Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies

Qualification code: 99303
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 101236
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
This qualification consists of 25 modules and Politics as the MAJOR. 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. 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.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is 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 via distance learning mode.

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

DVA1601 has been replaced by DVA1502, students who have already passed DVA1601 may not register
DVA1502.
ENN103F has been replaced by ENG1503, students who have already passed ENN103F may not register
ENG1503.

Second level

DVA3702 has been replaced by DVA2603, students who have already passed DVA3702 may not register
DVA2603.

ADL2601 pre-requisites are ILW1501 and SJD1501, however, these modules are not part of the
curriculum.

CSL2601 and FUR2601 pre-requisites are ILW1501 and PLS1502, however, these modules are not part of
the curriculum.

IOS2601 pre-requisite is ILW1501, however, this module is not part of the curriculum.

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
PLC2601 - Understanding Political Behaviour and Participation
PLC2602 - Politics and Public Policy
PSC2601 - South African Politics
RSC2601 - Research in Social Sciences
Group B. Select 3 from the following:
PUB2602 - Protection Services Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2603 - Creation of Wealth Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2604 - Welfare and Social Services Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2605 - Culture and Education Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
PUB2606 - Environmental Affairs Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601
Group C. Select 3 from the following:
ADL2601 - Administrative Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
COM2602 - Integrated Organisational Communication
COM2603 - Intercultural, Development and Health Communication
CSL2601 - Constitutional Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
ECS2601 - Intermediate Microeconomics Pre-requisite:ECS1501
ECS2602 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Pre-requisite:ECS1601
ECS2603 - South African Economic Indicators Pre-requisite:ECS1601
FUR2601 - Fundamental Rights Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
GGH2602 - The Geography of Services Provision
GGH2604 - People and the Environment
IOS2601 - Interpretation of Statutes Pre-requisite:ILW1501
SOC2602 - Globalisation and Social Change in South Africa Recommendation:Students to complete SOC1501 and/or SOC1502 before they enrol for this module.

Third level