SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
9073	Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
ORIGINATOR
University of Witwatersrand
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(Min 480)	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Visual Arts
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	480	Level 7	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0733/25	2024-06-30	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 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 Fine Arts is to produce a graduate who is professionally and academically qualified for entry into visual cultural practice and contemporary arts. This qualification caters to learners who want to study a specialised degree in Fine Art.

The qualification prepares learners in practical skill-based and conceptual skills in the practice of fine arts in a range of various artistic media (e.g., drawing, sculpture, printmaking, painting, photography, video, installations, and performance studies).

Alongside the practical components, the qualification enables learners to become researchers, writers, and scholars in the fields of fine art / visual arts / visual culture / other related creative fields through engagement with other Bachelor of Arts and histories of art subjects. The qualification promotes critical thinking around visuality and visual culture more broadly.

Rationale:
The Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts provides a comprehensive degree that prepares the Fine Art learners for visual culture theories and theorisations, proficiency in a range of artistic skills-based and new media, development of an independent visual arts practice, instruction in professional practice in the field of fine art/visual art/art theory and the creative fields more generally, as well as sustained research and written work in their various essays and on their individually developed research project.

The qualification provides an opportunity for learners to locate their critical thinking about practice and artistic research within the historical and contemporary fields of fine arts / visual arts / creative work and visual culture more broadly in South Africa, the global south, and internationally.

The qualification is designed for learners who have completed visual arts at high school but is also open to learners (of any age) who have had no former/formal education in visual arts but show an aptitude for visual arts production (demonstrated through the submission of a portfolio for assessment).

The qualification will enhance the career of the graduate by enabling them to use higher-order and lateral thinking, and specialist knowledge in a particular discipline, profession, or field of enquiry within contemporary arts. As the degree is a four-year Honours equivalent, BA in Fine Arts learners can proceed to a master's degree thereafter if they wish to pursue postgraduate studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning:
The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which is equivalent to 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 may be applied for access, credits from modules, and credits or towards the qualification.

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, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption from 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:

National Senior Certificate, 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.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7, and 8, totalling 554 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 108 Credits:

Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA, 18 credits

Film, Visual and Performing Arts IB, 18 credits

Fine Arts IA, 18 credits

Fine Arts IB, 18 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IA, 18 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IB, 18 credits

Elective Modules, NQF 5, 36 Credits (Select one optionn)
Option 1:

isiZulu or Sesotho or South African Sign Language (SASL), 36 Credits
Or
Option 2:

IsiZulu or Sesotho, 12 Credits
And
Two modules in any of the following:

French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 144 Credits:

Fine Arts IIA, 24 credits

Fine Arts IIB, 24 credits

History of Art IIA, 24 credits

History of Art IIB, 24 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIA, 24 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIA, 24 credits

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 144 Credits:

Fine Arts IIIA, 18 credits

Fine Arts IIIB, 18 credits

History of Art IIIA, 18 credits

History of Art IIIB, 18 credits

History of Art IIIC, 18 credits

History of Art IIID, 18 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIIA, 18 credits

Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIIB, 18 credits

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 122 Credits:

Research Project, 30 credits

Critical Theories and Visual Cultures, 23 credits

Fine Arts IVA, 23 credits

Professional Practice in Fine Arts, 23 credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate an integrated understanding of contemporary and historical fine art theories, concepts, and critical debates within local and global contexts.
2. Communicate effectively and professionally through visual, written, oral, and digital media appropriate to fine arts practice and scholarship.
3. Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and experimental approaches to generate innovative creative solutions and artistic expressions to problem solving.
4. Apply appropriate research methodologies to inform and advance creative practice within the field of fine arts.
5. Work independently and collaboratively in professional art-making environments, demonstrating leadership, accountability, and effective time and project management.
6. Critically evaluate the social implications of creative practice within contemporary art contexts.
7. Apply ethical and professional conduct in artistic, academic, and community contexts, contributing meaningfully to the fine arts industries.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:

Develop appropriate database search strategies and selection criteria to collect information on fine arts theories and concepts.

Read and carry out critical evaluation of texts and data, images and artistic practices.

Represent own position in relation to debates and practices within local and global fine arts contexts.

Collect, select, organise, and interpret different kinds of data and current forms of professional practice.

Identify a range of historical and ideological positions within texts and other data

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:

Use written, spoken, and visual language with skill and flexibility that reframes and builds on active listening and articulation.

Use appropriate written, oral, academic, and visual conventions for a small-scale research project

Begin to communicate own lines of inquiry within fine arts

Synthesise written and visual information to articulate a clearly sustained argument.

Apply appropriate word processing technologies and those appropriate for visual production.

Use effective oral, written, and visual argumentation skills in relation to visual production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Suggest and apply critical and innovative approaches in the scholarly and professional field to solve problems in the field of fine arts.

Integrate theory and practice, solving problems

Recognise limitations of different theoretical models and professional practices within the field of fine arts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Provide a rationale for a small-scale research project

Apply an appropriate research method

Conduct a small-scale research project

Produce a body of creative work

Assess the findings of research

Write up the research using the appropriate disciplinary conventions

Draw conclusions arising from research and act upon this data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Use multiple sources of knowledge and reflexivity to demonstrate understanding of personal artistic development.

Develop an increasingly sophisticated ability to assess oneself in oral, written, and visual modes.

Work collaboratively and independently to guide creative projects to completion.

Evaluate and integrate feedback into own and group development for creative development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Demonstrate the use of materials within an social ecosystemic context.

Analyse visual concepts to demonstrate understanding of how artworks engage with audiences and communities.

Demonstrate social awareness, inclusivity, and responsible creative agency through creative and written work.

Act critically and constructively as individuals or in groups within ecosystemic contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7:

Identify own lines of enquiry within fine arts and track the necessary information and skills.

Demonstrate ability to critically engage in using and adapting academic and creative conventions of fine arts.

Engage critically at a high level with concepts, texts, and images.

Display professional behaviour through accountability, integrity, and respect for diversity.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT:
Integrated assessment is achieved through formative and summative evaluations. A battery of assessment instruments, including written assignments, research projects, examinations, continuous critique of work during studio practice, portfolios, and exhibitions, will be used to assess the learner's learning

The institution's Senate Standing Orders on Assessment for Learner Learning (2022) states that to promote, monitor, and measure learner learning throughout a module, no single assessment may count for more than 40% of the final mark unless there are special circumstances, in which case the permission of the Dean is required.

Assessments include Continuous practical projects (57%); written assessments (8%), continuous research project (4%), and examinations (31%).

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

The Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA FA), its core modules, rationale, and purpose have been compared with similar qualifications internationally.

Country: Ethiopia
Institution: Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, Addis Ababa
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts

Similarities:
In general, the qualification compares well with minimal variations in terms of modules offered that are discipline specific. The objectives, general outcomes, and essential knowledge and skills taught are similar. The main objective of Interdisciplinary visual arts is to foster appreciation of and knowledge of the arts and the theoretical ideas on which artistic activity is based. Core values in Interdisciplinary visual arts education include learning about creativity, which gives birth to social responsibility and appreciation, and celebrating difference, which promotes respect for self and others.

Differences:
The bachelor's degrees are discipline-specific - e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Painting, Bachelor of Arts in Print Making, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts. The bachelor's degree qualifies learners to enrol in a Master of Arts in Fine Arts or a Master of Arts Degree in Film Production.

Country: UK
Institution: Bachelor of Fine Arts offered by Goldsmiths, University of London.
Qualification: BA (Hons) Fine Art

Similarities:
In general, the qualification compares well with an emphasis on studio practice in contemporary art disciplines, historical and theoretical studies, and teaching methodologies (intensive studio and research art practice, tutorials and mixed-year studio practice presentations; lectures and seminars; independent research). The credit system allows learners to change to other BA degrees within a limited period (horizontal articulation); Vertical Articulation: Graduate Diploma in Art or international MFA qualifications (MFA Fine Arts, MA FA Art and Ecology).

Difference:
The BA (Hons) is a 3-year degree.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fine Art, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Fine and Applied Arts, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Arts in Fine Art, NQF Level 9.

Master of Visual Arts in Fine Art, NQF Level 9.

Master of Arts, NQF Level 9.

Diagonal Articulation:
There are no diagonal articulation options for this qualification.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

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.	University of Witwatersrand