IIE Bachelor of Social Science - (Distance)

Admission requirements

• National Senior Certificate (NSC): Bachelor’s Degree pass with 50%.
• National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)]: Bachelor’s Degree pass with 50%.
• Senior Certificate: Endorsement with 50%.
• Senior Certificate (Amended) [SC(a)]: Bachelor pass with 50%.
• International Applicants: An USAf Exemption Certificate with 50% or equivalent for English.
• Alternate Admission: Should the English requirement not be met at NSC Grade 12, entrance may be granted if the English requirement is met based on the Grade 11 final mark of 40-49%. If 50% minimum in final Grade 11 results was achieved.

For alternative admission options, please click here or reach out to student recruitment.

Please note, requirements for entry to this qualification are correct at the time of publication, however, these may change.

Curriculum

The IIE Bachelor of Social Science degree consists of 24 core modules at NQF Level 7, totaling 360 credits. These modules are drawn from the Criminology & Criminal Justice and Sociology discipline combination.

• Communication Science 1A: Interpersonal Communication
• Digital and Academic Literacy
• Psychology 1A: Introduction to Psychology

• Crime in Context
• Introduction to South African Criminal Justice System
• Psychology 1B: Introduction to Psychology

• Sociology 1A
• Victimology in South Africa
• Women in Crime

• Selected Contemporary Crime Issues
• Youth in Conflict with the Law
• Sociology 1B

• Gender, Culture and Society
• Sociological Perspectives on Youth Culture and Social Change
• Theoretical Perspectives in Political and Social Thought

• Building Support Networks for Children and Families
• Medical Sociology
• South African and African Social Justice

• Beliefs, Religion and Spirituality
• Criminal Behaviour in South Africa: A Psychosocial Approach
• Introduction to Research for the Human Sciences

• Forensic Criminology: Victim and Offender Profiling
• Political Philosophy and Justice
• Research Practice for the Human Sciences

Articulation options

For the Faculty of Humanities, the following qualifications allow you to articulate into the IIE Bachelor of Social Science should you meet the requirements:

• Higher Certificate in Communication Practice

For alternative articulation options within our other schools please contact your campus for further information

Study further with our pathways

The IIE Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSci) is a flexible undergraduate degree that explores human behavior, society, and the systems that influence our world. It offers a range of study pathways tailored to your interests and career aspirations. Depending on your chosen field, you can deepen your expertise through postgraduate options such as Honours, Master's, or Postgraduate Diplomas.

Accreditation

The IIE Bachelor of Social Science 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: 90905)

Career opportunities

Graduates of the IIE Bachelor of Social Science degree will be well-equipped with advanced communication, analytical, and adaptable thinking skills that prepare them for a wide range of career opportunities. With these competencies, they can pursue roles in fields such as research and analysis, marketing and advertising, criminal justice, public and civil services, diplomacy, public policy-making, and social and community services. Employment opportunities may be found in government departments (such as Justice and International Relations and Cooperation), universities, museums, SANParks, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, and consultancy firms. Some may choose self-employment or work in specialised areas like restorative justice, victim counselling, employee assistance programmes, or addressing environmental challenges through fieldwork. The degree also opens pathways into international relations, foreign policy, politics, psychology, counselling, and academic research, making it a truly versatile and valuable qualification.

Teaching and Learning strategy

At Emeris, we believe that effective teaching is about creating experiences that foster student growth. Our academic team design activities that challenge students and identify their strengths, allowing for real-time adaptation in the learning journey. By combining subject expertise with teaching insights and digital tools, we extend learning beyond the classroom. This approach ensures students not only keep up but thrive.

On-Campus written examination venue information

For students based in South Africa, online students may select any campus of Emeris as their Examination Centre.

An alternative examination centre is only permissible for students studying abroad and those located in a province of South Africa where there is no Emeris campus. If there is no Emeris campus within reach, an alternative venue will need to be sourced by you. For non-Emeris venues, there is an alternative venue levy per module.

Device and connectivity specifications required for online study

Please add this section as per the factsheets where relevant to the distance programmes.

• Reliable internet connection (we recommend 5-10 GB of data per month and an internet speed of at least 0.15 Mbps).
• Desktop PC or laptop with at least an i3 processor and 4GB RAM memory.
• Windows 8 or macOS 10.15 (Microsoft Office 365 is available as a free download for Emeris students), and Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge Chromium or Firefox.
• A working webcam and microphone.
• An uninterrupted power supply is also highly recommended.
• Exams are written at an exam centre and in some instances online. These details will be specified in your programme assessment schedule.