SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Fashion Retail Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101751	Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Fashion Retail Management
ORIGINATOR
North West University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)	Field 11 - Services		Wholesale and Retail
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2034-06-30

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.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The primary purpose of the four-year qualification is to provide graduates with a well-rounded, specialised education of the fashion retail management discipline of consumer sciences. This will equip them with an integrated knowledge base, theory and methodology of the aforementioned discipline of consumer sciences, business and communication modules to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic as well as a professional context. In addition, graduates are also enabled to apply for enrolment into a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Consumer Sciences.

The specialisations of this qualification, namely fashion supply and fashion communication, have specifically been designed to deliver graduates with the purpose of specialising in either side of the fashion chain. Students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, as well as specific and specialised skills and other relevant competences required, to identify and investigate complex consumer issues and develop logical and innovative solutions for the consumer, retailers, manufacturers and communities.

Rationale:
South Africa is in many ways still a developing country in need of specialist professions that focus on the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens. In addition, there is currently a shift from a product focus to a consumer focus where in-depth knowledge about consumer needs and behaviours is required to provide the required products/services. Furthermore, the industry requires specialists in the field of fashion, retail management to be cognisant of the ever-changing consumer demands. This qualification will offer learners the opportunity to specialise in either fashion supply or fashion communication, the two sides of the value chain of fashion, thereby giving graduates the opportunity to enrol for a qualification with a specific career in mind. By offering the specialisation in either fashion supply or fashion communication, graduates with different skills, competencies and interests will be accommodated.

This qualification with its two different focuses on fashion supply and fashion communication will provide candidates the opportunity to become specialists in the supply or communication of fashion retail products/services in congruence with South African consumer needs.

Various role-players are involved whenever products/services directed at the complex needs of consumers. This value chain creates many different employment opportunities either closer to the manufacturing/supply side or more indirectly in the consumer side.

This qualification is therefore necessary and will enable consumer specialists to be employed in industry as specialists in the field of fashion retail management, thereby improving the lives of South African (SA) consumers and making an important contribution to the SA economy and development. Graduates will thus be able to enter into general employment of either the fashion retail sector or the fashion industry.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for this qualification will adhere to and be applied in accordance with the relevant General Academic Rules of the University as well as the accepted procedures for RPL as stipulated by the Faculty and the School. This entails that a committee is appointed with this task, and will evaluate the applicant's application and ensure that the policy and rules are adhered to.

Any application for this qualification on the basis of RPL, will be handled in accordance with the applicable General Rules of the University and the Faculty Rules which will include, but not be limited to, an access evaluation and applied competencies evaluation in relation to the outcomes of the new qualification.

Entry Requirements:

National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies and with appropriate subjects and levels of achievement.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 582 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 124 Credits:

Financial Accounting (Special), 16 Credits.

Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Business Management, 12 Credits.

General Management, 12 Credits.

Introduction to communication contexts, 12 Credits.

Introductory Statistics, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Marketing Management, 16 Credits.

Design Studies, 8 Credits.

Introduction to Basic Fashion Product Development, 12.

The world of Fashion, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5:

Introduction to mass communication, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Journalism, 12 Credits.

Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.

Basic and micro economics, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 104 Credits:

Financial Management, 16 Credits.

Intercultural Communication, 16 Credits.

Know and understand the world of health, 12 Credits.

Consumer Fashion Practice 1, 4 Credits.

Consumerism and Introduction to Consumer Decision-Making, 12 Credits.

Intermediate Fashion Production Skills, 12 Credits.

The Fashion Consumer, 16 Credits.

Fashion Product Selection, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6:

International Trade, 16 Credits.

Publishing (DTP), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 108 Credits:

Operations Management, 16 Credits.

Product Decisions, 16 Credits.

Consumer Fashion Practice 2, 4 Credits.

Consumer Decision-Making: Internal factors, 16 Credits.

Advanced Fashion Production Skills 1, 12 Credits.

Advanced Fashion skills 2, 12 Credits.

Fashion Textiles, 16 Credits.

Fashion Merchandising, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7:

International Business Communication, 16 Credits.

Communication Management Plan, 16 Credits.

Integrated marketing Communication (IMC), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:

Consumer Fashion Practice 3, 8 Credits.

Fashion Retail Management, 16 Credits.

Consumer Fashion Decision-Making: External Factors, 16 Credits.

Consumer Fashion Research Methodology, 16 Credits.

Consumer Education and Training: Fashion, 16 Credits.

Project: Fashion Research, 48 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge of and engagement in the discipline of Consumer Sciences related to consumer behaviour concerning fashion products and resources, and demonstrate the ability to evaluate and apply concepts, principles, theories, skills as well as research methodologies thereof, critically.
2. Integrate different fashion-related theories, skills and scientific resources in order to identify, investigate and analyse complex product and consumer issues critically; and develop logical and innovative solutions to problems typically experienced by South African consumers, retailers, and manufacturers in a professional, ethical and responsible manner.
3. Communicate consumer-related issues, innovative solutions and research findings to a range of audiences in writing and orally in an academically correct and professional manner, using different types of media and technologies.
4. Work effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of a group, taking responsibility for self-regulated learning when studying fashion-related processes and systems in order for the individual and/or group to logically achieve the outcome of aiming to improve consumer well-being in varying contexts.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Identify and critically discuss all basic theories and principles within the domain of Consumer Sciences, concerning fashion products and resources, in order to solve contextual consumer-related aspects.

Evaluate, select and apply fashion-related knowledge, skills and methodologies, to solve relevant issues and needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Identify, investigate and critically analyse South African consumer issues within fashion retail industries, and integrate scientific resources that can be implemented to develop logical solutions to alleviate these aspects.

Analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate literature, theories and scientific resources, to solve fashion-related issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Write research findings, solutions and opinions in well-formulated arguments, whilst considering the rules of plagiarism and copyright, of consumer-related issues.

Present and discuss fashion-related aspects and needs, using different types of media and technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Provide logic written proof to enhance consumer well-being either individually or in a group, while studying fashion-related problems, processes and systems.

Provide solutions to fashion-related needs and aspects individually and in a group, to improve consumer well-being within the domain of Consumer Sciences.

Integrated Assessment:
The following assessment methods will be used:

Continuous and authentic assessment strategies will be employed. The relevant module study guides will contain the necessary information, assessment criteria and instructions for formative and summative assessment opportunities. Different types of formative and summative assessments will be applied in the different modules.

Formative Assessment:
A written or online assignments and tests (e.g. via eFundi), analysis and solving of case studies, individual and group presentations; problem solving, on-campus laboratory and practical skills assessments, peer assessments, and evaluation of exercise adherence reports.

Summative Assessment:
One three-hour, formal written examination and, where applicable, one five-hour practical examination per module. Integrated assessment will be in the form of written and practical assignments, integrated portfolios and practical assessments and oral presentations of integrated mini-projects or seminars in individual as well as group contexts.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification is compared to other Consumer Sciences qualifications worldwide with regard to outcomes, credits, level of difficulty, notional hours as well as career opportunities. The following international institutions offer graduate qualifications in Consumer Sciences that can be used for comparison to the content of this qualification:

Lamer University in Texas offers a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Retailing and Merchandising. This qualification provides professional training for a wide range of careers in the fashion industry. The curriculum includes modules that prepare students for careers in a variety of areas including retail management, buying, visual merchandising, event coordination, stylist, human resources, fashion forecasting, fashion advertising and promotion, and entrepreneurship. Field experiences may include working in the retail environment.

Ball State University in Indiana offers a Bachelor in Fashion Merchandising. The qualification focuses on preparing students for the ever-changing retail industry as well as manufacturing, distribution, and other related fashion areas. The study includes modules in dimensions of clothing, textiles, clothing construction (including the use of CAD), evolution of costume, visual merchandising, fashion product analysis, designers and forecasting, fashion buying and merchandising, apparel manufacturing and wholesaling, international apparel markets and fashion promotion. Bradley University in Illinois, the Department Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Retail Merchandising qualification. Candidates in this area are prepared for careers in merchandising, sales, operations, buying, and other related areas in the retail fashion industry. A minor in business management or marketing is required for this major.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers articulation possibilities with the following qualifications:
Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship and Business Management.

Vertical Articulation:

Master's Degree in Consumer Sciences, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.	North West University