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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99212  Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  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   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:
The purpose of the qualification largely to provide not only knowledge that is very specific to the sub-discipline of International Relations but also advanced learning to those learners who wish to work in governments and internationally, in diplomatic missions, inter-governmental organisations, multinational companies, and International Non-Governmental Organisations. Essentially, the qualification is more specialised than, for example, Political Science, and would serve to further enhance the learner's competence in the area of International Relations (involving governments, Multinational Corporations (MNC), Intergovernmental Organisations (IGO) and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGO). This is at the heart of the difference between International Relations as a field of study and Political Science as a more general and umbrella area of study. Thus, this qualification will contribute towards the reduction of the current scarcity in South Africa of learners skilled in the area of International Relations. The qualification also provides a route of access to postgraduate study and further research in the field of International Relations. A huge need exists at present in South Africa, as well as in much of the rest of Africa, to develop people who are knowledgeable, not only in the general field of International Relations, but who also understand Africa's tenuous position and needs within a world of rapid globalisation, with simultaneous technological and economical bifurcation that tends to leave Africa further behind.

Rationale:
The qualification seeks to prepare learners who can fit into national diplomatic missions and help meet significant shortages among diplomatic personnel. To prepare learners who can successfully take up further research in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across Africa by preparing learners who can function in the evolving and growing world of non-governmental organisations. The Bachelor of Arts Honours in International Relations is an important initial base for professional development in the field. Learners would be able to enter at various levels of professional work and in different levels of government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), or the private sector. With backgrounds in the general field of Political Science and cognate disciplines in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, the average learner would be able to make useful contributions at the entry or low-management levels of professional employment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The admission requirement for the qualification is an undergraduate Degree. However, the department is guided by the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL1.05 of June 2016). In the field of International Relations, there are students with prior exposure before taking formal studies and are considered for enrolling for the honours qualification. An example is of a candidate with training in Technikons institution and had worked in an internal relations office handling practical issues in the field. However, in terms of the normal admission policies, she fell short of the requirements. But her practical experiences were considered and ended up getting placement in the qualification because of RPL.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 100 Credits:
  • Research Methods, 25 Credits.
  • International Organisations, 20 Credits.
  • Research Project, 30 Credits.
  • South Africa's Foreign Policy, 25 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8, 20 Credits (Select/choose one module):
  • Strategic Studies: Conflict Management, 25 Credits.
  • Advanced Studies: Africa and the World, 25 Credits.
  • Public Policy Analysis, 20 Credits.
  • African Political Philosophy, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate the capacity to design, conduct and write up research.
    2. Demonstrate ability to master and articulate concepts and theories in the field of international relations.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to write a dissertation that is linguistically, technically and scientifically correct.
    4. Apply knowledge of Politics and International Relations to solve contending global challenges. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify a research problem in the discipline of International Relations and formulate a research proposal.
  • Formulate a research assumption to be tested or examined.
  • Select and utilise research instruments that are relevant to the research project.
  • Report research findings of the investigation and formulate recommendations that emanate from the findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Critically read, interpret and analyse literature from different sources on the topic under research;
  • Draw conclusions from different readings and indicate anomalies;
  • Create a theoretical framework provided by the literature review;
  • Compile a complete bibliography/list of references.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Write a dissertation that shows that the learner can express himself/herself clearly;
  • Write a dissertation that is linguistically correct and of an acceptable standard;
  • Write a dissertation that is technically and scientifically acceptable to the examiners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Choose a contemporary theme dealing with world problem such as war, topic related to problem in the global scene and look at mechanism of solving or suggesting possible solutions to such problems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment is appropriately incorporated to achieve the purpose of the qualification. Modules in the qualification are independently assessed in both formative ways (through class work, tests, essays, other written work and, where appropriate, practical exercises) and summative ways (written, oral and practical examinations). In some cases, journals, oral presentations and portfolios of work provide additional forms of assessment. In the case of this Bachelor Honours Degree qualification, the substantial research component constitutes a summative test of the learner's capabilities in international relations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with what other international institutions of higher learning are offering. Thematic areas broadly covered include Peace, Conflict studies, Security, Global International Trade, Human Security and International Cooperation. Similarly, these themes are also offered in other institutions such as Queens University of Australia, University of London and the University of Zimbabwe as well as the University of Lesotho. Governance, International Law, Humanitarian Affairs, International Political Economy, 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical and horizontal articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Administration in International Relations, Level 9.
  • Master of Arts in International Relations, Level 9. 
    		•

    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 Venda 


    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.