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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94224  Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  384  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 purpose of this programme is to develop core competencies by focusing on learners' ability to exhibit previously learned concepts, facts, principles and theories in Public Administration as an art, science and field of practice. Learners must also be able solve problems in the theory and practice of Public Administration through application, analysis, illustrating and identifying complex problems that seek evidence-based solutions in the theory and practice of Public Administration.

In addition to that, learners must be able to examine and breakdown Public Administration concepts, facts, theories and practices and make inferences and find evidence from literature and practices to support and/or refute generalisations.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration is designed with a primary aim of producing well-rounded graduates, with a theoretical and knowledge foundation in Public Administration and Management, as a basis for enriching effective practice application.

The qualification was further designed with specific relevance to national needs to further develop skills and understanding of the role of public sector organisations in economic development and regeneration, citizenship issues in public organisations; the concepts, processes and institutions in the management of resources and operations; financing the public sector (sources, financial management, accountability and financial reporting); management and development of people within organisations, human resource management, human resource development and change management and the uses and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment.

The qualification will also develop graduates with a proven and sound management perspective in Public Administration and a sense of responsibility which are important attendants to knowledge acquisition especially in an applied science like Public Administration. Graduates of this qualification will serve as Public Servants, Managers, Policy Analysts and Advisors, Economists in the public sector, para-statals, Non-profit Organisations, Community-based Organisations, and Multilateral Institutions etc. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is applied using the institution's RPL policy which adheres to clearly stipulated criteria. The institution's admission policy, promotes access and equal opportunity to tertiary education at all levels through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied by requesting prospective RPL candidates to submit a portfolio comprising work related experiential work as profiles of work related short certificate (CE) courses. These will be assessed and admission determined accordingly in terms of the institution's policy and criteria on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirement:
Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate with Bachelor's Degree pass.
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
  • A Certificate of Exemption from the exemption requirements.
  • Mature age exemption from the exemption requirements (i.e. turning the age 23 years old during the year of first registration and must have obtained 40% in four Senior Certificate subjects including one on higher grade), in addition to this requirement, two languages must have been passed. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration consists of 13 modules totalling 384 credits at Levels 5, 6 and 7.

    NQF Level 5 (4 modules totalling 128 credits):
  • Introduction to Public Administration, 32 credits.
  • Public Community Leadership, 32 credits.
  • Local Government Administration, 32 credits.
    Elective modules: Choose one from three below:
  • Industrial Psychology 1, 32 credits.
  • Business Management 1, 32 credits.
  • Economics 1, 32 credits.

    NQF Level 6 (4 modules totalling 128 credits):
  • Introduction to Research Methodology in Public Administration, 32 credits.
  • Public Human Resource Management, 32 credits.
  • Introduction to Public Finance, 32 credits.
    Elective modules: Choose one from three below:
  • Industrial Psychology 2, 32 credits.
  • Economics 2, 32 credits.
  • Development Economics 2, 32 credits.

    NQF Level 7 (5 modules totalling 128 credits):
  • Public Policy, 32 credits.
  • Ethics in Public Administration, 32 credits.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation in the Public Sector, 32 credits.
    Elective modules: Choose two from three below:
  • Economics 3, 16 credits.
  • Business Management 3, 16 credits.
  • Industrial Psychology 3, 16 credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge in the sub-fields of Public Administration or practices, including an understanding of and an ability to apply and evaluate key terms, concepts, facts principles, and theories in Public Administration.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods and traditions of inquiry and knowledge creation in the theory and practice of Public Administration to resolve problems and introduce change to practices in the public sector.
    3. Demonstrate an ability to take decisions and act ethically and professionally and understanding of the distinctive nature of public administration in terms of specific, identified guidelines; normative values and ethical principles.
    4. Demonstrate an ability to identify the nature and place of administration in governance and take full responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and limited accountability for decisions and actions of others in varied contexts.
    5. Demonstrate an ability to develop and communicate ideas and opinions in well-informed arguments using appropriate academic and professional discourse in Public Administration. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Principles, theories and facts are described and explained in individual and group assignments.
  • Concepts are defined.
  • Content of Public Administration (locus and focus) is communicated both orally and in writing using appropriate disciplinary conventions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Different sources of information are synthesised, analysed and evaluated in groups and written tests.
  • An understanding of the public administration environment as well as the South African, governmental, judicial and administrative institutions and their functions is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The normative values and ethical principles to indicate the distinctiveness of Public Administration as a field of study and practice are identified and discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The nature of administration is identified, described and explained.
  • The multifaceted character of administrative behaviour in the public sector is reflected upon.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level outcome 5:
  • Content of Public Administration (locus and focus) is communicated both orally and in writing.
  • Group discussions and class discussions as well as case studies and research exercises are conducted.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Bachelor Admin in Public Administration is an academic qualification which embraces the principles of academic excellence and it employs rigorous assessment methods and tools to assess learner progress. Case studies, assignments and research projects form part of the assessment regime. These assessments are conducted at both practical and theoretical levels. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to similar undergraduate qualifications offered in other universities internationally, for example, the Bachelor of Science in Administration offered in the Faculty of Social Studies at the University of Zimbabwe and the Bachelor of Public.

    Administration offered by the School of Public Policy and Administration at York University in Canada.

    The content and focus of the qualifications cited correspond, in terms of the listed modules, to the Bachelor of Administration.

    Conclusion:
    Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration offers an academic platform for aspirant public servants and for those who are already functionaries in the Public Sector. The programme is designed in such a way that both the Administration and Commercial components are given principal focus.

    Internationally the programme compares favourably with other qualifications of similar structure and orientation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration articulates horizontally with other HEQSF Level 7 registered qualifications with Public Administration as a major subject. It also articulates vertically with HEQSF Level 8 registered qualifications with Public Administration as a major subject or any other equivalent subject as per institutional faculty requirements. 

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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 Fort Hare 


    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.