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:

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
124710	Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts
ORIGINATOR
Academic Institute of Excellence (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
Registered		EXCO 0434/25	2025-08-21	2028-08-21
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-08-21		2034-08-21

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 the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts qualification is to develop digital art design specialists who will thrive in the world of commercial screen-based or virtual reality art forms. The qualification is designed with two streams: 3D, Modelling, Animation and Visual Effects and 2D Animation and Illustration. The two streams share a common foundation but distinct final outputs. The qualification will equip learners with the ability to work through the conceptual phase of digital art pre-production (primary research, mood boards and storyboarding) through the production or execution phase, through solid design and digital art theory in new media, as well as strong skill sets in technology and software to produce final outputs that are industry ready. Qualified learners will be furnished with the ability to continuously grow and develop themselves within the field of digital arts, and to this end, the qualification recognises the significant overlap in the competencies and skills of creative practitioners as well as the need to deepen the discipline-specific capabilities and skills of a digital artist and or new media specialist.

The Bachelor of Arts qualification comprises two (2) specialised career pathways:
The 3D Modelling, Animation, and Visual Effects is designed to ensure that learners are equipped with a broad knowledge and skills base to work in film, TV, digital design, animation, or the visual effects industry. With the use of Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects, amongst other relevant applications, the qualification will also equip the learners with skills in virtual reality.
The 2D Animation and Digital Illustration is designed to enable learners to illustrate characters and environments in both Illustrator and Photoshop, create professional storyboards, high-end concept art, NFTS and 2D digital art. The learners will also learn how to animate in After Effects and Toonboom focusing on telling a narrative through animation and character design. At exit level, the learner will be able to work in the field of 2D animation, as a concept artist, in film, television and gaming, as a storyboard artist and in digital design.

Upon completion of the qualification, a qualifying learner will be able to:

Solve real-world digital art problems through the creation of 2D animation solutions and illustrated digital art by independently applying integrated knowledge of digital art criteria using skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Provide evidence of self-directed creative processes and activities against the criteria of digital art and new media in 3D animation industry level solutions or in 2D animation and illustration industry level solutions.

Provide evidence of full accountability made by the individual learner in 3D animation digital arts and new media group projects scenario, or in 2D animation digital arts and new media group projects scenario.

Defend their understanding of the field of 3D animation and VFX in the digital arts and new media as well as its relationship to other fields or in 2D animation and illustration in digital arts and new media as well as its relationship to other fields of knowledge.

Rationale:
Qualifying learners of this qualification will acquire a comprehensive range of knowledge and skills necessary to apply their understanding of digital arts within the broader industry. Consequently, this qualification creates opportunities for graduates to make meaningful contributions to both society and the design industry. Learners gain a solid foundation in design practices and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to pursue further studies at the post-graduate level or enter the design industry. The institution believes that increasing access to learning will foster diversity within the industry, contributing to the advancement of digital arts as an academic field, and has identified digital arts as a strategic growth area for the country.

This qualification caters to the education and training of digital and new media design specialists. Learners who are awarded this qualification will be able to work in a range of different industries as digital art specialists, such as:

film

broadcast TV

UX and app design

game design

commercial art projects, as well as any other field that might require digital art output.
The learners will be able to design and develop products, content, and digital services based on design, animation, and digital art, and featuring a high degree of innovation and creativity.

This overall objective requires robust training in creative abilities and knowledge and command of new technologies and digital tools in the world of image, art and animation. In a thoughtful approach to meet the required technical skills and industry knowledge within the field of digital arts, as well as aligned with international standards.

This qualification caters to the education and training of designers as designated by the Department of Education in the Classification of Educational Subjects. In line with this, it is consistent with the Department of Education's description of a designer as someone who develops professional competent and employable digital art design specialists, equip learners with the skills to cross reference, conceptualise, create and support digital art and new media arguments, deliver a thorough foundation in both theoretical and practical digital art for further studies, enable learners to execute, analyse and evaluate digital art and new media and understand the industry pipeline of the preproduction phase (research, mood boards, narrative outlines, style frames and storyboards), the production phase (illustration and creation of assets needed for the final creative outputs as well as the texturing, lighting etc. of these assets. Animation and any other process necessary for the production will occur during this phase, and the postproduction phase (the composting)..

The rationale for this qualification is also to further the academic discipline of design, which has its roots as a vocational discipline. In this respect, the institution is feeding the national movement to reinforce the academic nature of design professions' alignment with established international norms (notably in European countries).

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The policy caters to learners who have not met the automatic admission requirements of the national senior certificate with a minimum of 50% in English. In brief, applicants are first screened for eligibility, which in essence checks whether they have some kind of experience over and beyond the national senior certificate.

Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants are given a brief detailing kinds of evidence to submit as part of a portfolio of evidence.
The intention is to determine that they have the necessary competencies to succeed in the undergraduate qualification. This is typically a basic drawing exercise and an assessment of English proficiency. It is understood as per regulation that only 10% of a cohort of learners may be RPL learners.

Entry Requirements:

National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.
Or

National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's degree studies.
Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
Or

Higher Certificate in Digital Art, NQF Level 5.
Or

Higher Certificate in the related field, NQF Level 5.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7, totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits:

Creative Practices I, 15 Credits.

Communication I, 15 Credits.

Technology and Professional Practice I, 15 Credits.

Critical Studies I, 15 Credits.

Critical Studies I, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits:

Creative Practice II (3D Modelling, Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Creative Practices II, 15 Credits.

Communication II 3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Technology and Professional Practice II3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Critical Studies II (3D, modelling, Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Critical Studies II (3D, modelling, Animation and VFX or 2D Animation, 15 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits:

Creative Practice III (3D Modelling, Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Communication III 3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Technology and Professional Practice III (3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

Critical Studies III (3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration), 15 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Solve real-world digital art problems through the creation of 2D animation solutions and illustrated digital art by independently applying integrated knowledge of digital art criteria using skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
2. Provide evidence of self-directed creative processes and activities against the criteria of digital art and new media in 3D animation industry level solutions or in 2D animation and illustration industry level solutions.
3. Provide evidence of full accountability made by the individual learner in 3D animation digital arts and new media group projects scenario, or in 2D animation digital arts and new media group projects scenario.
4. Defend your understanding of the field of 3D animation and VFX in the digital arts and new media, as well as its relationship to other fields or in 2D animation and illustration in digital arts and new media, as well as its relationship to other fields of knowledge.
5. Apply a range of concept simulation methods, processes, and techniques to create industry-ready 3D animations or 2D animations and digital illustrations.
6. Act ethically and professionally in a digital arts and new media environment.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

Operate in a range of familiar and new contexts, demonstrating an understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts, and the relationships between these parts, and understanding how actions in one area impact other areas within the same system.

Solve complex problems in the digital arts brief and produce outputs.

Manage processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts, recognising that problem solving is context- and system-bound, and does not occur in isolation.

Creative outputs developed by the learner show broad evidence of self-assessment and correction against the creative process criteria.

Provide digital art solutions that are appropriate and fit the profile assigned to the peer group.

Provide evidence of contributions made by the individual learner in group digital art project scenarios.

Defend own understanding of the field of 3D animation and VFX in the digital arts and new media, as well as its relationship to other fields of knowledge.

Defend own understanding of the field of 2D animation and illustration in digital arts and new media, as well as its relationship to other fields of knowledge.

Trace and describe the history of new media and digital arts in a written format.

Apply knowledge from related fields in digital arts and new media projects.

Communicate information reliably, accurately, and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, in written and oral or signed form or in practical demonstration, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright, and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.

Draw techniques accurately demonstrate characters, environments, and objects.

Illustrate an understanding of the fundamentals of animation.

Produce and use preproduction tools like storyboards, style frames, animatics, and mock-ups. Producing and communicating information.

Present information orally, in print, or electronically via the internet, with prescribed formats.

Take account of and act in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values, and practices, and seek guidance on ethical and professional issues where necessary.

Illustrate professional practice and ethical standards that align with the expected norms.

Apply knowledge and treat peer group members with respect.

Illustrate creative outputs in an informed understanding of introductory digital art principles and

Illustrate adaptability and understanding of the impact changes have on design criteria systems.

Develop creative outputs and show evidence of self-assessment and correction against the digital arts brief.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT
Formative and continuous assessment provides learners with feedback on the progress they are making. This feedback takes the form of:
� marking schedules
� verbal critiques of learner work
� written feedback on essays
� assignments and projects.
The assessment of all work is completed in accordance with the assessment criteria listed on a marking schedule.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment establishes what a learner has achieved at the end of each project, module, year, and qualification of study. This form of assessment is reflected in a separate portion of the marking schedules as marks for subjects. Subject marks accrue throughout the year towards an end-of-year aggregate. Subject marks and therefore the aggregates are reassessed at portfolio assessments, then both internally and externally moderated to ensure that they are a true reflection of the learner's ability.

An integrated assessment is a single brief or project that has multiple subject outputs. Integrated assessments are designed to mirror the industry, where a single project requires output across subject areas to be integrated and resolved holistically.

Internal and external moderation:
Both internal and external moderation take place during the final moderation period at the end of the year. Academics involved in similar qualifications are invited to attend the end-of-year portfolio review to comment on the fairness of the assessment and to benchmark the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The institution has extensive international relationships through which it can benchmark and compare its qualifications against.

Country: Spain
Institution name: Universitat Plotecnica de Catalunya
Qualification title: Bachelor's degree in design, Animation and Digital Art
Duration: Four years
Credits: 240 ECTS Credits

Entry requirements:

Secondary learners from UE Or

Learners with a started bachelor's degree abroad
Or

Other foreign secondary learners

Purpose/Rationale
The objective of the bachelor's degree in design, Animation and Digital Art is to provide learners with contemporary and specialised training in the framework of digital creativity. Learners will be able to design and develop digital products, content, and services in the areas of digital design, computer animation, digital audiovisual production and digital art that require a high degree of innovation and creativity. The overall objective of the degree calls for robust training in creative abilities, on the one hand, and knowledge and command of new technologies and digital tools in image, art and animation, on the other.

During their studies, learners will also learn to think critically about digital technologies, including the advantages of technologies, the context in which they are applied and their social and ethical implications.

Qualification structure
Modules:

Audiovisual History and Models6

Character Design6

Design Fundamentals6

Digital Art Industry6

Drawing and Digital Illustration6

Graphic Design6

Introduction to 3D Modelling6

Sound Editing and Design6

Virtual Reality Environments6

2D Animation Production6

3D Animation Production6, comparable to Critical Studies III (3D Environments6

3D Video Games6, comparable to III (3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration) Advanced Animation

Similarities:

The Universitat Plotecnica de Catalunya (UPC) and the South African (SA) qualifications both accept learners who have completed a senior secondary education.

Both qualifications foster critical reflection on digital technologies and develop the learners' knowledge about new media advantages and the context of application, as well as their social and ethical implications.

The teaching goals of the UPC qualification are to provide learners with contemporary and specialised training in the framework of digital creativity.

Similarly, the SA qualification aims to provide learners with the ability to design and develop products, content, and digital services based on design, animation, and digital art, and featuring a high degree of innovation and creativity.

Both qualifications offer similar modules such as 3D Animation Production6, Critical Studies III (3D Environments6 and 3D Video Games6, comparable to III (3D Modelling Animation and VFX or 2D Animation and Illustration) Advanced Animation.

Differences:

The UPCB qualification is offered over four years with 240 ECT credits, whereas the SA qualification is offered over three years with 360 credits.

Country: United States of America
Institution name: University of North Georgia
Qualification title: Bachelor of Arts with a major in art and a concentration in digital arts
Credits: 75

Purpose/Rationale
The Bachelor of Arts with a major in studio art gives learners the flexibility to explore multiple artistic disciplines, including ceramics, digital arts, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textile design, weaving, three-dimensional design and fabrication. Learners will customize their curriculum to fit their passions.

This is a comprehensive qualification with a minimum of 57 credit hours in studio art and art history courses, which prepare learners for a variety of careers in creative industries. The qualification has an 18-credit-hour elective block that can be used to earn a minor in Art History or any minor program outside the Department of Visual Arts.

Similarities:

The University of North Georgia (UNG) qualification and the South African qualification (SA) qualification share similarities; both have a strong focus on 3D modelling, animation, VFX, 2D animation, and illustration.

The UNG qualification aims at developing the learners' proficiency in industry-standard hardware and software as well as their ability to solve challenges using traditional art skills like drawing, sculpting, Colour theory, and movement.

Similarly, the SA qualification aims at equipping learners with the ability to work through the conceptual phase of digital art pre-production into the production or execution phase, through solid design and digital art theory in new media, as well as strong skill sets in technology and software to produce final outputs that are industry-ready

The UNG and SA qualifications lead to similar career paths.

For both qualifications, learners develop skills that can be applied to over twenty different career paths, such as digital illustration, virtual reality design, 3D modelling, 3D texturing, 3D animation for film and games, 2D animation, visual effects for film and television, compositing, and many others. The qualification also has a strong focus on 3D modelling, animation, VFX, 2D animation, and illustration.

Differences:

The UNG qualification consists of 75 credits, whereas the SA qualification consists of 120 credits.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Marketing and Communication, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design, NQF Level 7.

Bachelor of Arts in Design in Digital Media, NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Graphic Design, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Art and Social Design, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Design, NQF Level 8.

Diagonal Articulation

National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer, NQF Level 4.

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.	Academic Institute of Excellence (Pty) Ltd