SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117858	Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (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
National First Degree	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Design Studies
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2020-09-29	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2033-06-30

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 replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
97497	Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	375	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of disciplines and fields of study. The learner will be able to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context where general principles and theory as preparation for entry into general employment or for a postgraduate qualification are emphasised.

Upon completion of the qualification the learner will be able to:

Demonstrate and apply an understanding of business management concepts in the realm of fashion.

Demonstrate the ability to apply marketing and brand management principles to the commercial world-of-fashion-merchandising practice.

Constructively apply buying and merchandising concepts and strategies in the retail fashion industry.

Apply the appropriate ethical and labour practices in the fashion industry.

Demonstrate sufficient real-world application of the processes of trend analysis and synthesis.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion qualification is designed to provide learners with fashion merchandising knowledge, skills and capability in order to service and develop the occupational field of commercial fashion work in a broad range of fashion merchandising sub-fields, from product development and supply management through to marketing, retail and business management.

This qualification provides a balance in fashion merchandising fields that are broadly enabling in relation to career pathways while providing opportunities for specialisation through vertical articulation pathways. In the increasingly competitive, sophisticated and changing world of commerce, the development of higher order skills both cognitive and practical is essential. The commercial fashion practitioner is increasingly required to access and consolidate (through knowledge reproduction), or to generate (through new knowledge production), detailed and complex information at theoretical and practical levels in order to make effective decisions. This qualification provides a viable platform for knowledge production in the associated fields of commercial practice through postgraduate participation.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL candidates who can demonstrate proficiency in a) the whole qualification; or b) any module contained therein; or c) any part of a module contained in the qualification, may be granted RPL exemption from the qualification, or module/s, and receive credits for same, upon applying to the RPL facilitator and after the successful submission of assessment outputs consistent with the RPL policy and practices of the institution.

Learners who do not meet the technical admission criteria but who are of a mature age and/or hold equivalent knowledge acquired through work and/or life experience may be granted RPL exemption from the technical admission criteria for access to the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:

National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Bachelor's Degree admission
Or

Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement
Or

National Certificate Vocational (NCV).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprise of 23 compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 375 Credits.

NQF Level 5 modules, 147 Credits:

Business Studies and Management 01, 18 Credits.

Marketing and Brand Management 01, 18 Credits.

Consumer Buying behaviour 01, 18 Credits.

Economics 01, 18 Credits.

Financial Accounting and Management 01, 26 Credits.

Computer Literacy and Design 01, 7 Credits.

Fashion Practice 01, 16 Credits.

Textiles and Fashion 01, 14 Credits.

Trend Analysis 01, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 6 modules, 96 Credits:

Business Studies and Management 02, 18 Credits.

Marketing and Brand Management 01, 18 Credits.

Consumer Buying behaviour 02, 18 Credits.

Company Law 02, 14 Credits.

Fashion Practice 02, 16 Credits.

Trend Analysis 02, 12 Credits.

NQF Level 7 modules, 132 Credits:

Business Studies and Management 03, 22 Credits.

Marketing and Brand Management 03, 22 Credits.

Consumer Buying behaviour 03, 22 Credits.

Project Management 03, 18 Credits.

Industrial Psychology 03, 18 Credits.

Trend Analysis 03, 18 Credits.

Experiential learning 03, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of business management concepts in the realm of fashion.
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply marketing and brand management principles to the commercial world-of-fashion-merchandising practice.
3. Constructively apply buying and merchandising concepts and strategies in the retail fashion industry.
4. Apply the appropriate ethical and labour practices in the fashion industry.
5. Demonstrate sufficient real-world application of the processes of trend analysis and synthesis.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

The basic business environment including the dominant structures and operational systems that characterise commercial enterprises and the context and nature and management practices in commercial enterprises of different sizes are analysed.

Business and management plans are prepared and implemented.

The nature of planning, organising, leadership and control (POLC) as necessary and critical management skills and tasks essential in the development of business structures and strategies are understood.

Economic systems and their constituent elements, with particular reference to local economic systems are understood.

The concept of the enterprise (fashion business) as a need satisfying and profit-making institution within the free-market system, and in macro/microenvironments is investigated and subsequently discussed.

The strategies for innovation within the sphere of corporate entrepreneurship, as well as the stages involved in setting up independent or small businesses are applied.

Brand building, business idea development and the compilation of comprehensive business plans that are underpinned by commercial viability and critical market research are understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

The different marketing and brand management theories and methodologies in Fashion are explained and implemented in the work context.

Marketing and brand management activities and strategies are identified and developed.

Practical brand building and business idea development is demonstrated and comprehensive plans that are underpinned by commercial viability and critical market research are compiled.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Different buying and merchandising concepts in retail fashion are critically analysed and examined.

Appropriate research methodologies are applied and independent thought in buying and merchandising is displayed.

Concepts in buying and merchandising are to be consolidated and implemented taking into consideration the different work contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

The relationship between textiles and the world of industry is investigated.

The associated qualities, behaviour, and characteristics as well as ethics and trade (laws and technologies) within the terrains of the fashion are analysed and interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome5:

The mastery of general principles and theories underpinning trend synthesis is demonstrated.

Ability to contextualise the multiplicity and diversity of the field in terms of creative, technological, sociological, cultural, economic and philosophical influences in an era of advanced globalisation that are impacting the evolution of dissemination and development of micro and macro trends is displayed.

The academic conventions and relevant applications to the writing, research and development of the study of fashion trends are understood.

Key terms and concepts necessary to navigate and understand the trend landscape are defined.

Current fashion trends are contextualised and contemporary influences in the broader fashion context are investigated.

Knowledge relating to trickle theories and colour research is applied and the practice of trend brailing, trend spotting and trend development is analysed.

Macro trends in the cultural environment that are shaping fashion direction and movement are analysed and interpreted.

Concepts within the contexts of both the art and fashion industries, locally and globally are explained.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and must ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. For this purpose, an integrated assessment approach is incorporated into the qualification.

A variety of methods are used as assessment and tools, and activities appropriate to the context in which the learner is working.

Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment will consist of assignments and tests.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment will consist of written examinations.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The University of the Arts London (Central Martins) offers a B.A Fashion: Fashion Design with Marketing. The qualification assists learners to develop appropriate intellectual and practical skills, and enables them to benefit from such diversity and to rise to the challenges it presents. B.A Fashion: Fashion Design with Marketing runs for full time over three years. The whole Degree qualification is Credit-rated at 360 Credits. To attain a B.A Fashion: Fashion Design with Marketing, learners must successfully complete 360 Credits.

University of Bridgeport:
The University of Bridgeport in the United States of America offers a three year Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Merchandising qualification. This qualification is designed to equip learners with skills that will prepare them for positions in the creative and executive levels of fashion, in areas such as, Fashion Marketing (domestic, international), Personnel Management, Retail Advertising and Promotion, Buying, Retail Management, Visual Merchandising, Textiles, Textile Design, E-tailing and Product Development. In addition to class work, learners are required to participate in a supervised internship program with approved retail organisations.

Conclusion:
This qualification compares favourably with both qualifications offered by the University of Arts London and the University of Bridgeport. All qualifications provide learners with intellectual knowledge and train them in related areas such as, fashion design, marketing, advertising, consumer behaviour, merchandising, textile design, buying, etc. To be able to complete the qualification, learners are required to complete an internship programme within the approved organisations.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification may provide possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce (General) at NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing at NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Marketing Management at NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing Management at NQF Level 8.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

This qualification is now offered by Stadio (Pty) Ltd, and no longer by LISOF - effective 29 September 2020

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.	Stadio (Pty) Ltd