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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Fine Art 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
103076  Advanced Diploma in Fine Art 
ORIGINATOR
Durban 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
Advanced Diploma  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Visual Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of this qualification is to provide an intensive and systematic education in fine art for talented and motivated learners who aim to pursue careers in the field. The aim of this qualification is to give learners a balanced development in obtaining additional technical skills, further their intellectual and creative competences, and develop into professionals, meeting the diverse needs of the creative industry. Learners will deepen their understanding of diverse methodologies that enable a critical framework for specialised art production, study and research. These competencies will enable learners to graduate with a high quality qualification in Fine Art which enhances their employability and further learning.

Rationale:
Fine Art, as part of the wider field of the arts, provides a rich source of experiences and understandings that cannot be gained through any other approach. Fine Art is practiced and valued in our complex and diverse society as an important outlet for the communication of ideas, feelings and beliefs and as major source of intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development, understanding and enjoyment. Comprehensive and sequential learning experiences provide our learners with necessary skills, understanding and confidence to participate fully in the arts throughout their lives. The Advanced Diploma in Fine Art focuses on creativity, problem solving and decision-making, which form a solid basis of employment for our graduates. Arts and Culture play a crucial role in nation-building as well as in developing a new national identity reflective of our democracy.

The economic needs of fine artists are best seen, if taken out of a nation. Artists provide culture, inspiring infrastructure. They make high profile individuals stay in a city, or not. A city without museums, galleries, artist studios, art workshops, and art schools is not attractive. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. If a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification the appropriate credits will be assigned to the student. Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of Integrated Assessment.

This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow:
  • Accelerated access to further learning at this or higher levels on the.
  • Gaining of credits towards a unit standard.
  • Obtaining of this Qualification in part or in whole.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:
  • Diploma in Fine Art at Level 6.
    Or
  • National Diploma: Fine Art at Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Studio Practice 4 B, 44 Credits.
  • Art Theory 4 B, 16 Credits.
  • Studio Practice 4 A, 44 Credits.
  • Art Theory 4A, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate critical and independent thinking in the context of cultural discourse and art practice.
    2. Produce and present creative artefacts which demonstrate an integration of theory and practice of an appropriate professional and technical standard.
    3. Apply yourself within a professional environment. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Interpret the breadth of contemporary fine art in its cultural, historical, international, intellectual and technological contexts in relation to personal art practice.
  • Articulate and inform verbally, visually and textually support artefacts in a form.
  • Articulate ideas and information comprehensibly in visual, oral and written forms; ideas and present work to audiences in a range of situations.
  • Engage with cultural, environmental, global, political, societal, historical, philosophical, ethical and theoretical issues relevant to contemporary art practice.
  • Evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to reach sound judgments.
  • Apply analytical and problem solving skills in a range of art related fields.
  • Source, navigate, select, retrieve, evaluate, manipulate and manage information from a variety of sources.
  • Select and employ communication and information technologies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Sustain and develop creative and specialist fine art practice in the use of materials, processes and locations.
  • Critically generated new ideas take creative risks and produce art works for exhibition and public projects.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the techniques and methods specific to the discipline.
  • Integrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of art in the contemporary world into a personal art practice.
  • Formulate and consider context and reception within different kinds of art practice and employ methods of reflection and evaluation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Demonstrate the ability to work in, and make positive contributions to, collaborative working environments.
  • Communicate personal skills, interests and abilities to others, for example in applying for further study or employment.
  • Identify and communicate personal strengths.
  • Develop audiences for creative work.
  • Demonstrate effective communication with a range of external and professional agencies.
  • Formulate an approach to business aspects regarding own art production.
  • Explore commercial relationships between the candidate`s creative work and the industry.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. An integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification.
  • Learning, teaching and assessment are inextricably interwoven. The assessment of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values shown in the qualification are integrated.
  • Assessment of fundamental skills and knowledge are integrated with other aspects and use practical contexts wherever possible. A variety of methods are used in assessment and tools and activities appropriate to the context in which the learner is working or will work. Where it is not possible to assess the learner in the workplace or on-the-job, simulations, case studies, role-plays and other similar techniques are used to provide a context appropriate to the assessment.
  • Theoretical and practical components are assessed together. During integrated assessments, the assessor makes use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools methods and assesses combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessment is provided through:
    > Portfolios.
    > Simulations.
    > Workplace assessments and practical workbooks.
    > Written assignments.
    > Written tests.
    > Case studies and case presentations.
    > Peer group evaluation.

    One on one contact if applicable:
    > Assessors give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
    > Assessment ensures that all the outcomes and critical cross-field outcomes are evaluated in an integrated manner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international qualifications in Fine Art are by majority the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (3 years) and the BA (Hons), which is a three to four year's course. Both are degree qualifications. The Diploma studies in Fine Art (Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain) are, if at all, rather in the vocational education and differ in length from one year (Advanced and Graduate Diploma), which can then be expanded to up to 3 years (full time). Our 'Advanced Diploma' would therefore compare rather to the third year of a BA Degree. The only directly comparable qualification internationally is the 'Advanced Diploma in Visual Art' (1 year) at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, because the prerequisite like with this diploma is a three year Diploma.

    This qualification is very similar to the Visual Arts programme, consisting of a Diploma of Visual Arts and Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts, at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Like them, this qualification focuses on the production of a portfolio of creative artwork that is multidisciplinary in nature. It also emphasises the development of skills with a foundation of a philosophical/theoretical nature. The lecturing staff in both institutions are practicing artists, and the focus within the programmes is on working towards an exhibition and acquiring practical industry experience.

    This qualification was compared with other qualifications offered at the 'School of Arts' at Loughborough University, England, and the 'Department of Art' at Curtin University, Perth, Australia. The Qualifications offered by these universities include the integration of theory and practice, work integrated learning (WIL), professional practice and interdisciplinary studio practice.

    This qualification compares favourably with the following qualifications:
  • In Australia, the Royal Melbourne Institute Technology offers an Advanced Diploma in Visual Art. These qualifications compare favourably in terms of duration of studies which is one year.
  • In the United Kingdom, the Loughborough University offers comparable qualifications that include integration of theory and practice, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), professional practice and interdisciplinary studio practice. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • An Advanced Diploma in Art and Design.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fine Arts, Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art.

    Diagonal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Management Sciences.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education. 
    		•

    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. Durban 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.