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: Degree
- Mode: Distance (Minimum 4 Years)
- NQF Level: 7
- Credits: 360
- SAQA ID: 94119
- 2024 Fees: Click to view
The IIE Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree (distance) is a broad-based Arts degree that focuses on ‘the art of learning and critical thinking’. The IIE BA degree provides students with a choice of two of the following three core disciplines namely: English, Psychology and Communication Science. On registration, at the beginning of their second year, students studying this BA degree will need to select two of the core disciplines which will become the focus of their studies. The subject combinations on offer are:
- English and Communication Science, or
- English and Psychology, or
- Communication Science and Psychology.
| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 360-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: such as Authoring/Writing, Proof reading and Journalism.
- English and Psychology Core Discipline: such as Subediting, Scribing and Social media communication.
- Communication Science and Psychology Core Discipline: such as Relationship management, Media consulting and Communication accounts administration
The modules are presented via a distance mode of delivery; supported by online mediation sessions. Students will be required to complete various forms of assessments and activities; different assessment approaches are integrated throughout all modules on the programme. Informed by the principle of flexibility, a selection of modules will be offered each semester to accommodate a study journey to suit the personal needs of the student within the qualification progression rules. The curriculum below is correct at the time of print. Please note that in line with academic practice, The IIE’s curriculum is reviewed annually thus changes may occur in module structure and sequence in order to ensure that the qualification remains relevant. The exit level outcomes of the programme do not change. Registered students receive an updated programme curriculum on an annual basis.
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
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.
The IIE’s Varsity College Exam Centres
Eight IIE Varsity College Campus exam centres are available within South Africa for selection as the exam centre at which you would write exams. You will receive operational support from the Online Centre.
Alternative Venues
An alternative examination centre is only permissible for international students and those located in a province of South Africa where there is no IIE campus. It is your responsibility to identify an examination centre (educational or religious site or embassy or consulate) if you have not already done so. Once you have secured your examination venue, we require a letter confirming availability from the examination centre you have chosen. If a change of examination venue is required – it is again the student’s responsibility to locate a new venue and provide the confirmation letter together with the supporting documentation which details the reason for the examination venue change. Students registered in the distance mode must select an Examination Centre at which to undertake the sit-down summative assessments per module. These are usually scheduled at the close of each semester. A student based in South Africa may select any campus of The IIE’s Varsity College, Rosebank College, Vega, or IIE MSA as their Examination Centre. If there is no IIE campus within reach of the student, an alternative venue will need to be sourced by the student. For these non-IIE venues, there is an alternative venue levy per module.
Please note, once the examination venue is selected and confirmed, it cannot be changed within eight weeks prior to the summative examination.