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Bachelor of Information Science

Qualification code: 90188
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 480
SAQA ID: 122538
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
This qualification consists of 37 modules. Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Information Science qualification is to equip learners with appropriate and relevant skills, knowledge, competencies, attitudes, and values to become information and knowledge professionals, and to deliver comprehensive information services in diverse environments within the knowledge economy. Learners should be reflective and responsive to and function effectively and efficiently in rapidly changing environments. The qualification will equip well-rounded learners with the knowledge base, theory, concepts, principles, methodology and ethics related to Information Science. Learners should be able to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional context. In this qualification, learners will explore current trends, practices, legislation, strategies, and debates that inform and shape professional practice within information and knowledge environments. Upon completion of this qualification, learners will be able to: * Analyse trends, debates, philosophies, and concepts associated with the information phenomenon. * Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of diverse information environments. *Implement professional guidelines to create, select and acquire appropriate information and knowledge resources according to identified user needs. *Organise knowledge and information resources according to the standards of the information and knowledge profession. * Implement appropriate strategies to facilitate access to and retrieval of information and knowledge related to user needs. * Implement appropriate technologies to solve problems within the information and knowledge environments.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
COM2612 - Brand Communication
INS2611 - Descriptive Cataloguing
INS2612 - Classification of Information Sources
INS2613 - Taxonomy of Literacies (offered from 2027)
INS2614 - Reference Services (offered from 2027)
INS2615 - Scholarship and Publishing in Information Science (offered from 2027)
INS2616 - Fundamentals of Database Design and Information Systems in Information Services (offered from 2027) Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete the End-user Computing and Introduction to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Information Environments (EUP1501) on NQF Level 5 before enrolling for this module.
INS2617 - Indigenous Knowledge Systems (offered from 2027)
INS2618 - Information Behaviour II (offered from 2027) Recommendation:It is recommended that students successfully complete the Information Behaviour 1 module before registering for this module (INS1515)
INS2619 - Fundamentals of Research Methodology in Information Science
Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
COM3715 - Global Communication (Offered from 2026)
INS3711 - Advanced Descriptive Cataloguing Pre-requisite:INS2611
INS3712 - Advanced Classification of Information Sources Pre-requisite:INS2612
INS3713 - Computer coding and programming applications in Information Services (offered from 2028) Recommendation:The completion of the Fundamentals of Database Design and Information Systems in Information Services module on NQF Level 6 (INS2616) may be advantageous before enrolling for this module.
INS3714 - Strategic Management Practices in Information Services
INS3715 - Information Management Recommendation:Fundamentals of Management in Information Services (NQF Level 5) (INS1514)
INS3716 - Information and Knowledge Entrepreneurship (offered from 2028) Recommendation:Fundamentals of Management in Information Services (NQF Level 5) (INS1514)
INS3717 - Collection Development and Management (offered from 2028) Recommendation:It is recommended that students enrol for and complete the Information Behaviour I (INS1515) and Information Behaviour II (INS2618) modules before enrolling for this module.
INS3718 - Research Methodology in Information Science Pre-requisite:INS2619
INS3719 - Research data management (offered from 2028) Pre-requisite:INS2619
Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
INS4811 - Verbal Subject Description/Organisation
INS4812 - Augmented Technologies in Information Services Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete the Computer Coding and Programming Applications in Information Services on NQF Level 7 (INS3713) before enrolling for this module.
INS4813 - Web Technology and Design Recommendation:It is recommended that students complete the module Computer Coding and Programming Applications in Information Services before enrolling for this module - INS3713
INS4814 - Knowledge Management
INS4815 - Research Data Analysis in Information Science Pre-requisite:INS3718
INS4816 - Research Report in Information Science Pre-requisite:INS3718
INS4817 - Information Services Practicum Pre-requisite:INS3711, INS3712, INS3713, INS3714, INS3715, INS3716; INS3717, INS3718 & INS3719