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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Architecture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91110  Bachelor of Architecture 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
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-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The qualification is a first Degree that addresses all the knowledge fields in Architecture. It emphasises the relationship between design and technology and focuses on design concepts and design development, using an interdisciplinary design approach, supported by relevant project-specific theory. It prepares students for further study or registration and employment as Candidate Architectural Technologists.

Rationale:
Architecture has been identified as one of the strategic growth areas for the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture. The Department of Architecture and the University of Johannesburg have the support of the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP), the Gauteng Institute of Architecture and the Heads of Schools Committee of SACAP for introducing such a qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Students must be able to:
  • Communicate in the language of tuition at NQF Level 4.
  • Carry out mathematical calculations at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    The Faculty regards Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value, and the Faculty accepts the challenge to assess prior learning and award credits that are aligned to Faculty programmes to promote lifelong learning.

    The purpose of the institution's RPL Policy which directs the Faculty's RPL procedure, is to recognise prior learning, in order to provide for access into qualifications, grant advanced placement in qualifications and grant credits for modules already covered by the student, based on institutional principles and processes that serve as a basis for faculty-specific RPL practices.

    Access to the Qualification:
    The following minimum admission requirements must be met:
  • A National Senior Certificate giving access to Degree studies.
    Or
  • A Senior Certificate giving access to Degree studies.
    Or
  • An equivalent qualification at an equivalent standard, as verified by the South African Qualifications Authority.
    Or
  • A National Certificate (Vocational) NQF Level 4, giving access to Degree studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This Bachelor of Architecture at NQF Level 7 comprises 22 compulsory modules across NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7. All 22 modules must be successfully completed in order to be awarded the qualification.

    Modules at NQF Level 5:
  • Architectural Design 1A, 24 Credits.
  • Architectural Technology and Detailing 1, 28 Credits.
  • History and Theory of Architecture 1, 8 Credits.
  • Design Studies (Architecture) 1, 8 Credits.
  • Interdisciplinary Design and Presentation 1, 12 Credits.
  • Communication in Architecture 1, 8 Credits.
  • Sustainable Design 1, 8 Credits.
    Total Credits at NQF Level 5: 96.

    Modules at NQF Level 6:
  • Architectural Design 1B, 24 Credits.
  • Architectural Design 2, 48 Credits.
  • Architectural Technology and Detailing 2, 28 Credits.
  • History and Theory of Architecture 2, 8 Credits.
  • Design Studies (Architecture) 2, 8 Credits.
  • Interdisciplinary Design 2, 12 Credits.
  • Computers in Architecture 2, 8 Credits.
  • Sustainable Design 2, 8 Credits.
    Total Credits at NQF Level 6: 144.

    Modules at NQF Level 7:
  • Architectural Design 3, 48 Credits.
  • Architectural Technology and Detailing 3, 28 Credits.
  • History and Theory of Architecture 3, 8 Credits.
  • Design Studies (Architecture) 3, 8 Credits.
  • Interdisciplinary Design 3, 12 Credits.
  • Computers in Architecture 3, 8 Credits.
  • Architectural Practice 3, 8 Credits.
    Total Credits at NQF Level 7: 120.

    Total credits for the qualification: 360. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and respond to contextual and environmental design imperatives and use historical and theoretical positions and precedents in conceptualising less complicated building designs, as defined by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP).
    2. Respond to programmatic requirements and apply architectural design processes and principles creatively in the design of less complicated buildings, as defined by SACAP.
    3. Solve design problems and develop design proposals for less complicated buildings into detailed contract documentation and assembly details that comply with accepted professional standards and statutory regulations.
    4. Select and incorporate appropriate structural systems, construction methods, materials, building services and systems into the design of less complicated buildings in consultation with various other professions (where appropriate).
    5. Apply architectural office management practices and procedures, using standard professional documents, guidelines, legal and ethical prescriptions.
    6. Use professional standard computer programmes and solve problems pertaining to the production of standard documentation.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed throughout this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria may be applied in a generic manner to some or all of the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • The key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the main areas of one or more fields, disciplines or practices, are applied and evaluated.
  • Detailed knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to other fields, disciplines or practices is demonstrated through explanations, descriptions and/or any other documentation.
  • Own ideas and opinions are developed and communicated in well-formed arguments, using appropriate academic, professional or occupational discourse.
  • A range of methods of enquiry in a field, discipline or practice are applied to successfully solve problems or introduce change within a practice.
  • Complex problems are identified, analysed, critically reflected on and addressed by applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
  • Decisions are made and applied ethically and professionally and these decisions and actions are justified by drawing from appropriate ethical values and approaches, within a supportive environment.
  • Appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use are developed and applied.
  • Information sources are independently validated and evaluated and the relevant information is managed.
  • Processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts are managed and recognition that problem-solving is context and system-bound and does not occur in isolation is demonstrated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment is applied through:
  • Interim seminar presentations and critiques.
  • Class tests.
  • Presentations.
  • Written and oral regular feedback and critique on work in progress.

    Summative assessment is applied through:
  • Final seminar presentations.
  • Critiques.
  • Assessment of final portfolio/s. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The South African Council for the Architectural Professions (SACAP) is invited by the Department of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg to conduct an accreditation of all qualifications that are offered by that department. The invitations are issued according to a four-year cycle.

    The purpose of the accreditation is to establish comparability of qualifications nationally and internationally. The SACAP accreditation is affiliated with both the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) and the Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA). Thus the SACAP accreditation process ensures international comparability of this qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any similar Bachelor's Degree, at NQF Level 7, within the Organising Field of Physical Planning and Construction or within other Organising Fields dealing with relevant similar creative skills.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with a Bachelor of Architecture Honours Degree or other similar/relevant Degrees or Postgraduate Diplomas at NQF Level 8. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation processes and procedures ensure that all students are assessed in a consistent, accurate and well designed manner. It verifies that assessments are fair, reliable, valid, practicable and transparent and also evaluates assessor performance.
    The following principles apply for the moderation of student evidence:
  • At least two assessment opportunities (including special assessments or supplementaries thereof) are moderated during every Semester throughout the duration of the Qualification.
  • Moderated assessment opportunities are weighted in the calculation of the final module mark and are determined by the assessor.
  • All first and second-year modules are moderated internally, and all third-year modules are moderated externally. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors and moderators:
  • Must hold a qualification at least one level above the qualification being assessed or moderated.
  • Moderators are also required to have more than two years' teaching experience and/or relevant experience in the field.
  • Assessors with less than two years' experience have their assessment work moderated by experienced peers. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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 Johannesburg 


    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.