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 in Human Settlement 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94599  Bachelor of Social Science in Human Settlement 
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(Min 480)  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Urban and Regional Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  520  Not Applicable  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   2034-06-30  

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:
This qualification has been partially benchmarked to the Bachelor of Human Settlements Development, SAQA ID number 58246, developed by the SGB for Housing. A significant difference is that this qualification is a 4-year professional undergraduate qualification and thus exits at NQF Level 8. The purpose of the qualification is to:
  • To equip students with the application of skills, knowledge and values to the creation of sustainable human settlements.
  • To equip students with the competencies to become human settlement practitioners and human settlement policy analysts, with a depth of theoretical knowledge which will enable them to understand how the past planning practices have influenced contemporary spatial forms.
  • To equip students with the practical and technical skills required to function with other professionals as part of a professional core within the field of Human Settlement.
  • To settlements that are sustainable and socially viable through the application of contextual knowledge and practical and professional skills.
  • To ensure that research and planning become vehicles for realising the integration of human settlements into the social and economic spheres, contributing to the dismantling of the legacies of apartheid.

    Rationale:
    Historically, the issue of human settlement has not been problematised in contemporary South African and scholarly work on issues in the post-colonial context is required. The rural location of Fort Hare and its particular history draws together African intellectuals who played leading roles in the struggle for political liberation. This encourages the University of Fort Hare to offer a particular perspective, viewing issues through an intellectual lens that is sensitive to the history and current realities of different genres of rural and urban space. The fundamental aim is to offer professional training that is closely related to special needs of those working in the field of human settlement, and for this reason the University of Fort Hare is working closely with the Department of Human Settlement towards the professionalisation of the field. Majors in the programme consist of Human Settlement and Sociology, providing a specific and unique intellectual identity that resonates with the institutional identity of Fort Hare.

    The conceptual and specific aims are as follows:
  • To professionalise the work conducted within the field of human settlement according to identified needs.
  • To engage with (actual) longitudinal implementation of policy (dealing with the legacy of apartheid laws, and addressing these through a legal framework and public administration initiatives).
  • To examine political and public administration projects and policies regulating land distribution and human settlement.
  • To engage with the conceptual and real diversity of South African rural and peri-urban areas which offer a variety of contexts in rural and urban spaces? 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Learners able to demonstrate competency through the formative and summative assessment processes attached to this qualification will receive Recognition of Prior Learning. It is assumed that candidates may have been performing duties that reflect competencies contained in this qualification at the workplace for many years without having received any formal qualification, as well as those who have undergone short courses or learning programmes in the field of housing that reflect learning outcomes and skills being developed could be recognised upon presenting evidence in a variety of ways as part of the requirements of integrated assessment. Such persons will through this qualification receive Recognition of Prior Learning to enable them to acquire this qualification wholly or in part.

    The Faculty has an RPL Committee that meets quarterly to review applications submitted to the University according to the RPL Policy. The committee makes recommendations concerning those who may be eligible for admission via RPL and advises these candidates on the process that will be most appropriate for their admission in terms of the nature of their previous learning and existing knowledge and skills (there are several possible procedures outlined in the attached policy).

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners must have accomplished either of the following to gain entry in the qualification:
  • National Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4.
    Or
    Any another comparable qualification recognised as equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 520 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Introduction to Human Settlement, 32 Credits.
  • Introduction to the Concept of Development, 32 Credits.
  • English for Special Purposes/Afrikaanse Taalvaardigheid/siXhosa, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Public Administration and Public Policy, 16 Credits.
  • Selected Themes and Policies in SA Political Economy, 16 Credits.
  • Life, Knowledge and Action, 16 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Apartheid, Urban Segregation and Bantustans, 32 Credits.
  • Sustainable Livelihoods and Human Settlement, 16 Credits.
  • Demographic Aspects of Social Development, 16 Credits.
  • Social Statistics, 32 Credits.
  • Introduction to the Law of Property, 16 Credits.
  • Land Use and Planning Law, 16 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Post-apartheid Transformations in Human Settlement, 32 Credits.
  • Environment and Society, 32 Credits.
  • Architectural Sociology, 16 Credits.
  • Geographic Information Systems, 8 Credits.
  • Research Methods in Human Settlement, 16 Credits.
  • Elements of Project Management; Elements of Financial Management, 16 Credits.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of Human Settlement Projects, 16 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 8:
  • Planning for Dynamic Human Settlements, 16 Credits.
  • Participatory Community Development Strategies, 16 Credits.
  • Experiential Learning, 32 Credits.
  • Housing Delivery Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Ethics for Human Settlement Practitioners, 16 Credits.
  • Research Project, 32 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply specific skills and technical competencies relevant to the field, accompanied by specialised knowledge, when dealing with the community, as a professional and as part of a team of professionals.
    2 Conduct oneself as a professional informed by knowledge of the historical context, a strong theoretical foundation and information gained through systematic research.
    3. Act in all instances in relation to community needs as informed by members of communities.
    4. Contribute to the unification of civil society through the development of a robust participation-based mode of operation.
    5. Contribute to the development, through a trans-disciplinary approach, of a new paradigm for knowledge production. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • As part of a team worked independently towards shared goals.
  • Responsibility for completion of specific, discrete components of a larger project is assumed.
  • Project goals and deadlines are interacted and communicated effectively with team members, community members and stakeholders.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are developed and cultivated.
  • Support is provided in the development and management of project plans.
  • Documents required in project management are sourced, compiled and collated.
  • Small, short-term sub-projects within the project plan are managed.
  • Project documentation management is undertaken.
  • Support in the preparation of financial statements is provided.
  • The responsibility to monitor expenditure for balanced budgets on small monthly projects is assumed.
  • Support in interactions with communities is provided.
  • Interactions with community members are planned and organised.
  • The ability to communicate effectively in both the academic and professional contexts is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Support in the implementation of government policy within the context of local authorities and municipalities are provided.
  • Relevant policy documentation are sourced, collated and made available as required.
  • The relevance of policy related to human settlement is explained to community members and stakeholders.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Workplace skills are developed to achieve technical targets whilst retaining the focus on overarching community goals.
  • The responsibility for maintaining communication with communities is undertaken.
  • Received feedback from community members and stakeholders is listened to and channel it to the appropriate party/ies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Theory and praxis concerning human settlement are merged.
  • Civic and moral responsibility is encouraged.
  • Human settlement patterns bequeathed created by apartheid policies are eradicated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • A body of data is gathered, analysed, interpreted, and presented to provide support in spatial planning around human settlement projects involving the use of GIS.
  • Small tasks are undertaken independently utilising GIS technology.
  • Support is provided in research undertaken in local projects.
  • Required data is gathered and arranged/coded for data analysis as according to research plans and briefs.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is of both a formative and summative nature. Formative assessment is carried out on a continuous basis and the final mark generated for formative assessment is combined with the summative assessment results to form 40% of the final mark.

    Formative assessment is carried out on a continuous basis, comprising a variety of individual and class activities aimed at correcting and reinforcing knowledge and skills.

    Summative assessments will contribute 50% of the final mark for each course.

    Summative assessment will comprise case studies, reports, presentations and tests, all of which will incorporate the application of relevant technology and the integration of disciplinary knowledge. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Given that the qualification is rooted within a socio-historical context that is unique to South Africa, and partially aligned to an existing qualification which has already drawn extensively from similar qualifications offered internationally. However, for the purpose of developing the technical and professional component of the qualification, research conducted by the World Bank Institute into trends and issues in human settlement in developing countries was utilised. Two qualifications were considered for the purpose of comparing the qualification with others internationally.

    Lincoln University offers a Bachelor of Land and Property Management. The qualification equips learners with knowledge in various aspects including principles of valuation, property management, building construction, property investment, property law and other property related subjects. It also offers learners the option to study urban property or rural property - providing graduates with a well rounded knowledge base upon which to begin a career in property, whether in New Zealand or internationally.

    The Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP), Faculty of the Social Sciences, of the premier University of Ibadan offers a Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. The qualification specialises in urban design and housing studies, environmental planning and management, community water and sanitation planning and indigenous knowledge systems.

    Conclusion:
    The present qualification compares favourably with the qualifications cited. The outcomes and the duration of the qualifications are similar. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Learners could potentially advance horizontally or vertically into related qualifications depending on the admission policies for these qualifications.

    Horizontally the qualification articulates with:
  • Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Human Settlement Development, at NQF Level 7.

    Vertically the qualification may articulate with the following:
  • Bachelor of Urban Development Studies Honours, at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Urban Studies, at NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, at NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Urban and Regional Planning, at NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    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. 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.