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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Community Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97260  Bachelor of Community Development 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  488  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:
The primary purpose of this qualifications is to provide a well-rounded, broad education that equips learners with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of related disciplines and community development as a field of study. The qualification will provide learners with community development theoretical knowledge and practical skills since it is a requirement for one to be able to facilitate activities that will enable households and communities to manage their own development to achieve sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the qualification is intended for Community Development Practitioners who are required to facilitate collective processes in a community to effect psycho, social and economic development. Furthermore, the qualification will inculcate the following attributes within learners' accountability, responsibility and being ethical.
Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Communicate the information both verbally and in writing to a range of audiences and stakeholders with regard to specific development-related issues in specific contexts.
  • Conduct a research on community development with relevance to a specific context.
  • Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and review complex community development related information in order to conceptualise a problem and produce an evidence based argument or solution to a community development situation.
  • Apply knowledge of the regulatory environment to mobilise a community to operate within the regulatory framework in relation to the context.
  • Execute developmental programmes and projects in dealing with a community development context.
  • Apply knowledge of the interdependent relationships between individuals, families, groups/organisations to facilitate processes.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of responsibility and accountability within own scope of practice in a community development context.

    Rationale:
    The Bachelor of Community Development, at NQF Level 8 is a professional Degree that emphasises an integrated and holistic approach to community development. The qualification will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and values needed to enhance the integration of all community development stakeholders for effective community development. It ensures that Community Development Practitioners will have a level of authority, responsibility and status within a regulated framework and work with the Institute for Local Government Management South Africa (ILGMSA) Professional Body to facilitate the processes that will enable stakeholders and communities to participate in integrated planning processes and collective actions. The qualification will also empower local communities and strengthen the capacity of people as active citizens through their communities, organisations and networks. It also seeks to capacitate institutions and agencies to work in dialogue with citizens to shape and determine change in their communities. The community development processes involve members of a community in their own development and also aims to enhance the capacity of the community to respond to its collective needs and resources. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Applicants may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credits towards the qualification as set out by the university.

    Entry Requirements:
    For admission to this qualification, learners are required to have the following in order to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate allowing entry to Bachelors' Degree studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate with endorsement.
    Or
  • The National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4 allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.
    Or
  • A Degree in Social Sciences.
    Or
  • A Diploma. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 488 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 5, 80 Credits:
  • English Academic Skills, 32 Credits.
  • Introduction to Politics, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Sociological Imagination, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Community Development, 16 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 6, 168 Credits:
  • Social Institutions and Social Change, 16 Credits.
  • Community Development: Method and Analysis, 16 Credits.
  • The Sociology of Developing Societies (Intro), 16 Credits.
  • Community Development: Participatory and Creative approaches - Philosophy and Techniques, 24 Credits.
  • Community Development Practical 1, 16 Credits.
  • Community Development: Leadership, Governance and Conflict in Practice, 16 Credits.
  • Developmental Psychology, 16 Credits.
  • Social Entrepreneurship, 16 Credits.
  • Governance and Political Transformation in Africa, 16 Credits.
  • Industrial Sociology, 16 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 7, 104 Credits:
  • Sociological Theory, 16 Credits.
  • Community Development: Setting, Directions and Pathways for Practice, 32 Credits.
  • Social Psychology, 8 Credits.
  • Social Research and Practice, 6 Credits.
  • Community Development Practical 2, 32 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 8, 136 Credits.
  • Community Development: Community-Based Education and Training Approaches, 16 Credits.
  • The Sociology of Developing Societies (Advanced), 24 Credits.
  • Community Development Work placement, 32 Credits.
  • The Sociology of Population and the Environment, 24 Credits.
  • Community Development Practical 3 (Action-Research Project), 40 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate the information both verbally and in writing to a range of audiences and stakeholders with regard to specific development-related issues in specific contexts.
    2. Conduct a research on community development with relevance to a specific context.
    3. Analyse, synthesise, evaluate and review complex community development related information in order to conceptualise a problem and produce an evidence based argument or solution to a community development situation.
    4. Apply knowledge of the regulatory environment to mobilise a community to operate within the regulatory framework in relation to the context.
    5. Execute developmental programmes and projects in dealing with a community development context.
    6. Apply knowledge of the interdependent relationships between individuals, families, groups/organisations to facilitate processes.
    7. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of responsibility and accountability within own scope of practice in a community development context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate for the audience and purpose of the communication is correctly used.
  • Professional, accurate, coherent and correct communication is used in terms of style, tone and sensitivity to language is taken into consideration.
  • Active listening skills are demonstrated in individual and group situations and information is recorded accurately, concisely and coherently.
  • Knowledge of current events, issues and affairs reported in the media is interpreted and assessed for relevance and is applied at local level where appropriate.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Knowledge of research designs and methodologies is applied to research in a community development context.
  • Community-based research is conducted to profile a community and inform a programme or collective action.
  • A research report is compiled based on actual research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The theory of practice is applied when interacting with the community.
  • Theories and philosophies are applied to a variety of community development contexts.
  • Concepts of community development are explained and used appropriately in context.
  • Historical and contemporary contexts of community development are discussed with reference to how the contexts to give meaning to the community development concepts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Legislation, policies and international conventions are analysed and interpreted for application and/or compliance in a specific context.
  • The processes through which legislation and policies are formulated is explained with reference to how individuals and communities can be involved in and/or influence the processes.
  • Social policies relevant to community development are analysed in terms of the inter-relationship between the policies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Change is facilitated by designing and implementing development programmes and projects.
  • The practical skills of project management is attained the community development initiatives are implemented.
  • Methods, skills and techniques for working with communities are demonstrated in a variety of community development situations or contexts.
  • Theories and techniques of leadership and management are investigated for relevance in variety of community development situations.
  • Participatory approaches are applied to a community development process.
  • A Community Development process is applied to empower a local community to strengthen the capacity of people as active citizens and to shape and determine change in the community.
  • Theories of organisational development are explained for a community development context.
  • Knowledge of financial management and business economics is applied to the community development cycle.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Social dynamics within the various systems in a community are analysed in order to facilitate change or build community capacity.
  • Social systems, human development and behaviour are understood and applied in order to build interdependent relationships in a community context.
  • Institutions and organisations that provide resources for the facilitation of community development are consulted for a specific context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • The roles and responsibilities of community development practitioners are explained with reference to scope of practice and avenues for referral.
  • The consequences of contravening the code of practice and professional code of ethics d are understood.
  • Skills and techniques for personal development and awareness are explored with a view to developing personal capacity.
  • A code of conduct for community development practitioners is analysed and discussed in terms of how the code should affect own practice.
  • The role of supervision in community development practice is discussed with reference to self, own roles and responsibilities.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The Bachelor of Community Development will assess applied competences through clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria according to institutional assessment policy. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual students and/or groups of students in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

    For summative assessments, learners are subjected to two examination sessions, focusing not only on theoretical knowledge, but also on the integration of knowledge and competencies during practical examination sessions. Apart from written and practical examinations, learners are required to engage in a research project and to submit an extended research report. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Undergraduate qualifications in community development in Australia offer the best comparison to the South African Qualification and there are synergies with some Scottish qualifications. The proposed qualification is modelled on the rationale and module outlines of Universities such as Murdoch University in Australia and Glasgow University in Scotland.

    The Community Development qualification offered by Murdoch University in Australia has similarities in terms to the purpose of this qualification. The qualification offered by Murdoch University is designed to develop knowledge of social research and community participatory methods. The qualification combines the study of community development theory, settings and policy formation with the development of knowledge and skills in community planning, research methods and program evaluation.
    On the other hand, Glasgow University in Scotland offers a Community Development Degree where comparisons can be drawn in terms of the module outline. Of importance is the placement that provides learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their competence as a worker in a different setting, thereby demonstrating the transferability of their skills. Similarly this qualification has practical work and workplace learning as important components. This is important for the development of competencies to integrate conceptual issues and practical dimensions of community development practice.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with other international qualifications. The comparison reveals that the rationale and the modules of this qualification have a similar focus. The qualification is important for the development of competencies to integrate conceptual issues and practical dimensions of community development practice. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides the following possible articulation opportunities:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Social Work.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • As this is a qualification with at NQF Level 8, it may meet the minimum requirements for admission to the following Masters qualifications: Community Development, Development Studies, Gender studies, Africa Studies at NQF Level 9 depending on the rules of the selected Higher Education Institution. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 the Free State 


    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.