IIE Bachelor of Arts

Please note, not all programmes are available on all IIE Varsity College campuses. To find out if your programme of interest is available, contact the campus directly.

Course Information
  • Course: Degree
  • Mode: Full Time (Minimum 3 Years)
  • NQF Level: 7
  • Credits: 360
  • SAQA ID: 94119
  • 2024 Fees: Click to view

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The IIE Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is a broad-based Arts degree that focusses on ‘the art of learning’. The IIE BA degree provides students with a choice of two of the following three core disciplines namely: English, Psychology and Communication Science. In the second year, students studying this BA degree will need to select two of the core disciplines, and these two subject areas will be the focus of the students’ third year of study. The subject combinations on offer are:

  • English and Communication Science, or
  • English and Psychology, or
  • Communication Science and Psychology.

The IIE Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree will qualify its graduates to work in a variety of sectors and organisations. Graduates will be equipped with advanced written and spoken skills, conceptual and critical thinking skills, as well as general communication skills valued by all employers and needed in all organisations.

The IIE BA degree is a three year degree. The academic year runs from February to November. The modules are delivered on a full-time basis with lectures and tutorials being scheduled during the day from Monday to Friday.

Minimum AdmissionRequirements English Notes
NSC: Bachelor
pass with		 60%  
NC (V):
Bachelor pass
with		 60%  
SC:
Endorsement
with		 60%  
SC(a): Bachelor
pass with		 60%  
International:
An USAf Exemption Certificate to degree studies with 60% or equivalent
for English.		    
A cognate Higher Certificate or 240 credit Diploma OR
an Advanced Certificate or 360 credit Diploma may
satisfy the minimum admission requirements to degree
studies.		 If discipline not cognate at least
20% of credits must be academic
literacy or numeracy related.		  
 
Alternate Admission:
(Should the English requirement not be met at NSC Grade 12, then entrance may be granted if the English requirement is met based on the Grade 11 final mark.)		   NSC Notes
English 50-
59%		 If 60% min in Grade 11 result was achieved
Senate Discretionary Admissions:
Mature Age
Exemption		 Candidates having attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration
with a Senior Certificate with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade
subjects, at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and one of which
shall be a recognised higher-grade subject; OR Candidates must have attained the age of
45 before or during the first year of registration.

An USAf Exemption Certificate is required.
Senate Discretionary Mature Age Admission for students with a Senior Certificate with endorsement Candidates 23 years and older at point of registration, with an endorsed Senior Certificate can be accepted on a senate discretionary mature age admission if they do not meet the additional admission requirements. Their academic progress will be tracked and reported at Senate. An USAf Exemption Certificate is not required.
Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL)		 Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, The IIE may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).
USAf approved
cognate foundation
programme		 Candidates who have completed an USAf approved cognate foundation programme from a registered and accredited provider may be admitted. The additional English criteria falls away. An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.
Transfer students Candidates who have successfully completed at least 120 credits on the first year of a cognate degree may be admitted. However, if a student completed less than 120 credits, the admission criteria on the NSC or equivalent apply.
OQSF qualifications Candidates with an OQSF Level 5 cognate qualification may be admitted, provided the OQSF qualification has at least 120 credits at NQF Level 5. An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.


The IIE Bachelor of Arts degree is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) as a 366-credit qualification on level 7 (SAQA ID: 94119).

This degree will open up an attractive range of career options; this degree is an ideal stepping stone to a diverse and exciting range of business-related career opportunities that include: English and Communication Science Core Discipline:

  • Authority/Writing
  • Script writing
  • Subediting
  • Programme coordination
  • Scribing
  • Programme coordination
  • Relationship management
  • Media consulting
  • News consulting
  • Proof reading
  • Social media communication
  • Journalism
  • Communication accounts administration
  • Communication consulting
  • Research communication management
  • Teaching (will require postgraduate study)

English and Psychology Core Discipline:

  • Authoring/Writing
  • Script writing
  • Subediting
  • Editing
  • Scribing
  • Counselling (will require postgraduate study)
  • Proof reading
  • Social media communication
  • Journalism
  • Psychologist (will require extensive postgraduate study)
  • Teaching (will require postgraduate study)

Communication Science and Psychology Core Discipline:

  • Journalism
  • Relationship management
  • Research communication management
  • Social media management
  • Communication consulting
  • Communication accounts administration
  • Media consulting
  • Psychologist (will require extensive postgraduate study)
  • Teaching (will require postgraduate study)
  • Counselling (will require postgraduate study)

At The IIE’s Varsity College we are proud of and passionate about our shift away from the ‘traditional lecturing’ methodology to our blended-learning strategy – the VC Blend.

This blended-learning strategy extends learning beyond the confines of the classroom and creates opportunities for our students to work collaboratively, with peers and their educators, to construct their understanding of concepts. Student engagement is supported by the use of a learning management system (LMS) and the online learning materials that have been developed to underpin our teaching strategy.

Due to the VC Blend approach, you will be expected to spend time conducting your own research, study for assessments and work on assignments. To gain the most from the blended learning experience, VC’s Wireless classrooms and campuses, students are required to BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) such as mobile devices, netbooks, laptops or tablets, etc. so as to develop the necessary academic and digital literacies over the three years of this qualification.

This student-focused approach compels our students to be accountable for their learning while developing the critical skills they will need to thrive in the rapidly changing 21st century work environment.

As such, academic life for our students is dynamic, challenging and relevant.

The IIE Bachelor of Arts degree is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and is registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at level 7 - the same level as other equivalent undergraduate degrees at South African universities. The opportunity to apply for a postgraduate certificate/diploma or Honours degree at The IIE, any South African university or higher education institution exists subject to meeting specific programme entrance requirements.

It is important to remember that your academic results remain a key factor when applying for further studies.

Call your nearest IIE Varsity College campus to discuss your career options with one of our Student Advisors.

The IIE is not only accredited in South Africa but its dedication to providing quality education also led to it being accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) in 2014. The British Accreditation Council is an independent authority in the United Kingdom that accredits private providers globally, including Greece, Switzerland, Singapore, India, Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates. In 2017 The IIE had its accreditation status confirmed by the BAC as an Independent Higher Education Institution confirming our confidence in the international comparability of our standards.

South African students need to know, when they select a private higher education institution, that the standards offered are equivalent to those of a public University. Our students get this from our extensive local accreditation and registration. The students also benefit from knowing that we meet international standards too. The IIE is accredited as an Independent Higher Education Institution by the British Accreditation Council. Locally and internationally we have demonstrated the quality of what we offer.

The IIE’s Varsity College students can be confident that their IIE learning experience meets international best practice standards.