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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94826  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Visual Arts 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of this Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media is to prepare learners:
  • For research so they will be able to critically view films in terms of both local and global, past and present cross-medial image traditions in the arts.
  • To understand and interpret film and visual media as aesthetic and cultural texts.
  • To grasp the histories and theories surrounding film production.
  • To reflectively integrate these forms of knowledge in their own film production.

    Thus, this qualification effectively integrates all the major strands of film Studies: history, analysis, hermeneutics, theory and production.

    Rationale:
    The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media [BAHons (Film and Visual Media)], has been developed to offer an inter-disciplinary Postgraduate course in Film and Visual Media studies.

    In a globalised world in which visual media is of paramount importance in every sphere of life, the qualification develops the local professional landscape in both a direct and indirect sense: firstly, by producing well-integrated learners who could work in the public broadcasting or film industries, and secondly, by producing learners who are able to reflect critically upon these industries and their products. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Where applicants do not meet the prescribed minimum admission requirements and who have shown by examination or publication or a record of appropriate training that they have reached a level in the module or a cognate module equivalent to a Bachelors' Degree may be permitted to register for the degree, subject to compliance of the institution's RPL policy and to the approval of the Programme Management Committee.

    Entry Requirements:
    Admission to the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media will apply:
  • Possession of a relevant Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent NQF Exit Level 7 qualification that is directly related to the major field of study.
  • Learners must have completed the preliminary qualification with a mark of 65% or more. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 3 compulsory modules at NQF Level 8, totalling 120 Credits:
  • History of Film, 30 Credits.
  • Approaches to the moving image, 30 Credits.
  • Research report aligned with studio research, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understanding of key theories and research methodologies of visual examples and texts in Film and Visual Media Studies, including History and Analysis.
    2. Interpret films, and recognise the biases of specific interpretation theories.
    3. Demonstrate an understanding of film as part of local and global, past and present cross-media image traditions and contexts in the arts and in visual culture. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The abovementioned concepts are critically applied to analyse films as aesthetic texts, narrative texts and/or cultural texts.
  • Key theories of Film and Visual Media in form of seminars are critically discussed.
  • Appropriate research methodologies are applied and suitability of choices are reflected upon.
  • Written and oral interpretations of films are produced in which shortcomings of other interpretation theories are also considered.
  • The different eras in the History of Film are understood while aligning this knowledge with an understanding of the events and practitioners of the relevant historical periods.
  • Multiple sources of knowledge in the area of Film History are interrogated and this knowledge and the processes of knowledge production is evaluated.
  • Ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems throughout the different eras in Film History are identified and addressed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A short film/ documentary/ music video is independently researched and produced.
  • The abovementioned production of a film is critically contextualised, that is, selections made regarding the chosen cinematographic techniques and imagery, and how these fit into the field and history of film in terms of the broader cultural history, theory and interpretation of images.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in Film History is critically reviewed to develop creative responses to problems and issues facing the current state of the film industry in South Africa and abroad.
  • Knowledge of key practices and notions of Film Production is critically reflected upon in order to solve specific problems.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification will assess applied competence through clearly stipulated assessment procedures and criteria according to institution's assessment policy. Various kinds of evidence of learning are therefore collected to monitor student progress. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual learners and/or groups of learners in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

    In the modules Film History and Approaches to the Moving continuous assessment seminars and essays and an examination will be used as assessment instruments. The third module combines studio practice and a research project. In this module, learners will be assessed on a continuous basis in terms of their acquired skills to plan, film and finalise five short films in a group. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Australian National University offers the Honours in Visual Arts. The Honours qualification involves learners in a two semester supervised Studio Research project (80%) which culminates in the presentation of a body of artwork. An accompanying Studio Report (20%) documents the development of the research and describes its theoretical framework. A critical approach to studio research is encouraged through Honours sessions, Workshop seminars, critiques and individual consultation. Studio and contextual research methods appropriate to individual projects provide an early focus for discussion and are developed over the length of the qualification.

    Learning Outcomes:
    Upon successful completion of this qualification, learners will be able to:
  • Create an imaginative and focused body of artworks by integrating studio and contextual investigation/research.
  • Select and combine materials and processes skillfully to give visual form to your ideas.
  • Critically reflect on your research project and explain your decision-making processes.
  • Identify and analyse relevant historical and contemporary practices and relate them to your own concerns.

    The Bachelor of Arts Film Studies offered by Southampton University Looks back to film's nineteenth-century origins and forward to today's innovations in digital technology, you will explore the role of cinema across different social, historical and cultural contexts. A diverse range of filmmakers and influential movements, from Alfred Hitchcock to Pedro Almodvar, and from German expressionism to contemporary US cinema will be studied. Film studies employs a multitude of interpretive tools, from sociological approaches to close textual analysis.

    Qualification Structure:
  • Learners can select from a wide range of innovative modules. Alongside knowledge of the critical theoretical debates in film studies, learners can develop practical skills, such as film-making.
  • The qualification offers grounding in how to read film, covering key debates in film theory and cinema history. The qualification also offers specialist practical modules in documentary film making or scriptwriting.

    Conclusion:
    Although the titles of the qualifications may differ from the South African qualification and the Australian qualification however the comparability can be found in the learning outcomes and the assessments.

    Also the qualifications titles differ with that being offered by the United Kingdom, however, similarities can be found in the qualification structure of both. Thus the South African qualification can be regarded as being comparable to qualifications being offered internationally. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Film and Visual Media enables both horizontal and vertical articulation with relevent cognate qualifications. In meeting the requirements learners may progress vertically to the Masters or NQF Exit Level 9 qualifications in relevant cognate study areas, such as Master of Arts in Film Theory and Practice or Master of Arts in Visual Studies. In addition, successful learners may articulate horizontally to other relevant cognate Honours Degrees on NQF Level 8 such as Bachelor of Arts Honours in Visual Communication Design. 

    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 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 the Free State 


    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.