SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
119973	Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion
ORIGINATOR
Vaal 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		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
Reregistered		EXCO 0333/25	2025-07-10	2028-07-10
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-07-10		2032-07-10

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
112546	Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

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 and be innovative and creative in the fashion sector. The qualification provides learners with advanced competencies, experience, skills and understanding required for developing innovation and originality and combining 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, 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 the 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 the 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 master's and eventually a Doctorate. Learners completing this qualification will have an advantage in the discipline of fashion, as the qualification design focuses on visual practice.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access:

Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules:

Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit:

Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Advanced Diploma in Fashion, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Fashion, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Commerce in Fashion, NQF Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits.

Professional practice: computer-aided creative and technical fashion drawing, 20 Credits.

Professional practice: patternmaking and prototyping, 20 Credits.

Fashion atelier management, 30 Credits.

Research methods and design, 20 Credits.

Research project, 30 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Solve complex fashion-related problems by applying critical thinking, creative problem-solving skills and research-informed strategies relating to the field of study.
2. Apply enhanced knowledge related to professional practice skills to evaluate, analyse, design, and develop products.
3. 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.
4. Conduct research in a professional manner. Apply and communicate professional and ethical values across professional practices, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design.
5. 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.
6. Demonstrate entrepreneurship, business strategies, branding and quality control within all the modules in the module structure: professional practice, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Solve complex fashion-related problems.

Apply critical strategies through creative problem-solving skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply skills, evaluating, analysing product design and development competencies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Engage with technology and computer-aided applications to develop an original product.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Conduct research in a professional manner.

Apply and communicate professionally.

Explore ethical values across professional practices, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

conduct research in an independent professional and ethical manner.

Identify, collect, analyse, and interpret data on an advanced level.

Solve fashion-related problems.

Report on fashion-related problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Implement, apply, and integrate entrepreneurship, business strategies, branding and quality control across professional practices, fashion atelier management, and research methods and design.

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

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

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

Assessment of modules in the Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion will be in accordance with the assessment policy of the institution. The learning guides for the modules contain the module outcomes and assessment criteria which must be satisfied to pass.

All the modules within the program are excessively assessed, both internally and externally. These assessments may include but are not limited to review by an external panel, industry experts, peer reviews, and lecturer evaluations.

The research project in fashion is particularly assessed by external moderator(s) where students present their projects aligned with the associated assessment criteria and exit-level outcomes of the programme.

Students will be assessed on their research proposal (oral and written) and on the fi report (written). An external moderator is needed for the final research reports.

External moderators will be used to verify the standard of the summative assessments. These moderators will have the necessary qualifications, as outlined in the institution's assessment policy, and are appointed on a contract basis.

Summative assessment (CASS) will be a portfolio of evidence.
Summative assessments are done during and on completion of the five (5) modules.

Re-assessment opportunities included:
Rewrites and resubmissions which shall only be accepted until CASS Policy are fully implemented on the HEQSF. Supplementary assessments proceed after the main assessment to be scheduled soon thereafter. Re-assessment is the final opportunity for assessments (this falls in line with the CASS Policy). Additional assessment opportunity includes special circumstance, which is only granted when written permission, with all supporting documents submitted. Assessments will take place within 7 days after the main assessment. Circumstances, which would allow for a special assessment, include illness supported by a medical certificate, serious injury, death of an immediate member and postponement decided upon by the institution. Special assessments are done during time slots scheduled for supplementary events.

Internal and external moderation/examination
Assessors and Moderators are appointed in the Faculty Board meeting and approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for specific modules on a contract basis. Replacements are also authorised and approved by Senate. Moderators may be full- or part-time lecturers and can also include subject experts outside the campus.

Assessment tools aim to encourage students to give an account of their thinking and decision-making that underpins their demonstrated performance whether theoretical or practical of nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is flexible varying according to the nature of the module.

Assessment regulations are approved by Senate. Summative assessments are done on completion of modules. Assessors and moderators should be from the academia fashion and design sectors.

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:

Country: Australia
Institution: Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
Qualification Title: Bachelor of Fashion Design (Honours)
NQF Level: 8
Duration: One year full-time
Entry Requirements:
Learners must have successfully completed an Australian three-year bachelor's degree in fashion design (or equivalent overseas qualification) with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0.

Purpose:
As a graduate, learners will be engaged designers, critically aware of the larger ethical, social, cultural, environmental, and political concerns that need to be addressed in contemporary relevant design practice.

Exit Level Outcomes:
As a graduate, learners will develop the following learning outcomes:

Demonstrate extensive and advanced knowledge of fashion, its related disciplines and emerging global markets

Develop critical and ethical strategies to practice and communicate your knowledge of fashion in a global context

Acquire and apply advanced and critical design strategies and thinking to address global and contemporary concerns of fashion practice

Employ individual and specialised fashion design skills and techniques in the industry, fashion materials, communication, and presentation

Articulate complex design ideas and communicate professionally and effectively to a range of audiences, markets, and personas

Work collaboratively with other practices, collectives, industry and community partners and cross-culturally to plan and produce fashion design projects

Critically reflect on your practice in fashion to develop independent thinking, sound judgement and ethical responsibility

Undertake research into contemporary fashion design practice and theory to explore the possible industry and career directions.

Qualification structure:
The RMIT qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules.

Fashion Design Studio 7, 24 Credit points.

Fashion Design Professional Practice, 12 Credit points.

Fashion Design Research, 12 Credit points.

Fashion Design Honours Research Project, 24 Credit points.

Advanced Fashion Materials, Techniques and Expressions, 24 Credit points.

Fashion Practice Research Strategies, 12 Credit points.

Fashion Practice Research Communication, 12 Credit points.

Assessment:
Assessments focus on refining industry-relevant and portfolio-building skills, including progressive approaches to fashion communication and presentation, innovating the material, and technique and process palettes of the design, which will provide the confidence to take the next step in the career trajectory. Learners will develop practice through:

Innovative fashion design.

Advanced creative skills.

Conceptual thinking.

Critical analysis and practical expertise to support original fashion ideas, and depth of research for proposed design opportunities.

Assessment involves learning by doing and includes reports, written reflection, practical assignments, research and experimental projects, portfolios, oral and visual presentations and peer or industry reviews.

Articulation:
Master of Fashion (Design)
Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship)
Master of Design (Fashion and Textiles)
Master of Technology (Fashion and Textiles)

Similarities
Compared to the South African (SA) qualification, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) holds various similarities.

Both the RMT and SA qualifications are offered over a period of one year full-time.

Both qualifications are registered at NQF Level 8.

Both qualifications require applicants who completed the three bachelor's degrees in a fashion-related field.

The RMIT qualification also has a strong professional practice referred to as the 'studio' component, and an emphasis is also placed on technology and innovation within practical problem-solving. As with other qualifications at this level, emphasis is placed on the ability to engage in research within the broader context of design. This is achieved through utilising digital and information systems, discipline-specific discourse, conceptual frameworks, and reference to the work of others in the field. This final year provides the blueprint to define the learners' direction in fashion design.

Similar modules:

Fashion Design Professional Practice is compared to Professional Practice: patternmaking and prototyping in the SA qualification.

Fashion Design Research, Fashion Practice Research Strategies and Fashion Design Honours Collection are compared to Research methods and design in the SA qualification.

Both the RMIT and SA qualifications articulate vertically to a master's degree in the cognate field.

Country: United Kingdom
Institution: University of Winchester
Qualification Title: BA (Hons) Fashion and Textile Design
NQF Level: 6
Credits: 360
Duration: Three years - Full-time

Entry requirements:

Pass of Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) or BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design.

Exit Level Outcomes:
Having successfully completed the qualification, learners will be able to:

Apply methods of enquiry and reflection which will enable them to critically evaluate the qualities in their work to relate their ideas to an intended context.

Evaluate and challenge the conceptual and technical boundaries of their discipline.

Generate ideas through enquiry, analysis, and critical reflection.

Inform their practice by analysing and critically reflecting on contemporary issues.

Develop their ideas by applying thinking and concepts informed by a context of recent approaches to the practice and theory of your discipline.

Research informed broad-based appreciation of design practice, including the work of contemporary national and international practitioners and how they represent different professional, cultural and technological contexts.

Have an in-depth understanding of fashion, knitwear, or textile design, informed by recent research, including the professional, cultural, and technological innovations evolving in this field (depending on your chosen pathway: Fashion Design, Knitwear for Fashion, Printed Textiles and Woven Textiles).

Qualification structure:
Each year, learners need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

Assessment:
Formative: Portfolio Development and Essay Proposal.
Summative: Portfolio and Essay (4000 words).

Similarities:

The University of Winchester (UoW) and the South African (SA) qualifications share the same exit level outcomes.

The following UoW final year compulsory modules are comparable to the SA qualification.

Professional Practice for Fashion and Textile Design, 45 Points are compared to Professional Practice: patternmaking and prototyping, 20 Credits in SA qualification.

Final Project for Fashion and Textile Design, 45 Points are compared to the Research project, 30 Credits in SA qualification.

Reflective Journal 3 for Fashion and Textile Design, 15 Points are compared to Professional Practice: patternmaking and prototyping, 20 Credits in SA qualification.

Differences:

The University of Winchester (UoW) qualification has a strong textile Design component while the South African (SA) qualification has a strong fashion component.

The UoW qualification is offered over a period of three years full time whereas the SA qualification takes one year of full-time study.

The UoW qualification is registered at Level 6 whereas the SA qualification is registered at NQF Level 8.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Fashion, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Visual Arts in Fashion, NQF Level 9.

Master of Visual Arts and Design 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 (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.	Vaal University of Technology