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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Visual Arts in Photography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96929  Doctor of Visual Arts in Photography 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Visual Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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 
Persons achieving this qualification are competent in applying research skills to solve a problem within a photographic related field and to contribute to the existing body of knowledge. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
At least 600 Credits, of which at least 120 Credits will be at Level 9 (eg. Master of Technology (M.Tech): Photography), in the related fields of knowledge and skills in photography. Due to the investigative nature of the course of study, the candidate would also be in possession of a valid proposal for their intended research at the Doctor of Technology (D.Tech) level (Level 10).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence that the stated competence of the qualification has been achieved through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The qualification will be awarded to a learner who has provided evidence to the satisfaction of the assessors that the stated competence of the qualification, as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved, either through education and training in a single provider's learning programme, or through experience that complies with the stated specified outcomes. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
1. Do research independently and produce an original contribution to the body of knowledge in a photographic related field.

Specified outcomes:
1. Demonstrate knowledge, skills and values in researching a related field in education at an original level. (C) 110 Credits.

2. Compiling and presenting research findings, own conclusions and proposals in a properly set out academic thesis as well as disseminating research findings and own conclusions in a professionally presented extended exhibition.
Or
compiling and presenting research findings, own conclusions and proposals in a properly set out academic thesis. (C) 110 Credits.

3. Disseminate the research findings. (C) 20 Credits.

Critical Outcomes:
  • Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collecting analysing, organising and critically evaluating information.
  • Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in a mode that is appropriate to research output in the photographic disciplines.
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Exploring the photographic disciplines. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Identify a problem area.
  • Identify sub problems within the problem area.
  • Search the related literature.
  • Formulate the research problem/research question and sub problems.
  • State the hypothesis/es.
  • Define concepts.
  • Select a research strategy and research methodology/ies.
  • Decide on relevant data collection and analysis techniques.
  • Implement the data collection technique.
  • Analyse data and present results.
  • Interpret findings.
  • Draw conclusions and suggest recommendations.
  • Contribute original input to the body of knowledge and skills in a related photographic field.

    2.
  • Describes extent of study clearly.
  • Outlines a methodology appropriate to study.
  • Provides evidence of extensive range of reading, including a review of related literature.
  • States explicitly the links between the review and the area of study, analyses objectively and critically supporting and/or opposing evidence, and draws together the different points emerging from the literary study.
  • Discusses the points in depth and develops a clear line of argument to provide own interpretations which is put in the context of other interpretations.
  • Shows awareness of understanding of assumptions underlying own interpretation.
  • Solutions/conclusions relate to the questions posed in the introduction, and are founded on the evidence resulting from the research.
  • Organizes the dissertation/research output in a logical structure.
  • Adheres to the institution's technical requirements for the dissertation/research output.

    3. Write an article on the research for submission for publication in an accredited journal.
  • Deliver papers and lectures based on the research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
  • A demonstration of mastery of research methodology/procedure.
  • Internal panel evaluation of extended exhibition of studio work.
  • External evaluation of extended exhibition of studio work. (Maximum of 120 Credits).

    Plus
  • Internal evaluation of written thesis submission.
  • External evaluation of written thesis submission.
  • Viva voce. (Minimum of 120 Credits).
    Or
    2. Formative assessment:
  • A demonstration of mastery of research methodology/procedure.
  • Internal evaluation of written thesis submission.
  • External evaluation of written thesis submission.
  • Viva voce. (240 Credits). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Articulates with D.Phil.,Ph. D. Tech. Pho., D.Tech. F.A. and D.F.A. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • External moderation.
  • SERTEC quality assurance. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors will demonstrate the ability to:
  • Develop an assessment.
  • Prepare learners for an assessment.
  • Carry out a pre-developed assessment.
  • Monitor an assessment.
  • Carry out an integrated assessment.
  • Moderate the assessment process.
  • Supply feedback and reporting. 
    		•

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Vaal University of Technology 


    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.