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 Fine Art 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112686  Postgraduate 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
Postgraduate 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 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-10-30  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 purpose of this Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art is to provide learners with a qualification that supports and intellectually stimulates them in their chosen field of expertise. Learners are provided with an environment where they can develop their critical and practical skills relevant to contemporary art practices:
  • Demonstrate the critical and studio-based skills relevant to contemporary art practices,
  • Produce challenging contemporary artworks that consider audience and context,
  • Investigate the historical and contemporary role of the artist,
  • Undertake independent research,
  • Make independent judgements and decisions and articulate these as participants in contemporary global society,
  • Participate in diverse and interconnected activities such as curating, exhibiting and critical writing.

    This qualification aims to provide learners with new opportunities to produce challenging contemporary artworks that may emphasise the audience and context and investigate the role of the artist in the 21st century.

    Through this qualification, learners will further deepen their knowledge and understanding of their chosen aspects of art-making, with an ongoing special emphasis on risk-taking, curiosity, innovation and adventurousness. They will broaden the contextualisation of their work regarding theoretical, historical, cultural, political and ethical issues within a global arena. Learners are expected to participate in interconnected activities such as curating, exhibiting and critical writing. Learners will extend their understanding of diverse methodologies that enable a critical framework for specialist art production, study and research. These competencies will enable learners to graduate with this high-quality qualification in Fine Art, which enhances their employability and further studies.

    Rationale:
    South Africa has the most sustainable visual arts economy in Africa, with nearly R2 billion turnover and another R1 billion in added value annually. The visual arts industry is found in the urban centres, with Johannesburg and Cape Town as the leading centres, followed by Durban, which makes the placement of the department a good choice.

    Fine Art in South Africa is by far smaller than in non-African countries with a comparable infrastructure. This is mainly due to a low budget for this field by the government. On the other hand, the government funds about 30% of the non-profit organisations and public institutions that operate in the sector. They play a significant role in the visual arts system - public art museums, art schools in tertiary institutions and funding agencies. It is therefore essential that this qualification functions as one of the main producers of fine artists and related professions.

    This qualification will address the areas of scarce and critical skills lacking in the industry, for example, the areas of arts administration, management and entrepreneurship (relating primarily to tertiary education and the provision of work-based training).

    Fine Art is practised and valued in our complex and diverse society as an important outlet for the communication of ideas, feelings and beliefs and is a major source of intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development, understanding and enjoyment. Comprehensive and sequential learning experiences provide learners with necessary skills, understanding and confidence to participate fully in the arts throughout their lives. The qualification places emphasis on creativity, problem-solving and decision-making, which form a solid basis of employment for learners.

    Arts and Culture play a crucial role in nation-building as well as in developing a new national identity reflective of our democracy (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts & Culture 2014). The White Paper for Arts, Culture and Heritage identified three key policy objectives:
  • Growing new audiences and consumers of the arts (relating primarily to the provision of arts education in schools).
  • Growing future creative talent (relating primarily to the provision of arts education in high schools, FET colleges and universities).
  • Addressing areas of scarce and critical skills lacking in the industry.

    This qualification also enables learners to expand their studies and obtain (if desired) the qualification of a Master of Fine Art. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's policies and procedures encourage RPL through a process of assessment. The learners' experience is evaluated against the learning outcomes of modules for which the learner wishes to gain credit. This is accomplished by submission of a portfolio of relevant Fine Art work and other information, by interview, and in some cases by the setting of projects to provide evidence of the learner's competences. The learner may also apply for credits against specific modules based on credits from other institutions.

    The institution will appoint a dedicated RPL officer who will oversee the process in collaboration with the HoD and relevant specialist lecturers. Upon assessment, the learner will enter the qualification at an appropriate level.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Art Theory 5A, 24 Credits.
  • Art Theory 5B, 24 Credits.
  • Studio Practice 5A, 36 Credits.
  • Studio Practice 5B, 36 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate critical and independent thinking in all fields.
    2. Demonstrate a capacity to critically engage with established opinions and views, while exercising intellectual and artistic independence through adding an original voice into the ongoing cultural conversation that is the fine arts.
    3. Engage in individual art practice through sustained engagement with a particular creative process, involving research, reflection, writing, experimentation, innovation, synthesis, analysis and presentation. 

    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 concerning personal art practice.
  • Support artefacts are verbally, visually and textually.
  • Evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions to reach sound judgements.
  • Effectively demonstrate, apply and communicate analytical and problem-solving skills in a range of art-related employment.
  • 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:
  • Comprehensively articulate individual artistic ideas and information; ideas and present work to audiences in chosen fields.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental techniques and methods specific to the discipline.
  • 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 the commercial relationships between the candidate`s creative work and the industry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Engage with societal, historical, philosophical, ethical and theoretical issues relevant to its contemporary art practice.
  • Generate new ideas critically and take risks creatively risks and produce for exhibition and public projects.
  • Sustain and develop a creative and specialist fine art practice in the use of materials, processes and locations.
  • Integrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of art in the contemporary world into personal art practice.
    Formulate and consider questions of context and reception in different kinds of art practice and employ methods for reflection and evaluation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way. 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.
  • 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,
  • Studio assessments,
  • Written assignments,
  • Peer group evaluation,
  • One on one contact if applicable. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international qualifications in Fine Art are by majority the BA (3 years) and the BA (Hons), which is a three to four year's qualification. The Diploma studies in Fine Art in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain are vocational education. They differ in length from one year (Advanced and Graduate Diploma), which is up to 3 years (full time). The 'Postgraduate Diploma' therefore, compares to the fourth year of a BA. We are not aware of a directly comparable course internationally. The Chinhoyi University of Technology in Zimbabwe offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours which is comparable to the Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art to modules and content.

    The Loughborough University in England also offers a 4-year Fine Art BA (Hons) with a placement year. The 'Department of Art' at Curtin University, Perth, Australia, also offers a 4-year Bachelor of Art (Fine Arts). The qualifications offered by these universities include the integration of theory and practice, professional practice and interdisciplinary studio practice, which is similar to this qualification.

    In Canada, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design offers a 4-year Bachelor of Fine Arts. The Canadian qualification is similar to the Postgraduate Diploma, as it precedes a Master in Fine Art. It offers the traditional Studio Practice options of Drawing/Painting/Sculpture and Printmaking, similar to this qualification, with additional electives in a variety of fields, such as Film Studies, Illustration, and Textiles. The selection of this qualification and institution for comparison is one of the few that focuses on the traditional 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional studio disciplines. Elsewhere the focus of Fine Art education has shifted towards multimedia approaches that emphasise video and digital skills. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Jewellery Design, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Fine Art, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Visual and Performing Art, Level 9.
  • Master of Applied Arts, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Management Sciences, NQF 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. 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.