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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Photography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101158  Diploma in Photography 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Film, Television and Video 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The intended purpose of this qualification is to give the successful learner a professional, vocational and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of Photography and its association with media production storytelling.

Rationale:
This qualification applies to persons who wish to be competent in the self-motivated, creative production of artworks with a strong emphasis on conceptual content and technical skills as appropriate to a particular professional context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The Institutional Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and procedures are followed. Learners who do not meet entry requirements can apply for access to the qualification through RPL against a module, or part/full qualification for learning obtained through formal, informal and non-formal learning. Learners need to submit a Portfolio of Evidence which will be internally assessed. Credits may be awarded based on the assessment results and learners have the opportunity to appeal against the assessment result where Credits were not awarded.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement is:
  • National Senior National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling at 360 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 224 Credits:
  • Media Practice 1, 76 Credits.
  • Applied Media Aesthetics 2, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.2, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Media Aesthetics 1, 10 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 1.1, 8 Credits.
  • Theory of Media Technologies 1, 10 Credits.
  • Professional Practice 1, 8 Credits.
  • Theory of Media Technologies 2, 10 Credits.
  • Media Practice 2, 76 Credits.
  • Professional Practice 2, 8 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 136 Credits:
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.1, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Communication Skills 2.2, 8 Credits.
  • Applied Media Aesthetics 3, 10 Credits.
  • Media Practice 3, 90 Credits.
  • Professional Practice 3, 10 Credits.
  • Theory of Media Technologies 3, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the diverse role and function of the contemporary photographer in a range of professional photographer/client context.
    2. Produce and exhibit photographic products of a high conceptual content to an appropriate professional and technical standard. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply interactive skills that involve effective communication, listening and sharing.
  • Apply communication skills both in the process as well as the development of a product.
  • Apply basic proficiency to communicate both verbally and textually within a range of photographer/ client context.
  • Display self-motivated, creative problem solving skills within the formal and informal sectors.
  • Display basic creative problem-solving skills within a wide range of market related and community-based contexts.
  • Display basic entrepreneurial skills within a creative context.
  • Show a basic understanding of local and global political/cultural forces on the professional production of photographic related products.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Adhere to technical requirements for the studio work research output.
  • Relate solutions/conclusions to the questions posed in the proposal that are founded on the evidence resulting from the studio work research.
  • Display a professional approach to the production and presentation of a body of photographic related products.
  • Apply awareness of the functions and origins of culture.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of individual, group and cultural identities.
  • Display critical and independent thinking.
  • Use of investigator techniques to generate personal ideas in the production of a body of photographic related products.
  • Apply relevant methodology.
  • Apply technical skills.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Both formative and summative assessments are integral components of all modules within the programme and have application to both traditional summative and continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. All teaching and learning activities in the programme are aligned to the assessment approach of the individual modules indicating a constructive alignment approach in the design of the programme.
  • The assessment activities form an integral part of the teaching and learning process and are systematically and purposefully used to generate data for grading.
  • Timely feedback to learner forms part of the assessment strategy of the institution and is used to inform teaching and learning and to improve the curriculum. Learning outcomes in all modules give an indication as to what will be assessed in the module and thus ensures constructive alignment of the modules within the programme. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar international qualifications, but individual institutions have unique offerings which may/may not articulate with this qualification entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy-depending on the institution. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This allows qualification for horizontal and vertical articulation:
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Commercial Photography, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Professional Photography, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Media Studies, Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Vaal University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.