NWU Humanities Requirements

Visit the Faculty of Humanities

DegreeFieldRequirementsAPSCampusPossible Career Opportunities
BA in Public GovernancePublic AdministrationPublic Administration and Labour Relations ManagementPublic Administration and Social StudiesPolitics and Public AdministrationPublic Administration and GeographyHome Language or First Additional Language level 4DURATION: 3 years25PotchefstroomVanderbijlpark  
BA Language and Literary StudiesPotchefstroom:Afrikaans and Dutch and English plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesAfrikaans and Dutch and German plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesAfrikaans and Dutch and French plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesAfrikaans and Dutch and Setswana (third language) plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesEnglish and German plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesEnglish and French plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesEnglish and Setswana (third language) plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesGerman and French plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesFrench and Setswana (third language) plus Creative writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesGerman and Setswana (third language) plus Creative writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesSetswana (first language) plus language modulesSA Sign Language and other language modules plus Creative Writing and/or Translation and Interpreting StudiesMahikeng:English, Setswana (First Language), Translation and Interpreting StudiesEnglish, Afrikaans, Translation and Interpreting StudiesEnglish, French, Translation and Interpreting StudiesAfrikaans, French, Translation and Interpreting StudiesSetswana (First Language), Afrikaans, French, Translation and Interpreting StudiesFrench, Setswana (First Language), Translation and Interpreting StudiesVanderbijlpark:LanguagesLanguage PracticeLanguage Practice and CommunicationHome Language OR First Additional Language level 4Subject-specific requirements: See yearbook for different directions and relevant requirements.No pre-requisites for French or German.DURATION: 3 years24Mahikeng PotchefstroomVanderbijlparkAfrikaans and DutchTeaching (when combined with postgraduate teaching certificate/diploma)Academia & researchFreelance writingTranslation & interpreting workLanguage technology (when combined with language technology degree)Communication & journalismBroadcasting industryCopy-writingTechnical writingPublishingLexicographySpecialized secretarial servicesProofreadingLanguage specialisation in government & industry sectorsCreative WritingCreative writing & Freelance WritingJournalismPublishingLibrary and information workLanguage practitioner workAcademia & ResearchCopywritingEditorial workAdvertisingEnglishCurriculum design (requires postgraduate study)Teaching English as a second or other languageTeaching (requires a postgraduate teaching certificate/diploma)Creative writing & freelance writingJournalismTechnical writingContent writingPublishing & advertisingSpecialised secretarial and administrative workLanguage practitioner workDigital copywritingEditorial workLexicographySpeech pathology (requires further study)Proof-readingAcademia & research (within a tertiary environment)FrenchTeaching English as a second languageForeign language practitionerTranslation workJournalismAcademia & research (within tertiary environment)Foreign customer servicesLanguage practitioner (government & private sector)Whatever you study, French will always be useful, because it enables you to function in a working environment which has contact with French speaking partners or clients.Hospitality, recreation & tourism sectorGermanTeaching English as a second languageForeign language practitionerTranslation workJournalismAcademia & researchForeign customer services & specialised administrationTechnical writingProofreadingCopy-writing & editingPublishingBroadcastingGovernmental & private language practitionersLanguage PracticeTranslators and text editors may work for translation companies, advertising companies, the press, publishers, and the provincial and national legislatures. There are also many freelance opportunities for translators and text editors.Interpreters may work in government institutions such as courts, and in legislatures and community projects on national, provincial and local level.The demand for people who are qualified in creating subtitles or audio-described material for television programmes and films is increasing. Such people can work freelance, or for media companies.SesothoTeachingCreative writingAcademia & researchEditingLanguage practiceMotivational speakingBroadcasting & advertisingTranslating & interpretingJournalismEntrepreneurship & businessSome of the challenges of Sesotho include the National Language Plan, the marketing of linguistic human rights, language as economic resource, the economy of language and the National Curriculum Statement.SestwanaTeaching (combined with postgraduate teaching certificate)Academia & research (usually within environment)Freelance writingTranslation & interpreting workJournalismCommunications sector – radio broadcasting & television industryPublic relationsCopy-writing & editingPublishingLexicographyContent managementLanguage practitioner work (government & private sector)Administrative workLanguage technology (when combined with language technology degree)Useful in addition to careers in law, library and social sciencesSouth African Sign LanguageDeaf education – you can become a teacher at a school for the Deaf.Social services and health care – you can help to make these services accessible to the Deaf in your workplace.Psychology – you can specialise as a psychologist for the Deaf.Interpreting – you can become a SASL interpreter in a variety of environments (courts, churches, schools, social work, etc.South African Sign LanguageDeaf education – you can become a teacher at a school for the Deaf.Social services and health care – you can help to make these services accessible to the Deaf in your workplace.Psychology – you can specialise as a psychologist for the Deaf.Interpreting – you can become a SASL interpreter in a variety of environments (courts, churches, schools, social work, etc. 
BA in MusicMusic and SocietyCompleted Matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for degree study, OR a diploma in music or an equivalent qualification in which the modules for the final year have been passed with an average of at least 60%At least 50% (level 4) for English in Grade 12Successful completion of a practical audition (Grade 3 standard) and a theoretical placement test (Grade 2 standard)DURATION: 3 years21Potchefstroom 
BMusMusicCompleted Matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for degree studySuccessful completion of a practical audition (Grade 6 standard) and a theoretical placement test (Grade 5 standard)DURATION: 4 years24PotchefstroomThe following resources provide a wealth of information on possible careers in music:20 alternative ways to create a sustainable career in music at music think tankCareers in Music at Berklee College of MusicCareers in Music (UK)Let the kid study music, already! at ForbesMusic as a Career and What can you do with a music degree? at Majoring in MusicMusic Career Finder at Careers in MusicMusic CareersMusic Careers at MusiciansWay.comMusic Careers at the balanceNavigating Music Careers at The Shepherd School of MusicWhat can you do with a music degree? at Music School Central
Diploma in Music(DM)MusicCompleted Matric / National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma studyAt least 50% (level 4) for English in Grade 12Successful completion of a musical aptitude test and auditionDURATION: 3 years18Potchefstroom 
BA in Behavioural Scienceswith Sociology and Psychology Mathematical Literacy at level 4DURATION: 3 years22PotchefstroomVanderbijlparkSociology develops one’s ability to understand the relationshipsand interactions between people and groups that shape our societyand how it works.Therefore, Sociology is important and very useful if you are interested in any of the following career paths:Clinical sociologistConsultant on team performance (sport and work teams)Social researcher and analystManager, analyst and evaluator of projectsNegotiator in labour relationsPlanner and developerManager in the public or private sectorResearcher on impact studiesCommunication specialistSocial worker *Community development worker/practitionerPopulation specialistMember of the civil serviceHuman resources managerPolitical policy makerPsychologist and counsellor*Nurse*¹Usually requires an Honours degree in Sociology ²Specialised qualification, but Sociology is central to it.
Bachelor of Artswith Heritage and Cultural Tourism Management (Potch)with Tourism Management (Mahikeng)DURATION: 3 years22Mahikeng PotchefstroomTourism ManagersTourism MarketersMarketersResearchersLecturersConsultantsGuesthouse ManagersGame farm managers and event managers in both private and public enterprises.
Bachelor of Artswith Sociology and Labour Relations Managementwith Sociology and GeographyDURATION: 3 years22Potchefstroom 
BA in Graphic Designwith Art History and Illustrationwith CommunicationSELECTION: Selection based on a photo portfolio of graphics OR works of art and a skills test in practical projects as well as an academic record and interview.DURATION: 4 years24PotchefstroomProfessional graphic designerFreelance artistAnimation artistEditorial designerDesign directorLayout artistChildren’s book artistComic artistIllustratorAdvertising artistPackaging designerWeb page designerEducatorMultimedia designerArt criticArt journalistGallery ownerCuratorArt consultantArt dealerManager of artists’ careerEducatorTourism specialistResearcherArt bloggerArts festival officerPublisherWeb content generatorArt collectorStudio managerGallerist
BA Communication English level 5DURATION: 3 years24Mahikeng PotchefstroomVanderbijlparkThe practitioner ensures that there are adequate conversation and communication between the organisation and the organisation’s stakeholders (i.e. investors, employees, the media, government) in order to assist the organisation in reaching its strategic goals. To do this, the practitioner develops a plan and strategy, which includes actions such as developing newsletters, websites, managing social media, and planning events.Where can you work?A communication practitioner can work at any organisation (for- or non-profit) or government department – anywhere where an organisation has the need to communicate with people internally and externally.EditorCommunity media journalistContent provider (online media)Copy editorText editor (e.g. for a publishing house)Layout and design editor (using desktop publishing or web design skills)Media liaison/relations practitionerSpokesperson
BPhilEthics, Philosophy, Politics and EconomicsEthics, Philosophy and Psychological sciencesEthics, Philosophy and Natural sciencesEthics, Philosophy and LanguagesEthics, Philosophy and Social sciencesSubject-specific requirements: See yearbook for different directions and relevant requirements.DURATION: 3 years26Potchefstroom 
B Social Sciences(BSocSc)Potchefstroom:History and PsychologySocial Anthropology and PsychologySociology and PsychologyHistory and SociologySocial Anthropology and SociologyHistory and PoliticsSocial Anthropology and PoliticsSociology and PoliticsHistory and Social AnthropologyHistory and GeographySocial Anthropology and GeographySociology and GeographyHistory and EconomicsSocial Anthropology and EconomicsSociology and EconomicsPolitics and EconomicsMahikeng:International RelationsPolitical SciencesDevelopment StudiesPopulation Studies and DemographyPopulation StudiesPopulation and Development StudiesPopulation Studies and SociologyPsychologySociologySubject-specific requirements: See yearbook for different directions and relevant requirements.DURATION: 3 years24Mahikeng PotchefstroomPopulation Studies and DemographyGraduates of Population Studies are in demand in Southern Africa. They may find employment in various government departments such as Statistics South Africa where they will be involved in collecting, processing and analysing data for planning; non-governmental organisations; civic society organisations; international development agencies; academic and research institutions; and national and provincial population units that undertake demographic and related activities.
BA HumanitiesPotchefstroom:Geography and the HumanitiesHistory and the HumanitiesArt History and the HumanitiesPolitical Study and the HumanitiesSocial Anthropology and the HumanioraPsychology and LanguagesSociology and LanguagesMathematics and the HumanitiesLatin and the HumanitiesVanderbijlpark:History and GeographyPolitics and SocietyHistory and the HumanitiesPsychology and LanguagesSubject-specific requirements: See yearbook for different directions and relevant requirements.All VC Humanities curricula except for Politics and Society have either AFLL, ENL OR SSLL as major up to second OR third year. Matric mark of at least 65% in Afrikaans, English OR Sesotho required. DURATION: 3 years24Potchefstroom 

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Did you know : International Scholarships 2024

There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:

  1. Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
  2. Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
  3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
  4. Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
  5. Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.

These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.