Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts

Qualification Stream:

• Communication Studies and Psychology

Qualification Code:

• 99311 - CPS

NQF Level:

• 7

Total Credits:

• 360

SAQA ID:

• 14352

APS/AS:

• 20

Rules:

• This qualification consists of 29 modules. Students are required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer, and internet during their studies.

Purpose Statement:

The Bachelor of Arts program aims to:

• Familiarize learners with content and basic theories across various disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, offering both basic and intermediate levels of understanding.
• Provide an in-depth grasp of one or more of these disciplines at the exit level (level 6).
• Equip learners with appropriate methods for problem-solving, fostering skills in critical questioning of theories and authorities.
• Cultivate scholarly and intellectual competencies, including effective written and oral communication.
• Prepare learners for further studies, ensuring a well-rounded education across multiple disciplines.
• Development of lateral, critical, and creative thinking.
• Encourage lifelong learning and critical citizenship principles.

Delivery Mode:

• This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who Can Register?

• Applicants: New applicants and Unisa students who have applied for admission to a new qualification may only register upon receiving and accepting an offer of placement from Unisa.
• Re-registering Students: May register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens. For those wishing to start a new qualification, an application for the alternative qualification should be submitted during the prescribed application period.

How to Choose Your Modules:

Each Unisa qualification is structured to require passing a specific number of NQF level credits within a stipulated time frame to qualify for graduation.

• Co-requisite: Module A is required alongside Module B, which restricts cancellation of Module A unless Module B is also canceled.
• Pre-requisite: Module A must be passed before registering for Module B.
• The maximum number of credits/modules allowed per academic year is 60 per semester or 120 for the entire year. This limit does not include supplementary or aegrotat examinations from prior semesters.

Time Commitment:

Students should consider the following weekly study hours:

• Semester Modules: Approximately 6 to 8 hours per week.
• Year Modules: Approximately 4 to 6 hours per week.

Curriculum for This Qualification:

Students should write down the module names and codes for reference during registration.

Compulsory Modules (Select from the following):

• Group A:
  • PYC1511 - Introduction to Psychology
  • PYC1512 - Foundations of Sub-Disciplines of Psychology
• Group AB: (Select 2 modules)
  • COM1511 - Principles of Decolonial Communication
  • COM1512 - Disruption and Communication
  • COM1513 - Communication in the context of the organisation
  • COM1514 - Fundamentals of Decolonising Media Studies
• Group B: (Fundamentals, select 2 modules)
  • AFC1501 - Isandulelo kwizifundo ngezindlela zokucwaninga ulwazi lwaseThebes/ Afrika (for NGUNI speaking students ONLY)
  • AFL1501 - Language Through an African Lens
  • ENG1503 - Academic Language and Literacy in English
• Group C: (Electives, select 2 modules)
  • AFK1501 - Voetspore: Op reis deur die Afrikaanse Letterkunde
  • AFK1502 - Inleiding tot teksontwerp in Afrikaans
  • AFK1503 - Afrikaans Vandag: Taalkunde en skriftelike kommunikasie
  • AFL1502 - African Language and Culture in Practice
  • AGE1501 - Introduction to Archaeology
  • AGE1502 - The Archaeology of Southern Africa
  • AHS1511 - Ancient Mythology in Context
  • AIS1501 - Introducing Applied Information Science
  • AIS1503 - Introducing Information Records and Sources
  • AIS1601 - Using the Internet as a Reference Tool
  • ANH1502 - Roman Ancient History
  • APC1501 - Political Evolution of the African State
  • APC1502 - The Politics of Contemporary Africa
  • APY1501 - Anthropology in a Diverse World
  • APY1502 - The Anthropology of Love and Sex
  • ARB1501 - Elementary Arabic
  • ARH1501 - Visual Literacy
  • ARH1502 - Introduction to Art History
  • ARM1502 - Managing Records
  • ARM1503 - Managing Archives
  • BLG1501 - Basic Biology
  • BLG1502 - Animal and Plant Diversity
  • BLG1603 - Biology Practical (Co-requisite: BLG1501 & BLG1502)
  • BNU1501 - Basic Numeracy
  • BSM1602 - Business Management Fundamentals 1B (Recommendation: BSM1501)
  • BTH1501 - Invitation to Theology
  • CLA1501 - Commercial Law IA
  • CLA1502 - Commercial Law IB
  • CML1501 - Communication Law
  • COS1521 - Computer Systems: Fundamental Concepts
  • DPR1503 - Introduction to Public Relations
  • DVA1501 - Introduction to Development Studies
  • DVA1502 - Development Problems and Institutions
  • ENG1501 - Foundations in English Literary Studies
  • ENG1502 - Foundations in English Language Studies
  • ENG1511 - English Proficiency for University Studies
  • ENG1512 - English for Economic and Management Science
  • ENG1513 - Foundations in English for University Study
  • EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions
  • FRC1501 - French Language and Culture: Beginners
  • FRC1502 - French Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate (Pre-requisite: FRC1501)
  • HFL1501 - Historical Foundations of South African Law
  • HRD1501 - Introduction to Human Resource Development
  • HRM1501 - Introduction to Human Resource Management
  • HSY1511 - Africa in the World: Historical Perspectives
  • HSY1512 - Southern Africa Until the Early 1800s: Encounters and Transformations
  • ICS1501 - An Introduction to Islam
  • ILW1501 - Introduction to Law
  • INF1505 - Introduction to Business Information Systems
  • INF1511 - Visual Programming I
  • INS1501 - Introduction to Information Science
  • INS1502 - Developing Information Skills for Lifelong Learning
  • IOP1501 - Psychological Processes In the Work And Self-employed Context
  • IOP1502 - Customer Service in Tourism
  • IOP1503 - Environmental Psychology
  • IOP1601 - Personality In The Work And Self-employed Context (Pre-requisite: IOP1501)
  • IPC1501 - Fundamentals of International Politics
  • IPC1502 - South Africa in International Politics
  • IRM1501 - Introduction to Research Methodology for Law and Criminal Justice
  • LIN1501 - Grammatical Patterns and Concepts
  • LIN1502 - Multilingualism: the Role of Language in the South African Context
  • LRM1501 - Introduction to Labour Relations Management
  • MAN1501 - Mandarin Chinese: Beginners
  • MAN1502 - Mandarin Chinese: Elementary Level (Pre-requisite: MAN1501)
  • MHS1511 - Early Music to Baroque
  • MHS1512 - Introduction to African Music
  • MNB1501 - Business Management IA
  • MNB1601 - Business Management IB (Pre-requisite: MNB1501)
  • MNM1501 - Personal Selling
  • MNM1502 - Customer Service
  • MNM1503 - Introduction to Marketing
  • MNM1504 - Introduction to Retailing
  • MNM1505 - Introduction to Consumer Behaviour
  • MNM1506 - Introduction to Merchandising
  • MNM1507 - Introduction to Marketing Communication
  • MNM1522 - Fundamentals of Branding
  • MNY1501 - The Dynamics of Mission (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • MNY1502 - First Steps in Practical Theology (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • NDE1505 to NDE1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (isiNdebele)
  • NSO1505 to NSO1509 - Applied African Languages Grammar and Literature (Sepedi)
  • PLC1501 - Politics as Social Activity
  • PLC1502 - Understanding the State
  • PLS1501 - Introduction to Western Philosophy
  • PLS1502 - Introduction to African Philosophy
  • PTU1501 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Beginners
  • PTU1502 - Portuguese Language and Culture: Lower Intermediate (Pre-requisite: PTU1501)
  • RST1501 - Introducing Religions of the World
  • RST1502 - Introducing Theories of Religion
  • SCL1501 - Skills Course for Law Students
  • SCR1501 - Christian Origins and Early Christian Contexts (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • SCR1502 - Introduction to Ancient Israelite Literature, Theology, History and Archaeology (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • SCR1503 - The Formation of New Testament Identities: Martyrs, Apologists, and Early Church Fathers (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • SJD1501 - Social Dimensions of Justice
  • SOC1501 - Community, Society and Inequality in a Globalised World: Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC1502 - Understanding South Africa: Families, Education, Identities and Inequality
  • SSO1505 to SSO1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (Sesotho)
  • SWA1505 to SWA1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (SiSwati)
  • THE1501 - Reflection on Faith (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • THE1502 - Introduction to Ethics (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • THE1503 - Africa: Cradle of Christianity (Co-requisite: BTH1501)
  • THL1501 - Introduction to Theory of Literature
  • THL1502 - Introduction to Literary Genres
  • TSO1505 to TSO1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (Xitsonga)
  • TSW1505 to TSW1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (Setswana)
  • VEN1505 to VEN1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (Tshivenda)
  • XHO1505 to XHO1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (isiXhosa)
  • ZUL1505 to ZUL1509 - Applied African languages Grammar and Literature (isiZulu)

This structured curriculum is designed to ensure comprehensive education encompassing essential theoretical and practical components fundamental to the fields of Communication and Psychology. The combination of compulsory and elective modules enables learners to tailor their educational pathway, fully preparing them for various professional roles within society.