Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Police Science

Qualification code: 98683
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 14288
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
Students should note that during the course of their studies, they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet. Students must follow the same stream from level one throughout to level three. Some of the pre-requisites and/or co-requisites outlined in this qualification may not apply as they do not form part of the curriculum. Students who have passed phased out modules will retain the credit and do not need to pass the replacement modules. However, phased out modules must have been passed for this specific qualification and it does not necessarily mean the modules are equivalent. EUP1501 Students do not need to register for SJD1501. HRM2605 Students do not need to register for HRM2604. MNP2602 Students do not need to register for MNP2601. CIP2601 Students do not need to register for IOS2601. CSL2601 Students do not need to register for ADL2601. Students who have previously completed any GROUP of 5 electives on the second level for this qualification, do not need to complete SOC2604. BSM3701 Students do not need to register for MNP3703. MNP3702 Students do not need to register for MNP3701. CIP3701 Students do not need to register for CIV3701. CMP3701 Students do not need to register for CPR3701. EVI3702 Students do not need to register for LEV3701. PVL3702 Students do not need to register for MRL3701. PVL3701 Students do not need to register for MRL3702.
Purpose statement:
The purposes of this qualification include: - To familiarise learners with the content and basic theories of a number of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, at the basic and intermediate level, and to provide them with a deeper grasp of one or more of these disciplines taken at exit level (level 7), as well as to enable them to place new knowledge in context and to use appropriate methods for seeking resolution of problems; - To provide learners with a variety of basic scholarly and intellectual competencies, including the ability to question critically the assumptions of a limited range of theories and authorities, and to develop an understanding of elementary research methods used within one or more disciplines; - To equip learners with the ability to give an accurate account of scholarly positions and the competence to express their own opinions clearly and coherently, both in written and oral communication; - To prepare learners for post learner study; - To provide learners with a well-rounded and broad education across a number of disciplines, thus preparing them for a wide range of professions crucial to the welfare of society; - To produce learners who are able to think laterally, critically and creatively; - To produce learners who are prepared for life-long learning; - To produce learners who understand the principles of, and are capable of critical citizenship.
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 2024 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)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
OVM1501 - Investigative Principles for Policing IA
OVM1502 - Investigative Principles for Policing IB
POL1501 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IA
POL1502 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IB
SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
Group B: Management Stream. Choose 1 module from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
MNB1501 - Business Management IA
Group C: Public Administration. Choose 1 module from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
PUB1501 - The Nature, Content and Scope of Public Administration
Group D: Law Stream. Choose 1 module from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
Group E: Criminal Justice Stream. Choose 1 module from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
APC1501 - Political Evolution of the African State
CMY1501 - Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
EPP2601 - Applied Communication in Policing Module I Recommendation:Should be taken after ENG1503.
EPP2602 - Applied Communication in Policing Module 2
OVM2601 - Investigative Principles for Policing IIA Recommendation:Should be taken after OVM1501 & OVM1502
OVM2602 - Investigative Principles for Policing IIB Recommendation:Should be taken after OVM1501 & OVM1502.
POL2601 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IIA
POL2602 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IIB
RSC2601 - Research in Social Sciences
SOC2604 - Sociology of Families and Social Problems
Group B: Management Stream. Choose 4 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
HRM2604 - Performance Management Practices Pre-requisite:MNB1501 or BSM1501
MNB1601 - Business Management IB Pre-requisite:MNB1501
MNG2601 - General Management
MNP2601 - Purchasing Management Pre-requisite:MNB1601
Group C: Public Administration. Choose 4 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
PUB1601 - The Structuring and Functioning of Public Services Co-requisite:PUB1501
PUB2601 - Foundations of Public Administration Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2602 - Protection Services Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2604 - Welfare and Social Services Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
Group D: Law Stream. Choose 4 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
ADL2601 - Administrative Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2603 - Selected Topics of Criminal Law Recommendation:Should be taken after completing CRW1501
FUR2601 - Fundamental Rights Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
IOS2601 - Interpretation of Statutes Pre-requisite:ILW1501
Group E: Criminal Justice Stream. Choose 4 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
CMY2601 - Crime Risk Perspectives
CMY2602 - Principles of Crime Prevention, Reduction and Control
CMY2603 - Child and Youth Misbehaviour
CMY2604 - Dealing with Young Offenders

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
OVM3701 - Investigative Principles for Policing IIIA Recommendation:Should be taken after completing OVM2601 & OVM2602
OVM3702 - Investigative Principles for Policing IIIB Recommendation:Should be taken together with or follow on OVM2601 & OVM2602
POL3701 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IIIA
POL3702 - Crime Prevention Principles for Policing IIIB
SEP3707 - Criminal Justice Research Methodology
Group B: Management Stream. Choose 5 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
HRM3706 - Performance Management
MNG3701 - Strategic Planning IIIA Pre-requisite:MNG2601
MNG3702 - Strategic Implementation and Control IIIB Co-requisite:MNG3701
MNP3701 - Strategic Sourcing Pre-requisite:MNP2601
MNP3703 - Supplier Relationship Management Pre-requisite:MNP2601
Group C: Public Administration. Choose 5 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
PUB3701 - Public Management Skills Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB3702 - Public Human Resource Management Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB3703 - Public Policy Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB3704 - Organisational Studies in the Public Sector Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB3705 - Public Financial Administration and Management Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
Group D: Law Stream. Choose 5 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
CIV3701 - Civil Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & ADL2601
CPR3701 - Criminal Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501, PLS1502 & CSL2601
LEV3701 - Law of Evidence Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & CRW2601
MRL3701 - Insolvency Law Pre-requisite:MRL2601
MRL3702 - Labour Law Pre-requisite:ADL2601
Group E: Criminal Justice Stream. Choose 5 modules from one of the streams: Groups B, C, D or E
CMY3701 - The Explanation of Crime
CMY3702 - Crime Typologies
CMY3704 - Formal Reaction to Crime
CMY3705 - Victimology
CMY3706 - Contemporary Criminological Issues