Bachelor of Education B.Ed (Intermediate and Senior Phase)

Bachelor of Education
B.Ed (Intermediate and Senior Phase)
University of South Africa (UNISA)
DEGREE CODE - 02607
Nurturing and growing young minds is a highly rewarding career choice with a positive and
meaningful impact on society. This programme prepares prospective teachers who are
enthusiastic, committed and caring, with the practical and professional training necessary to
teach learners from Grade 4 through to Grade 9.
Who is this Degree aimed at?
If you have a passion for working with 10 to 15 year olds and you would like to teach then this
Degree will interest you. You can see the potential that is waiting to be untapped and you
yearn to develop the enquiring minds before you. Your patience combined with enthusiasm
and a strong sense of self, will work together with your nurturing nature to allow you to enjoy
this career.
This Initial Teacher Education qualification is for students intending to pursue a career in
teaching in the Intermediate and Senior Phase (from Grade 4 to 9).
What entry requirements will I need to study this Degree?
To be registered as a candidate for a B.Ed (Intermediate and Senior Phase) Degree you must
have satisfied the admission requirements set out in the myChoice UNISA information
brochure. The following is a guide:
1. National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to Bachelor’s Degree
2. Senior Certificate with Endorsement/ Exemption; or
3. Qualify for Conditional Exemption (students with foreign school leaving qualifications,
students older than 23 year of age or older than 45 year of age). These students are
required to have their school leaving qualifications evaluated by HESA / matriculation
board prior to registration with UNISA and Varsity College. Students need to complete
the M30 form available on the UNISA website and submit it to HESA together with the
relevant documentation as stipulated on the form
4. If you are a foreign student, you must ensure that you have a valid study permit issued in
the name of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) that covers the duration of
the qualification.
5. 50% in the language of teaching and learning
A student who has not obtained at least 50%* in the language of teaching and learning will be
limited to 48 credits at NQF level 5 in their first period of study and must register for –
• Students whose Language of Learning and Teaching is English:
ENG1511 (English proficiency for university studies) and
ENN103F (English for academic purposes),
or
• Students whose Language of Learning and Teaching is Afrikaans:
AFK1502 (Basiese teksvaardighede) and
AFK1503 (Contemporary Afrikaans: Language studies and written communication).
• Two modules from their chosen program.
What will I study in this Degree?
The B.Ed (Intermediate and Senior Phase) Degree curriculum consists of forty (40) modules,
the majority of which are compulsory.
You can register for a maximum of 60 NQF credits per semester and 120 NQF credits per
year (in the case of year modules)
The modules in the programme cover the following areas:
A. SCHOOL SUBJECTS (15 modules maximum)
Students have to take a minimum of three school subjects, one is English and a
compulsory additional language (specific to each campus); the third subject is, typically,
Psychology. The school subjects are taken on a 2-2-1 level, i.e. 2 School subjects up to
2nd year level each and another on 1st year level.
B. EDUCATIONAL THEMES (10 modules)
C. PROFESSIONAL STUDIES (15 modules)
First, second, third and fourth level modules in Professional Studies are registration
requirements for first, second, third and fourth level modules respectively.
Each year of study includes a prescribed teaching practice component that requires students
to teach in South African schools and complete certain assignment tasks in workbook format.
Students will complete their Teaching Practice in the following Grades over the four years
(subject to change as per UNISA requirements): 1st year: Grade 4 & 5; 2nd year: Grade 6 &
7; 3rd year: Grade 8 & 9; 4th year: Grade choices.
The curriculum document for the B.Ed (Intermediate and Senior Phase) Degree indicates the
specific modules you study in this Degree. This will be given to you by a Varsity College
Student Advisor.
How is this Degree structured at Varsity College?
Varsity College provides tuition for all compulsory modules (except for compulsory on-line
modules). We also offer tuition for certain elective modules. The curriculum for this Degree at
Varsity College is structured according to the rules as specified by UNISA.
Work Integrated Learning (i.e. Practical Preparation of B.Ed students)
Bachelor of Education students at Varsity College are also involved in weekly practical
preparation sessions, i.e. Work Integrated Learning (WIL). These WIL sessions are an
initiative only available to Varsity College students which supports the Professional
Studies modules for each year, whereby students are exposed to the practical aspects of
teaching through a range of opportunities to enhance and develop their ‘teaching'. Examples
include: Observing best practice; Lesson planning and preparation; Extra professional
development workshops aligned to current needs and trends; Community engagement
teaching opportunities.
Additionally SMARTboard training (i.e. Integration of the Interactive whiteboard training into
teaching and learning) is included as part of the students practical preparation. Students will
be required to use their personal notebook computer (required: up to date specifications) in
order to complete their training with the IWB technology.
The Varsity College academic year for B.Ed is broken up into two semesters (please note this
can change from year to year due to UNISA requirements):
• Semester 1 runs typically from late January until the early May
 Teaching Practice (TP) Observation weeks fall into this
semester
 Students then write their external UNISA exams in May & June
• Semester 2 runs typically from the June/July through until late October
 Main TP falls into this semester
 Students then write their external UNISA exams in October &
November
The modules are delivered on a full-time basis with lectures Monday to Friday. You may
complete the Degree in a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 10 years.
Important information about UNISA that you need to know…
As a new student you need to apply to UNISA within the set application dates. UNISA is
open for application in March / April and then again in September / October (exact dates are
still to be confirmed). Application and registration can be done on-line through the UNISA
website. The UNISA website address is follows - http://www.unisa.ac.za. UNISA does not
allow any late applications or registrations. Application and registration fees at UNISA are
payable by the student.
UNISA then supply you with study guides and tutorial letters. These letters are one of the
ways that your lecturers at UNISA communicate with you. In some modules, the study guide
complements the text book that you have to buy for the module. In other modules, the study
guide is the only study material for the module and you do not need to buy any further
textbooks.
You need to submit assignments to UNISA to gain exam entry. These also count towards
your year mark at UNISA. You write UNISA exams at the UNISA exam centre of your choice.
What must I pass in order to graduate with this Degree?
To obtain a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate and Senior Phase) Degree a student will
need to pass all the forty (40) modules making up the Degree.
Career opportunities: what career can I pursue after I have completed this Degree?
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Teaching
School Management
Educational Consultancy
Websites for you to visit
http://www.unisa.ac.za
What steps make up the process of becoming a UNISA and Varsity College student?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Interview at Varsity College
Apply at Varsity College
Apply at UNISA (Varsity College can assist you with this)
Register at Varsity College (December / January)
Register at UNISA
Join myUNISA (an electronic system allowing you to access your personal and study
data at UNISA on line)
7. Start class (late January / early February)
Varsity College staff are available for career advice. Call your nearest campus to
discuss your career options with one of our Student Advisors.
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