About the Honours Programme
Bachelor of Education (Honours)
School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal
The purpose of the B.Ed. Hons
The B.Ed. Hons is designed to build the competence of expert educators and curriculum specialists, systems managers, or educational researchers. Through this qualification, learners will be prepared to embark on a course of study leading to M.Ed. at HEQF level 9.
This degree requires that students enter a specific specialization, and it includes an independent research project undertaken by the student. While students may take the degree for different purposes, a central element of the Honours degree is that it aims to provide a foundation for further academic study and research.
Who qualifies to enter? And how do I apply?
a) Applicants may be registered for the qualification of Honours in any College, provided that they have:
- Completed a Bachelor’s degree regarded as appropriate by the College concerned; or
- Been admitted to the status of that degree in terms of Rule GR7 (a); or
- Attained a level of competence as defined in Rule GR7 (b).
b) A College may prescribe further minimum criteria for admission to study.
- All applicants are required to have completed a Degree majoring in Education.
OR
- All applicants are required to have completed any other relevant Degree for the specialisation and these applicants are also required to have completed a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) qualification.
Not all who qualify will be accepted. Staff capacity means that we take a limited number into each specialization in the Honours degree. To enter the programme students need to have obtained 55% for their previous qualification. Students who do not meet this requirement, but who can provide evidence of relevant prior learning, may be accepted, although such applications have to be approved by the University Senate. In addition, applicants are required to write an entrance test
It is required of students that they are able to use computers both for producing assignments and for accessing emails and the Internet. If students do not have sufficient skills in that area, they must ensure that they get those skills in the first year of a part-time Honours degree. Staff may, for example, require that a student takes a course to develop these skills.
To apply, contact the administrative staff to get an application form. When you fill this in you must indicate your first, second and third choices for the specializations on the application forms. Some specializations cannot take all well-qualified applicants, and qualifying students
Specializations on offer
All students need to enter one of the following specializations:
- Adult Education (Pietermaritzburg)
- Curriculum Studies (Edgewood)
- Education and Development (Pietermaritzburg)
- Education Leadership, Management and Policy (Edgewood & Pietermaritzburg)
- Educational Psychology (Edgewood)
- Gender Education (Edgewood)
- History Education (Edgewood)
- Language and Media Studies (Edgewood & Pietermaritzburg)
- Social Justice Education (PMB and Edgewood)
- Social Science Education (Edgewood)
- Science and Mathematics Education (Edgewood)
- Teacher Development Studies (Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg)
- Technology Education (Edgewood)
PLEASE NOTE: Not all specializations are offered every year.
College of Humanities website: https://coh.ukzn.ac.za
Delivery mode (full-time/part-time) of the B.Ed. Honours degree at UKZN
Students attend lectures either on weekday afternoons, on Saturdays, or (in the case of certain modules) on a block basis during the school holidays. Edgewood modules are mostly in the afternoons from 16:00-18:30 and Pietermaritzburg modules are mostly on Saturdays and during block holiday sessions.
Usually each module has contact time of between 25 and 30 hours. However, it is not sufficient to simply attend lectures. It is important to recognise that the B.Ed. Hons requires students to engage with academic texts in their field of specialization. You will need to make time to do a lot of reading and writing of essays and assignments on your own, outside of the lecture time. You should plan to do a minimum of 10-15 hours’ work on your studies per week.
If you are teaching, you must register for the degree part time. Full-time students may only have paid employment of 20 hours per week as long as these 20 hours fall outside of the B. Ed Hons time-table.
Structure of the B.Ed. Honours degree at UKZN
The degree consists of seven modules, usually completed in two years of part-time study or one year of full-time study. Each module is worth 16 credits, except for the Independent Research Project, which is worth 32 credits. In order to be awarded the Honours degree you must achieve a total of 128 credits.
Students have to apply for a particular specialization (such as Adult Education OR History Education). If accepted, in most cases they then take four core modules that are required for the specialization. In addition, one elective module from any other specialization should be taken.
Part-time students must register for one but not more than two modules per semester.
Please keep in mind HR Rule 7 on Progression
- A student may repeat a failed module not more than once, provided that this does not apply to the prescribed project described in Rule HR4 and HR6 above.
- A student who, after four semesters as a fulltime student or six semesters as a part-time student, has not completed the requirements for the degree, shall be excluded.
B.Ed. Hons curriculum framework
| Fundamental modules COMPULSORY |
Specialization Modules | General Elective Modules | |
| Two modules = 48cr | Compulsory Four modules = 64cr |
Elective | One module = 16cr |
| Understanding Research (16cr) Independent Research (32cr) | Four Specialization modules (4×16 = 64cr) | Depending on Specialization | Any 16cr module from any other B.Ed. Hons Specialization |
Assessment
There are a range of assessment strategies including assignment, group work, practical demonstrations of professional competences, tests and written examination.
To apply, go to https://erpweb.ukzn.ac.za/pls/ukznint/gen.gw1pkg.gw1startup?x_processcode=UKZN_REQUEST and follow the instructions. You can contact administrators for assistance. Please note: Some specializations cannot take all well-qualified applicants and qualifying students.
Applying for B.Ed. HonoursApplications are done online. Please go to https://erpweb.ukzn.ac.za/pls/ukznint/gen.gw1pkg.gw1startup?x_processcode=UKZN_REQUEST and follow the guidelines. The Closing date for applications is 30 September. Selection will begin in November. If you are selected, an R250 acceptance fee is payable by the first week of January to secure your place.
Application fees are as follows:
- Local students R210
- SADC: R490
- Contries outside South Africa: $153
EW Hons & Masters 2023 Timetable
Click on the button to download timetable.
For more information, contact:
Postgraduate Studies and Research
Honours Administrators
Edgewood Campus
Contact Details
B.EdHons@ukzn.ac.za
031 260-3888 / 3634
Private Bag X03, Ashwood, 3605
Ms Karen Sophie
Pietermaritzburg Campus
sophie@ukzn.ac.za
033 260-6189
Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209
Mrs Willemien Liebenberg
Pietermaritzburg Campus
liebenbergw@ukzn.ac.za
033 260-6206
Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209