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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Advanced University Diploma: Visual Arts 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
20172  Advanced University Diploma: Visual Arts 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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 Diploma  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Cultural Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  Level N/A: Pre-2009 was L7  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2018-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2019-12-31   2022-12-31  

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 
Primary purpose:

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with one-year advanced training in professional art practice or art related fields.

Secondary purpose:

This qualification is designed as a bridging course in order to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills in art practice to enter the Master of Visual Arts (MVA) programme, especially in cases where prior learning in Visual Arts is insufficient.

The qualification is aimed at learners who want to further their skills in the area of professional art practice without accompanying studies in Art History. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this qualification can:

1. learn from predominantly visual and written material and a variety of physical, technological, cultural, environmental, experiential and imaginative sources;
2. use their previously acquired learning in verbal, written and visual forms of learning and communication;
3. with guided support, take responsibility for their own academic, technical and professional progress


Recognition of prior learning:
  • Informal prior learning

    Students may be given RPL if they can produce a portfolio of evidence or undergo any other recognised means of assessment that shows that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified.

    Training with an approved professional artist and/or experience in the field of Visual Arts, such as a candidate who practised as a professional artist for a period of time, will be considered.
  • Formal prior learning

    Accredited learning at tertiary level in relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing units, is recognised. Candidates must hold an appropriate qualification that the Senate of the University deems at least equivalent to a University diploma. This could be a three or four year Bachelor of Visual or Fine Arts; a three year Technikon Diploma in Visual or Fine Arts; a four year Technikon Bachelor in Visual or Fine arts; training at an approved art college. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    1. Education development provision for students from diverse and disadvantaged background.
    2. An enrichment programme is followed that aims at supporting learners from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. This provides learners with knowledge and skills to bridge possible gaps in prior learning.
    3. Verbal presentation of projects is a feature.
    4. The programme emphasises the acquisition of visual literacy.
    5. Clear, simple language is used in tutorials. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Critical Cross-field:

    1. The learners can identify, analyse, formulate, and solve convergent and divergent problems of professional, individual, cultural and societal kinds, critically, creatively, and responsibly.

    2. The learners can work effectively with others as a leader of a team, group, organization, community, and provide leadership to the group output in tasks growing out of the field of the visual arts or a multidisciplinary or arts-related field.

    3. The learners can manage and organize their studies and careers responsibly and effectively.

    4. The learners can collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information.

    5. The learners can communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of verbal and visual presentation.

    6. The learners can use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health and well being of others in community, national and global contexts.

    7. The learners can demonstrate an understand of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation, and by acknowledging their responsibilities to those in the local and broader community.


    Developmental:

    In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learners and the social and economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of the following developmental outcomes:


    1. The learners can reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.

    2. The learners can act as responsible in the life of local, national and global communities.

    3. The learners can be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.

    4. The learners can explore education and career opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.

    5. The learners can develop entrepreneurial opportunities by drawing on the various knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the accomplishment of this qualification.


    Specific:

    1. Learners can demonstrate that they are professionally skilled in exhibition and studio practice.

    2. Learners can contextualise their own art making within contemporary perspective.

    3. Learners can critically assess and interpret artworks and the art making process.

    4. Learners can communicate effectively as professional artists

    5. Learners can demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship and the art market. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Critical Cross-field:

    Evidence will show that learners:

    1.
  • Identify, analyse and solve problems inherent to the field of the visual arts or a multidisciplinary or arts related field by drawing on their own experience as well as on theoretical and practical knowledge.
  • Use their knowledge and expertise to resolve practical problems within the field of art practice.

    2.
  • Demonstrate respect for the opinion of others without bias through written and/or oral reporting as well as through art practice.
  • Direct theoretical and practical visual arts projects and successfully interact with others.
  • Organize other into effective working groups, for instance by initiating art tuition, discourse and studio practice.
  • Communicate the evidence of these group interactions through written and/or oral reporting as well as through art practice.

    3.
  • Demonstrate the requisite theoretical and practical skills and learning strategies at an advanced level.
  • Organize their study plans and engage in effective time management.
  • Assess their own strengths and weaknesses and involve strategies best suited in to their own and others' situations and contexts.
  • Think independently and offer evidence to support their decisions.

    4.
  • Use the full range of library and other resources, including visual resources.
  • Integrate complex and specialised information from a variety of sources, especially visual.
  • Analyse and generate evaluation and synthesis of information, practical skills and concepts at an abstract level.
  • Act responsibly as a professional artist, researcher and scholar (e.g., appropriate and accurate referencing, avoiding plagiarism, etc.).
  • Use the conventions of scholarship in the field of the visual arts or a multidisciplinary or arts-related field.

    5.
  • Communicate their ideas lucidly and coherently.
  • Use language competently in written (and/or oral) conventions relevant to the discipline.
  • Impart knowledge and skills in an effective and sustained visual mode of presentation.

    6.
  • Use scientific methods of investigation, testing and evaluation.
  • Select technology to suit the needs of the individual or group.
  • Use and promote the use of natural resources in a sustainable way.
  • Show respect for and a responsible attitude towards science and technology issues.
  • Show respect and openness towards the psychological, health and physical environment of others.
  • Use science and technology to enhance or extend the parameters of visual arts presentations

    7.
  • Demonstrate their prior knowledge and experience, as it is relevant within the field of the visual arts or a multidisciplinary or arts related field.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the discipline.


    Developmental:

    1.
  • Apply what they study in different contexts, both personal and public, real and simulated.
  • Show evidence of advanced study and research skills, selection, analysis and evaluation.

    2.
  • Manage diversity and use appropriate conflict-resolution skills.
  • Provide the leadership in the community in the field of visual arts.
  • Apply what they know and study in culturally diverse contexts.
  • Apply what they know and study at different levels; form personal to professional to academic contexts.

    3.
  • Value and explore aesthetic and cultural diversity within the contexts of the visual arts.
  • Use various skills to draw out the cultural accomplishments and contents of others (e.g., listening skills, empathy, sympathy open mindedness, visual representation, etc.).

    4.
  • Use the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired in the service of the community at large (local and global).
  • Practically apply knowledge in the real world.
  • Identify practical art skills, which are highly valued in the workplace within the relevant discipline.
  • Use the skills required for efficiency in most jobs: imaginative intelligence, creativity, emotional maturity, effective communicative skills, thoughtful accuracy and interpersonal sensitivity.
  • Deal effectively with complex problems and tasks set them on the job, in the real world, by drawing upon the skills learnt in the course of their studies.
  • Demonstrate a work ethic that shows responsibility and accountability towards the employer and the client or community.

    5.
  • Create job opportunities in whatever situation they find themselves.
  • Have a realistic view on their own worth and value to contribute to their local community and global society.
  • Communicate that value to others in the real world through, for instance, organising exhibitions and private tuition.
  • Demonstrate a healthy self-esteem and confidence in their knowledge, skills and attitudes as required to complete the qualification.
  • Deal with various defined situations with flexibility and adaptability.


    Specific:

    Evidence in a range of practical and theoretical assignments, tasks and examinations show that learners:

    1.
  • Produce art works, which show coherently in form and content and are relevant and functional within contemporary art making perspective.
  • Use technical skills in art practice in a professional way.
  • Apply conceptual skills in art practice in a professional way.
  • Apply problem-solving skills and creative thinking in a professional way.
  • Work independent of others with self-confidence and responsibility.
  • Are self-responsible and skilled in time-management.

    2.
  • Create their own relevant forms of expression of original thoughts/ideas
  • Produce creative work in a variety of media as well as of an interdisciplinary and technological nature.
  • Use relevant methodologies inherent to generating ideas, concepts and art making processes.

    3.
  • Analyse and interpret the conceptual underpinning of artworks.
  • Analyse and interpret the use of materials in artworks.
  • Analyse and interpret the methodologies and strategies inherent to making art.

    4.
  • Present research proposals, ideas, concepts and artworks in professional visual form.
  • Use verbal language effectively to convey ideas and insights intelligibly and achieve own purposes.

    5.
  • Relate the knowledge gained in the academic environment to an entrepreneurial field.
  • Create job opportunities through the application of creative and generative thinking.
  • Create self-employment as a professional artist.
  • Create self-employment in a variety of art related fields.


    Integrated assessment:

    1. Formative assessment

    There is continuous assessment involving the following:
  • Completion of practical and theoretical assignments and projects at home.
  • Practical and theoretical assignments contain self-evaluation exercises and tasks.
  • Students report orally on practical and theoretical assignments during workshops.
  • Students not attending workshops report back in written form on practical assignment.
  • Feedback on practical assignments through peer evaluation during workshops.
  • Feedback on practical and theoretical assignments through team based assessment by a panel of internal and external lecturers.

    2. Summative assessment
  • Practical and theoretical examinations to be team-based assessed by a panel of internal and external lecturers.
  • Submission of a portfolio of practical year work to be team-based assessed by a panel of internal and external lecturers.
  • Testing of the formative stage of learning on how to compile, arrange and present an exhibition of cultural objects to be team-based assessed by a panel of internal and external lecturers. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    UNISA forms part of an internationally recognised accreditation system whereby university qualifications are evaluated against international comparators and accredited accordingly. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    1. Registration requirements as set out in the UNISA Calendar must be strictly adhered to.

    2. The qualification gives students entry to the Masters in Visual Arts (MVA) provided that students have acquired sufficient credits in Art History. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. On an informal level internal quality assurance procedures are in place to ensure feedback to academic staff on the quality of the qualification, such as comparison with other institutions, national art competitions and student exhibitions to discerning art public.

    2. On a formal level system of internal first and second examiners, course coordinators and project leader is used. In all cases the Head of Department does quality checks.

    3. On a formal level a system of external examiners is used at the exit levels. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Our own staff will be used as assessors in a manner which fits the into the quality management system of UNISA. This will also apply to the appointment of outside persons.

    It is preferable that assessors will be in possession of at least a four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts or a Bachelor in Visual Arts. It is compulsory that assessors will have extensive experience in the field of visual art production in South Africa. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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. University of South Africa 


    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.