Key Differences Between a General BA and SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science

Summary: When choosing between a general BA and SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science, it helps to start by asking: what do you actually want to do with your degree once you have it? Neither degree is inherently better. They differ because they are built for different kinds of students. A general BA at many large public universities gives you plenty of room to explore. You might combine Psychology with, for example, Sociology, Politics or a language, then change direction in second year once you’ve sampled a few subjects. SACAP works differently. It is a smaller institution with niche programme offerings and a more focused approach. This means that SACAP’s BAppSocSci provides a smaller, carefully selected range of second majors chosen to complement Psychology and support particular areas of applied social science. The real question is this: do you want the freedom to explore widely, or a more focused path that links theory to practical experience from the start? There’s no wrong answer, but there is probably a right one for you. This guide looks at how the two degrees differ and what each option could offer you.

How to Make the Best Decision

If you are deciding between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science (BAppSocSci), you’ll notice that the main difference is the way the curriculum is structured. A general BA often provides more freedom to choose subjects and shape a degree over time. In contrast, SACAP’s BAppSocSci has two defined majors from the start of the degree and combines these with applied learning and programme-specific Work Integrated Learning (WIL). 

Neither type of degree is automatically better. As a prospective student, the most important question you can ask is not which of these two qualifications sounds more impressive; rather, ask which learning experience and subject combination suits your career goals best.  

Bachelor of Arts (BA) vs Bachelor of Applied Social Science (BAppSocSci) at a Glance

A general BA can give you room to explore different areas within the humanities and social sciences. Depending on the university and programme, you may be able to combine majors and electives around your developing interests. SACAP’s BAppSocSci is an NQF Level 7 degree built around Psychology, a second defined major and programme-specific Work Integrated Learning. 

The table below provides a broad comparison. It is important to check the curriculum of every institution you are considering because not all BA programmes offer the same subject options and/or combinations. Different universities offer different ranges of subjects to choose from. 

Comparing a BA with a Bachelor of Applied Social Science

Consideration	General Bachelor of Arts	SACAP Bachelor of Applied Social Science
Primary emphasis	Broad study within the humanities, arts or social sciences.	Applied social science with a defined interdisciplinary focus.
Programme structure	Varies by institution; may include majors, electives and broader subject combinations.	Psychology combined with a second major in either Counselling, HR Management, Business Management or Criminology.
Subject choice	Often offers scope to explore different subjects, within the institution’s rules.	Follows an established dual-major pathway.
Learning approach	Commonly emphasises academic knowledge, interpretation, research and critical analysis.	Combines academic theory, research, applied assessments and practical learning.
Practical component	Depends on the particular BA programme.	Includes programme-specific Work Integrated Learning.
Direction	Can suit students wanting to explore before narrowing their focus.	Can suit students who have a specific interest in psychology and related disciplines.
Postgraduate study	Depends on majors, credits, results and postgraduate entry requirements.	Can provide access to relevant honours or postgraduate study, subject to admission requirements.
Qualification level	Depends on the accredited programme.	SAQA ID 90844, NQF Level 7.

SACAP has one BAppSocSci programme with a psychology major core and a choice from 4 second subject majors. The programme takes a minimum of three years full-time or a maximum of five years part-time online, with campus availability varying depending on second subject major availability. 

What is a General Bachelor of Arts (BA)?

A general BA degree is a broad undergraduate qualification commonly centred on the humanities, arts and social sciences. It usually includes subjects like languages, literature, history, philosophy, sociology, politics, media studies, anthropology and psychology. A general BA’s structure, available majors, electives and postgraduate pathways differ between universities. This is why it’s important to delve deeper than just the degree’s name to discover which institute will provide you with the appropriate training for your career aspirations.  

A big advantage of doing a general BA degree, especially for students who know which faculty they want to base themselves in but aren’t ready to commit to a narrowly defined learning pathway, is its breadth. This is because a general BA degree usually allows students to explore several disciplines before concentrating on one or more majors.  

Due to the breadth of a general BA degree, students are taught from different perspectives using, for example, essays, research, discussion and critical engagement. The result is that general BA students develop, amongst others, transferable abilities such as: 

• Critical thinking and analysis. 
• Written and verbal communication. 
• Research and information evaluation.
• Interpretation of complex social issues. 
• Constructing evidence-based arguments. 
• Working across different cultural and intellectual perspectives. 

While a general BA can also create postgraduate opportunities, it’s important to remember that usually you will only be eligible for an honours or professional pathway. Eligibility will depend on subjects completed, relevant credits, academic results, as well as university-specific admission requirements. 

What is a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (BAppSocSci)?

SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science degree is an NQF Level 7 undergraduate qualification, registered under SAQA ID 90844. It combines Psychology with a second major, applied learning, research and Work Integrated Learning. Explore the benefits of each of these four Applied Social Science Degrees: 

H3: SACAP’s four defined dual-major pathways: 

1. Psychology and Counselling
2. Psychology and Human Resource Management
3. Psychology and Business Management
4. Psychology and Criminology

Within these pathways, SACAP students will engage with academic theory, research methods, critical thinking and the study of human behaviour to build their knowledge base. One of the purposes of the second major is to provide a context to apply and understand this knowledge in class and in practice. 

Bachelor of Applied Social Science graduates may be eligible to apply for relevant honours or postgraduate programmes. However, entry is not automatic and will depend on the majors completed, academic results and the admission requirements of the particular postgraduate programme. Examples of postgraduate possibilities at SACAP include Psychology, social science, business management and HR. 

Key Differences Between a General BA and SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science

A general BA may allow students to explore several humanities or social-science subjects. As such, a general BA may suit someone who wants to investigate several fields before deciding where to concentrate. Then, depending on the university’s subject flexibility, a student might combine Psychology with subjects such as Sociology, Politics, History, Languages or Philosophy.

In contrast to a general BA, SACAP’s BAppSocSci is more focused from the outset. Each pathway uses Psychology as one major and connects it with a particular area of application. This does not make the programme narrow, but it does give the degree a clearer interdisciplinary centre. It is well suited for students who, ahead of beginning their higher education, know what focus they want. 

Choosing between a Bachelor of Arts and Applied Social Science should be based on comparing the actual curricula rather than the degree titles. Emeris similarly notes that neither a broad arts degree nor a more specialised pathway is inherently better; the fit depends on the student’s interests and goals. This means weighing up room to explore and a more deliberately designed combination. For some students, structure is reassuring, and for others, the freedom to explore a wider academic landscape may be more valuable. Which will work best for you? 

Theory-Led Study vs Academically Grounded Applied Learning

Calling a general BA “theoretical” and an applied degree “practical” oversimplifies both. Both require academic reading, research, critical thinking and disciplined engagement with evidence. The difference between the two degrees lies in how that academic knowledge is applied. SACAP students are also given the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge through practical assessments, Work Integrated Learning and engagement with real-world situations. 

Practically, what this means is that the distinction is one of emphasis. A BA may place greater weight on analysing ideas, texts, theories and social questions across a broad curriculum. SACAP’s BAppSocSci also develops these academic abilities but repeatedly asks how knowledge can be applied within people-centred, organisational or community contexts. 

Matthew Maila, a SACAP BAppSocSci student, says that through“practical on-campus volunteer experiences I was able to actualise, implement and practice the theory.” He also valued that his modules felt connected to the direction he wanted to pursue. His experience echoes other SACAP graduates’ learning experiences and shows the connection between theory and practice that applied learning aims to create. 

SACAP enticed me for a number of reasons: all the educators are qualified and experienced practitioners in their respective fields as opposed to being just academics; and the small classes…

Matthew Maila, SACAP BAppSocSci Graduate 

Open-Ended Direction vs a Defined Interdisciplinary Focus

Your subject choices will play a major role in where your degree can take you. Some students value the freedom to keep several options open, while others would rather have a defined programme that connects two related fields from the start. The better fit depends on how clear your interests are and the kind of direction you want from your studies. 

The direction a BA takes is shaped by a student’s selected subjects. A general BA can keep several options open, especially if a student selects a broad combination of subjects. Career and post-graduate opportunities will then be based on majors, skills and developed experience.  

SACAP’s BAppSocSci offers a more recognisable interdisciplinary profile. Its more defined focus links psychology to a specific focus area; however, it does not restrict graduates to a single occupation. For example, Psychology and HR Management point towards understanding people in workplaces; Psychology and Business Management connect human behaviour with organisational and commercial decision-making; Psychology and Counselling emphasise relational and helping skills; and Psychology and Criminology connect individual behaviour with social systems, crime, victimisation and justice responses. 

How Does Work Integrated Learning Connect Study with Practice?

Work integrated learning (WIL) helps students move from “what does this theory mean?” to “how can I use this knowledge?” By incorporating WIL into SACAP’s Applied Psychology Degree, students are given a structured opportunity to apply what they have learnt in class to a real-life setting. The form of WIL differs between SACAP’s BAppSocSci degrees. 

How WIL Differs Across SACAP’s BAppSocSci Pathways’

BAppSocSci Pathway	Current WIL Format
Psychology and Counselling	200 hours, including supervision.
Psychology and Business Management	200 hours, including mentoring.
Psychology and Human Resource Management	Three months full-time, including mentoring.
Psychology and Criminology	Project-based, two-term WIL module at NQF 7.

WIL is not simply an additional item on a CV that gives students an advantage when they apply for jobs. Some of the many advantages it gives students is a structured setting in which to test their understanding, receive feedback and reflect on how academic ideas function in more complex real-world situations. 

Melissa Cupido, SACAP Graduate, said that the WIL component of her BAppSocSci degree surpassed her expectations. She adds that “It really gave me an amazing opportunity to learn and grow; I got to implement various interventions and workshops under the supervision of my placement site and my SACAP coordinator.” 

Which SACAP Bachelor of Applied Social Science dual major is Right for you?

Which one of the four Bachelor of Applied Social Science dual major pathways SACAP offers is your best fit will depend on what context you want to understand people within. Are you more interested in counselling, workplace, business or crime-and-justice contexts? 

1. Psychology and Counselling

Explore the Psychology and Counselling programme if you are interested in human behaviour, relationships, communication and wellbeing.  An important part of working within this area is providing support for people individually and in family and community contexts. This degree can enable further studies which can lead to registration as a counsellor or a psychologist (after successful completion of the additional degrees and a HPCSA board examination), only once all these requirements, such as satisfying those of the HPCSA, have been fulfilled. 

2. Psychology and Human Resource Management

The Psychology and Human Resource Management programme connects psychology with HR, so it is best suited to someone interested in how individuals, teams and organisations function. Its focus includes employee relations, learning and development, as well as organisational change. The HR major is endorsed by the South African Board for People Practices, and the programme includes three months of full-time WIL with mentoring. 

3. Psychology and Business Management

If you want to focus on the relationship between business systems and people, then explore doing the Psychology and Business Management programme. It delves into areas such as entrepreneurship, management and organisational decision-making. Included in this undergraduate degree are 200 hours of WIL with mentoring, and completing it can support applications to relevant postgraduate study in Psychology, social science, business management or related fields. 

4. Psychology and Criminology

Understanding the broader social and systemic factors linked to crime, victimisation, community safety and justice is covered within the Psychology and Criminology programme. Its WIL takes the form of a project-based, two-term module, NQF Level 7, that integrates psychological and criminological theory with community practice. 

When you are considering which learning pathway suits you best, also look at how the programme suits your circumstances. Cindy-Marie Bertram explains that her Online Flexi enabled her to study and continue to work. In contrast, Kyla Morgan valued the intimacy of SACAP classrooms while completing her degree full-time on campus. 

How Can Each Degree Shape Your Next Step?

A degree’s title only gives you a small part of the story. BAs are shaped by selected majors and electives as well as transferable skills, usually within a more flexible learning pathway. BAppSocSci degrees are shaped by deliberate structuring, with Psychology and a second major within a defined learning pathway. Dr Jaclyn Lotter’s discussion of psychological literacy provides useful insight into why studying psychology is about more than becoming a therapist.

How can local knowledge deepen our understanding? South African graduates should be able to challenge existing theory, as well as contribute to local knowledge production. 

Dr Jaclyn Lotter, Executive Dean at SACAP

Which Degree is Right for You?

There is no universal answer to the BA degree vs applied degree question. This means that when deciding which learning pathway to do, you want to compare the dual major’s curricula to see what you can expect to study and ask how subjects are connected.  Look at if practical experience is included within the programme and what that entails. It’s also important to know upfront what further qualifications you might need to pursue your chosen psychology career path and what the requirements to do so are. 

A useful final question that can provide more valuable insight than the degree title is “Would I benefit more from exploring a wider range of subjects, or from applying two connected disciplines within a defined area of interest?” 

Explore SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science Programmes

Are you looking for an undergraduate degree that connects the study of human behaviour with practical and interdisciplinary learning? Apply online to one of SACAP’s four Bachelor of Applied Social Science options: 

1. Psychology and Counselling 
2. Psychology and Human Resource Management 
3. Psychology and Business Management 
4. Psychology and Criminology 

If you are uncertain, contact a student advisor, who can help you find the dual-major learning pathway that connects most closely with your study goals.