory and Regulatory Framework for the Policing Sector, 12 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Service Excellence in the Police, 12 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Crime Prevention, 12 Credits.
  • Locus and Focus of Public Management, 12 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Community Service Centre Management, 12 Credits.

    NQF Level 6 (8 modules totalling 124 credits):
  • The Anthropology of Development, 16 Credits.
  • Forensic Legal Aspects, 16 Credits.
  • Understanding the World, 12 Credits.
  • Forensic Investigation Management, 16 Credits.
  • Municipal Management, 16 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Leadership and Management, 16 Credits.
  • The Government and Sustainable Development, 16 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Cooperate Governance, 16 Credits.

    NQF Level 7 (9 modules totalling 124 credits):
  • Constitutional Law in Law Enforcement, 8 Credits.
  • Ethics in the Workplace, 12 Credits.
  • Administrative Law in Law Enforcement, 8 Credits.
  • Introduction to Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
  • Public Policy and Planning, 16 Credits.
  • Police Management: Performance Management, 16 Credits.
  • Public Financial Management, 16 Credits.
  • Public Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
  • Policing Management: Project Management, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    On completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance, a student should demonstrate:
    1. Integrated knowledge and understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, principles and procedures relevant to different fields of Public Governance, as well as the ability to evaluate and apply such knowledge to operate, manage and give leadership in a complex, developmental public sector environment, such as the South African Police Service and its related practices.
    2. Analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for solving complex problems relating to interpersonal work-related relationships, and relevant to the context of professional development within the different fields of Public Governance.
    3. The ability to select, evaluate and apply a range of practice-related and appropriate methods and procedures of enquiry to do focused research and resolve problems that will effect change within Public Governance practice.
    4. The ability to identify, analyse, critically reflect on and address complex managerial and leadership issues by applying practice-driven arguments.
    5. The ability to reflect on values and exhibit ethical conduct and justifiable decision-making appropriate within the practice of Public Governance.
    6. Accurate and coherent written and verbal communication of project information and practical solutions with understanding of and respect for intellectual property conventions, copyright and rules on plagiarism.
    7. The ability to manage a team, projects or processes in unfamiliar contexts in order to solve contextual issues in the sphere of Public Governance, monitoring progress and taking responsibility for task outcomes and application of appropriate resources.
    8. The ability to take responsibility for monitoring of own learning progress and application of relevant learning strategies to realise the outcomes of this qualification successfully. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The management of human, financial, physical and information resources through effective organisational relations and practices to achieve strategic goals is strategically discussed.
  • The ability to use organisational policies and procedures in planning, implementation and quality control practices to support decision-making is demonstrated.
  • Specialised managerial skills in accordance with legislation and policies to discuss and argue the management of the developmental public sector environment, such as the South African Police Service and its related practices are demonstrated.
  • The implementation of planned and reviewed interventions in accordance with operational strategies and concepts is argued.
  • Monitoring systems to ensure the effectiveness of operational planning and execution processes are suggested.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Sources of information are searched and validated under supervision.
  • Information is evaluated and managed.
  • Evidence for forensic and other purposes in accordance with relevant applicable policies is collected and managed.
  • Information in order to give guidance for investigations and problem solving is critically analysed.
  • Application of management strategies to achieve set objectives is suggested.
  • The ability to identify ethical issues and taking cognisance of the role of ethical value systems in the addressing thereof is demonstrated.
  • Sound ideas and insights and solutions to challenges as encountered in the field of specialisation are produced and communicated academically.
  • The ability to evaluate different scenarios displaying the capacity to correctly design suitable methods and solutions for specific problems is demonstrated.
  • The ability to use information to address interpersonal work-related relationship and management problems is demonstrated.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Discipline-related methods of inquiry are appropriately applied.
  • Operational plans to direct and optimise the utilisation of resources during practice-related operations are compiled.
  • Information systems to resolve problems that will effect change within Public Governance are effectively utilised.

    Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The ability to creatively respond to challenges in the field of specialisation by being able to critically review information, synthesising and analysing data, evaluating results and then manage processes to find solutions to problems is demonstrated.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The ability to take ethical decisions focusing on the immediate level of moral reasoning using ethical rules such as respect, fidelity, justice and social responsibility is demonstrated.
  • Ethical issues in Public Governance and specifically, policing practice, based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems are identified and addressed.
  • Conflicts about ethical principles and rules and theories applied in Public Governance are reflected upon and discussed.
  • Ethical theory and ethics in the practice of policing in the environment of Public Governance are applied.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Theory based opinions/ideas are communicated verbally and in writing.
  • Reports for a variety of audiences and purposes including in-house reports, strategic plans, programme update reports, submissions, statements from crime victims and complainants are written.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • The ability to function as a member and/or leader of a team or group in projects and investigations is demonstrated.
  • Partnerships with key stake holders, gate keepers and target group representatives are effectively developed.
  • Appropriate partnerships and collaborative actions with relevant organisations and agencies are established, managed and facilitated.
  • Culturally relevant and appropriate approaches with people from diverse cultural, socio-economic and educational background and persons of all ages, genders, health and sexual orientations and abilities are applied.

    Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development are developed.
  • The ability to operate independently and take full responsibility for his/her own work and where appropriate limited accountability for the decisions and actions of others is demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification employs formative, summative and integrated assessments throughout the three years of study, in the form of written tests, as well as practical assignments and examinations used in the various disciplines included in the qualification. The student's skills at communicating orally and in written format, using appropriate IT, are also assessed, as well as her/his computer literacy. Tests and assignments form 50% of the pass mark and the semester exam (1x3 hours) forms the other 50% of the pass mark of most modules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The SAQA level descriptors for HEQF level 7 were used to design the qualification standard. These Level Descriptors are internationally benchmarked criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.

    When considered from the structure, content, and orientation point of view, Bachelor of Arts Public Governance in Police Practice compares favourably with the Bachelor of Management (Policing) offered by the University of South Australia. Both programmes bring together elements of practical police work and management dimensions but with a strong leaning towards the management component.

    Conclusion:
    Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance is a new qualification in South Africa.

    It comes as a direct response to the identified need for such a programme by the SAPS.

    The structure of the qualification is in such a way that it comprehensively addresses both the practical and management aspects of the police work.

    The 28 modules offered compare favourably with the modules for Bachelor of Management (Policing) offered by the University of South Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts will provide the student with the opportunity to further his/her studies by enrolling for a Bachelor Arts Honours in Public Governance, or a cognate honours degree at NQF Level 8, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, also on NQF Level 8.

    The programme articulates horizontally with HEQSF Level 7 qualifications with Public Administration; Public Management or Police Administration/Management/Science component in it. It also articulates vertically with Bachelor of Arts Honours programmes with Public Administration/Management or Police Administration/Management/Science in them. 

    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 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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. North West University 


    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.