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: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112546  Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate 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 08  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 Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion is designed to provide learners with the necessary skills and develop competencies to do research, be innovative and creative in the fashion sector. The qualification provides learners with advanced competencies, experience, skills and understanding required to for developing innovation and originality and to combine practice and research competence.

Originality is critical in the fashion sector, and therefore to be successful, the development of specialised skills which combines practice and research is critical within the qualification. This qualification develops strong entrepreneurial skills for self-employment, as well as the employment and transfer of skills to others. The qualification design is unique, and the core modules within the qualification will assist learners in acquiring specialised skills in strategic areas in the fashion environment. After the completion of this qualification, the learners will be employable with specialised advanced skills and competencies. They would most likely in future find themselves in a supervisory or managerial role within the fashion sector. This qualification will equip learners with skills and competencies that would contribute to research, the application and evaluation of existing knowledge of a specialised area of fashion design or garment technology. Also, the qualification is to enhance professional and personal development.

Rationale:
The qualification aims to empower the learner with the necessary research skills and knowledge to successfully meet the requirements and demands of the international trends in fashion design education and is imperative for progression and articulation purposes. This qualification assists learners in coping with the changing needs (nationally and internationally), markets and the latest technology. This qualification focuses on equipping learners to work independently or as part of a team. This qualification also prepares learners to contribute, through research, to the application and evaluation of existing knowledge to a specialised area of fashion design or garment technology, and enhance professional and personal development. Learners conduct advanced research and gain experience in the specialised area of fashion. These advanced skills will prepare learners for the challenges of the future as the expansion and development of the South African clothing industry as a workforce.

The institution conducted a national and international benchmarking exercise with higher education institutions as well as consultation with relevant stakeholders. The benchmarking revealed the importance of inclusion of a research component in the qualification to prepare learners for further studies. Learners with an advanced diploma in a relevant discipline will be able to articulate into the Postgraduate Diploma, after that Masters and eventually a Doctorate. Learners completing this qualification will have an advantage in the discipline of fashion, as the qualification design focuses on is visual practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The details of the RPL policy are as follows, presuming prior accredited learning has taken place:
  • Learner applies for RPL against the module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department.
  • The complete exemption form for the RPL of modules or part/full qualification.
  • Credits are awarded for relevant, approved prior learning (RPL).
  • Only then may the prospective learner continue with full registration.

    The details of the Faculty RPL policy are as follows, presuming NO prior accredited learning has taken place:
  • Learner applies for RPL against the module, or part/full qualification at the relevant department.
  • RPL officer appointment is within-subject heads (Subject experts) within the department.
  • The subject expert meets with the learner to conduct pre-screening (evaluation) to ascertain the viability of application based on qualification requirements (exit level outcomes and assessment criteria).
  • Learner prepares evidence of work (portfolio of evidence) and any other relevant proof of evidence (practical work, assignments and or assessments). The learner submits evidence to the RPL officer for RPL evaluation process.
  • Learner pays an initial fee to be RPL.
  • The learner then completes an RPL form and submits it to RPL officer.
  • An assessor from within the department is then appointed.
  • The assessor assesses evidence submitted by the learner. However, additional evidence may be requested.
  • A moderator from the department's advisory board and from within the industry is appointed.
  • The moderator moderates the learner's evidence.
  • The moderator reports on the assessor's judgment.
  • RPL outcome is presented to faculty board by RPL officer.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Fashion, NQF, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Research Project in Fashion, 50 Credits.
  • Fashion Project Practical Portfolio, 70 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Solve complex fashion related problems by applying critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills and research informed strategies relating to the field of study.
  • Apply enhanced knowledge related to professional practical skills to evaluate, analyse, design and develop products.
  • Engage with technology and computer aided applications through advanced competencies to enhance design skills, such as software and creative skills, towards the development of an original product.
  • Conduct research in a professional manner. Apply and communicate professional and ethical values across professional practices, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design.
  • Conduct research in an independent professional and ethical manner, identify, collect, analyse and interpret data on an advanced level to solve and report on fashion related problems.
  • Demonstrate entrepreneurship, business strategies, branding and quality control within all of the modules in the module structure: professional practice, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Evaluate, select and apply appropriate advanced fashion knowledge, principles, practices, skills and technologies to critically and creatively consider various research informed innovative strategies and approaches, leading to workable creative solutions to re-solve fashion related problems.
  • Consolidate and apply a range of advanced and emerging knowledge, techniques and technologies to enhance professional practical skills (procedures, processes, systems and approaches) informing the evaluation, analyses, design, development and construction of appropriate original products for the fashion industry.
  • Apply competencies in selecting appropriate materials, equipment, technologies, software and computer aided applications, to enhance innovative and creative design skills required for developing, designing and producing an original product, which meets the desired fashion marketplace needs, while maintaining applicable standards, ethics, codes of practice and legislation (e.g. social, economic, legal, health, safety, and environmental).
  • Conduct research in an ethical, professional manner by consulting and critically engaging with relevant literature, research planning, designing and executing investigations (data collection and analysis), drawing conclusions and recommendations from analysis of all relevant evidence gathered or generated, which is appropriately recorded, communicated and documented.
  • Apply acquired research skills to autonomously, ethically and professionally engage in identifying, evaluating, selecting and utilising appropriate research methods, skills, technologies and computer aided applications for advanced interpretations, diagnostics, predictions and modelling, as required by the discipline, with the fashion related results and solutions produced, being critically assessed for applicability and limitations against the required solutions, results or products, which are reported on and documented accordingly.
  • Implement and utilise specific fashion knowledge and advanced technical skills (e.g. CAD, mood boards, drawings, technical flow charts and graphics, etc.) integrated with entrepreneurial skills, principles and practice (entrepreneurial fashion business management and strategies, branding, marketing and quality control), including appropriate technologies and ability to communicate information (e.g. research, designs, projects, products) professionally to a diverse audience (e.g. fashion atelier activities, management, industry and the fashion marketplace).

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of modules is following the assessment policy of the institution. The learning guides for the modules contain the module intended outcomes and assessment criteria which must be satisfied to pass.

    Both formative and summative assessment are integral components of all modules within the qualification and have an application to continuous assessment, ensuring overall applied competence. Formative assessment occur mainly through group discussions, practical exercises and feedback, presentation of assignments written report.

    Summative assessment practices will be implemented to assess the achievement of outcomes. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international qualification provides learners with the experience, skills and necessary understanding required to enable them to achieve their full potential. Also, develops innovation and originality to combine practice and research competence. The following are the comparable international Fashion courses:
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fashion: (University of Central Lancashire).
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fashion Design: (University of South Wales).
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours Fashion Degree: (FEDISA).
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fashion Design: (Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong).

    London College of Fashion: Postgraduate Diploma Fashion Design Technology:
    The Postgraduate Diploma Fashion Design Technology is a one-year intensive course. The qualification prepares learners to develop further and consolidate the principles of a UK design process experience to prepare for relevant MA progression.
    The qualification offers a synthesis of concept and research development, design process, 3D creative production and academic grounding. Also, prepares a learner to become an independent, ambitious and experimental designers who is willing to take risks.

    Through the development of aesthetic awareness and understanding, a portfolio of work will be developed to promote the learner as a cutting edge creative designer to the world. Learners will leave the course with an understanding and confidence in both conceptual and realistic fashion design outputs.

    University of Central Lancashire: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fashion:
    Learners to work independently throughout a series of guided and highly individual projects. These are for inclusion in personal portfolios and national and international competitions. As a final module, learners design and produce a collection of six to eight outfits aimed to showcase on a catwalk. Modules assessed through project-based work and in some cases, a portfolio. Learners present a minimum range of 6 to 8 outfits, supported by a market/ customer profile, together with a personalised portfolio of directional design work.

    University of Westminster: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Design:
    The Bachelor of Art in Fashion Design prepares professionals with extensive technical and cultural knowledge through learning concepts from the fashion field, based on creativity and analysis of the needs of the market. The emphasis in on the improvement of practical abilities by the exigencies of the professional world. Didactics focuses on a practical methodology of experimental projects and business simulations performed jointly with professionals in the sector. The qualification has subject modules that develop learners as individuals and to become innovative and creative designers. Also challenge them to develop an aesthetic style relevant to the international fashion industry. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Postgraduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Fashion, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Cognate Master of Visual Arts in Fashion, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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 of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
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    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.