SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110464  Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design 
ORIGINATOR
Inscape Education Group (Pty) Ltd 
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  Design Studies 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-09-11  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design prepares learners to specialise in the challenging field of User Experience and for further studies. The qualification focusses on developing skills in research, problem solving, conceptualising, systems design, prototyping, testing, software use and basic coding. Knowledge is drawn from diverse areas including design, aesthetics, technology, user experience, systems design, intellectual property law, psychology and communication. Learners therefore acquire a deep and systematic understanding of the current knowledge, theories, methodologies and practices in the specialist area of User Experience Design in order to identify complex user experience problems, formulate potential solutions and systems, create designs and test the efficacy of their solutions and appropriateness of the selected methods and techniques. The qualification aims to assist learners with developing the attributes necessary to thrive in this field such as collaboration, negotiation, facilitation, team work and communication. Learners are expected to become ethical individuals and lifelong learners in order to continue to learn, grow and adapt in the fast-changing workplace. The qualification addresses the niche job market and prepares learners for Postgraduate studies.

Rationale:
The rationale for this qualification is to address the niche job market of the evolving User Experience Design field. The qualification is well suited for qualified designers who wish to specialise in this field in order to advance their design careers. With a current scarcity of accredited User Experience qualifications and a rapidly growing industry, the qualification looks to address the shortage of qualified User Experience designers in this field. As large organisations look to face the challenges and uncertainty of rapid technological development and changing markets, the qualified User Experience Designer is well equipped to research, analyse and offer potential solutions to companies that engage with users regularly. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applications from learners who wish to take the RPL route will be considered. The learner would be required to follow the institutions RPL policy and procedure and provide evidence of earning to be assessed.

In RPL, processes are designed to grant access, credits or advanced standing. An RPL application is evaluated against the requirements of the qualification in question. Learners seeking access to the Advanced Diploma User Experience Design but do not have an appropriate entrance qualification may be considered for the RPL route but will only be admitted at the Academic Committee's discretion in accordance with the RPL policy. An RPL assessment process is used to evaluate the knowledge and skills of learners wishing to gain access, credits or advanced standing.

Supporting documents that learners may submit to provide evidence for their knowledge, skills and values include but are not limited to a curriculum vitae with a detailed work history, portfolios of completed work, workplace training schedules and examples, certificates for appropriate non-accredited software training and reference letters from workplace supervisors. Examples must have been completed within the past five years.

Learners will be asked to complete a written assignment and to produce design work if they have no such evidence. In certain circumstances learners may be asked to participate in an interview with the Dean either in person or telephonically/electronically.

The broad Level Descriptors for the NQF Level will provide guidelines for evaluating the evidence submitted. The Registrar will communicate the outcome and provide feedback in writing to the learner. For the Advanced Diploma User Experience Design, RPL process may lead to credits. Credits might be appropriate if the applicant had extensive industry and software experience in the User Experience field. The software that the learner is proficient in should be aligned with the software taught in the User Experience Design qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Diploma in Design Studies, Level 6, 360 Credits.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Design Studies, Level 7, 360 Credits.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts in Design, Level 7, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.
    Modules:
  • UX Research, 15 Credits.
  • Communication, 9 Credits.
  • Introduction to Psychology, 10 Credits.
  • IP Law, 4 Credits.
  • UX Design, 25 Credits.
  • UX Design Technology, 19 Credits.
  • UX Final Project, 30 Credits.
  • Experiential Learning, 8 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate knowledge, theories and practice relating to the field of User Centered Design and supporting disciplines.
    2. Create user experience solutions through applying research methodologies and analysis, design thinking, design methods, design processes and techniques.
    3. Engage and evaluate the knowledge, procedures, explanations and practices that apply to the field of User Experience Design.
    4. Evaluate, engage with, and apply key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the field and practice to different contexts.
    5. Make use of a range of methods and procedures for research, enquiry and design.
    6. Implement systematic, critical and design thinking to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and ethically address complex design problems in a variety of contexts, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
    7. Manage and take responsibility for own learning. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated way across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Solutions are provided for complex design problems through integrating the knowledge and theories from the field of User Centered Design and various disciplines.
  • Design solutions are created by following a user experience design process incorporating research methodologies and analysis, design thinking, design methods, processes and techniques.
  • The key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the field and practice are applied in a range of contexts.
  • The knowledge, procedures and explanations regarding user experience and user experience design are evaluated.
  • Ethical standards are used to inform design solutions and professional behaviour.
  • Information from a variety of sources is gathered, accessed, validated, organised and managed.
  • Decisions are communicated and substantiated making use of well-formed arguments using appropriate academic, professional, or occupational discourse.
  • The design solutions offered for complex problems are positioned within identified and analysed contexts and systems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated, authentic assessment, using a range of assessment techniques that allow the learner to evidence their knowledge, skills, attributes and competence is used. There is an expectation of learners to apply and integrate knowledge, theory and skills in contexts appropriate to learning in the creative disciplines.

    Assessment for the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design covers a range of methods and allowing for both academic and industry requirements to inform learning outcomes. The fundamentals are described in the Syllabus document and each module has a number of assessment opportunities which are documented in the courseware. In the courseware, the learning outcomes and related assessment criteria are described in more detail for each assessment. The assignments, called briefs, require the learner to provide evidence for learning of the requisite knowledge, skills, competencies and attributes. Each brief has a further breakdown to address the categories of creativity, knowledge, skills and values. These categories are indicative of an approach which requires an integration of theoretical and experiential learning in application, for each assignment.

    Learners will complete a variety of assessments appropriate to evaluate the complex achievements of the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design. Complex achievements are more effectively assessed using a holistic approach, rather than the type of assessment that occurs in examinations. The assessment tools used in this qualification include individual and group assignments, written assignments (such as papers, reports, proposals, blogs), verbal and visual presentations, practical pro-jects (including live projects), case studies and analysis, portfolios of evidence (including reflection, videos, visual diaries, drawings) and experiential learning in the workplace. A combination of group and individual projects are used, as working in teams is an important skill required in industry.

    Formative and summative assessment:
    Each module of the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design provides both formative and summative assessment opportunities, and at each stage, learners are provided with feedback. As the design process is a significant element of the professional practice of UX design, learners receive feedback at various stages of the process. Feedback occurs in the class/studio as well as at the research, conceptualising, planning, draft and presentation stages. Formative assessment may be formal or informal but are always appropriate and relevant to the learning and progress. Final summative assessments for the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design are externally moderated. The summative assessments are a culmination of the work completed in the qualification and therefore are predominantly in the form of portfolios of evidence for the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design. Once again these are designed in such a way as to integrate theory and practice.

    Assessment of experiential learning:
    As the experiential learning component of the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design is credit bearing (8 Credits), learning in this subject is assessed. Learners and their work supervisor are required to document the experience and learning. Learners are required to submit all documentation and a portfolio to their lecturer for assessment. This process is described in the courseware which includes Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria for WIL. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    User Experience Design is a new field that is developing in the design industry. There are currently a limited number of institutions that offer accredited qualifications in the field. However, the following institutions offer similar qualifications to the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design.

    The MAEER's MIT Institute of Design in India offers a four-year Bachelor of Design specialising in User Experience Design. The first three semesters address the fundamentals of design, whilst semesters 4 to 8 focus on user experience and related subjects. The aim of the qualification is to produce learners who "will be able to design and conduct usability studies of both traditional artefacts' and systems where experience is important". Alignment with the Advanced Diploma in User Experience Design occurs in the later semesters which is appropriate for an Advanced Diploma.

    The University of Brighton in the UK offers a User Experience Design MSc (PGCert PGDip). This is a one-year full-time, or two to six-year part-time programme. It offers the following core modules and certain options:
  • Interaction Design and Evaluation Process.
  • Interface and Information Design.
  • Research Methods.
  • Major Project.
  • Options (subject to change):
  • Marketing for Interactive Technologies.
  • Interactive Technologies Business Context.
  • Intellectual Property Law.
  • Web Development.
  • Creative Design Lab.
  • Project Management.
  • Independent portfolio project.
  • Independent research project.

    The Bradley University in the USA offers a User Experience as an elective in the four-year degree in Interactive Media. Over the required eight semesters, the learner completes a mix of electives and core subjects. The User Experience electives align with the subjects in the Advanced Diploma in User Experience design as follows:
  • Principles of Psychology.
  • Concepting and Storytelling for IM.
  • User Research and Usability.
  • Interactive Media, Theory, and Practices.
  • Interactive Media Practicum.
  • User Experience Design Capstone. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for vertical articulation.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Design Studies, NQF Level 8.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Design Technology, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Brand Innovation, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    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. Inscape Education Group - Cape Town 
    2. Inscape Education Group - Midrand (formerly Johannesburg) 
    3. Inscape Education Group - Pretoria 


    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.