IIE Bachelor of Social Science Course Requirements at Varsity College
Varsity College · Faculty of Humanities
The IIE Bachelor of Social Science is a bachelor's Degree offered by Varsity College for 2027 learners, taking 3 years full-time to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study IIE Bachelor of Social Science at Varsity College
- A National Senior Certificate with a bachelor's degree pass and at least 50% for English
- An NC(V) bachelor's pass, Senior Certificate endorsement or SC(a) bachelor pass with 50% for English is also accepted
- International applicants need a USAf exemption certificate with 50% for English
- Applicants who fall just short on English may be considered based on their final Grade 11 results
About this course
The IIE Bachelor of Social Science is a degree for learners who want to understand society, politics, crime and human behaviour. It is a 360-credit IIE qualification at NQF Level 7 (SAQA ID 122517) in the Faculty of Humanities, offered full-time on six campuses with a February intake.
You follow one of five major combinations through to third year:
- International Studies and Political Studies
- Geography and Environmental Science and Development Studies
- Psychology and Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Criminology and Criminal Justice and Sociology
- Psychology and Sociology
Each pathway builds research, critical thinking and writing skills while giving you specialist knowledge for a particular career direction, such as diplomacy, development work, the justice system or social services.
The degree suits curious learners who read widely, enjoy debate and want careers that deal with real social problems. Graduates can move straight into work or continue to honours, postgraduate diplomas, master's and doctoral study, depending on their majors. For psychology or counselling careers, postgraduate study is required. The IIE Higher Certificate in Communication Practices can serve as a route in.
Possible careers
Graduates work in research and analysis, criminal justice, the public service, diplomacy and international relations, development and NGO work, policy and social services. With postgraduate study they can become psychologists, counsellors or academics.
Course intelligence for IIE Bachelor of Social Science
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
IIE Bachelor of Social Science doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Varsity College. Ask Varsity College directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
Varsity College’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with Varsity College and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through the Emeris undergraduate contact portal (portal.emeris.ac.za/application/undergrad-contact/) and pay the R500 non-refundable application fee. Upload a copy of your ID (or a certified passport copy if you are an international student) and your most recent school report or final Grade 12 results. When you receive an offer, accept it on the portal and pay the R3 000 pre-registration fee, which is later deducted from your tuition. Applications for the 2027 intake close on 30 October 2026; late applications are still considered but carry an extra R2 000 fee.
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View all Courses at Varsity College
- Duration
- 3 years full-time
- NQF Level
- 7
- Fees
- 2027 first-year tuition R112 440 full settlement (Pretoria, Ruimsig, Sandton, Durban North, Cape Town), R82 680 Nelson Mandela Bay
- Application deadline
- 30 October 2026 for the 2027 intake (late applications carry a R2 000 fee)
- Campus
- Sandton Campus, Sandton
- Pretoria Lynnwood Campus, Pretoria
- Ruimsig Campus, Roodepoort
- Durban North Campus, Durban
- Nelson Mandela Bay Campus, Gqeberha
- Cape Town Newlands Campus, Cape Town
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Related courses
FPS approx. 435 (Band A gua…Source: Official website: https://www.emeris.ac.za/qualifications/bachelor-of-social-science, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Varsity College before applying.