Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Purpose

The aim of the qualification is to

(i) Provide learners with the academic knowledge, skills and competencies sufficient to practise in the built environment, after a stipulated period of supervised practical experience as senior architectural technologists:

(ii) Equip learners with a foundation for further intellectual development

(iii) Provide the built environment with graduates with intellectual capacity, knowledge and skills in architectural design and technology and able to move into related fields of professional activity:

(iv) Prepare learners for progression to the qualification leading to registration as an architect

(v) Produce learners who are able to think laterally, critically and creatively: and

(vi) Produce learners who are prepared for lifelong learning.

Rationale

Architecture is an independent profession within the built environment. The generation of a generic bachelor qualification in Architecture (non-professional) will provide an opportunity to promote the establishment of curricula with an innovative approach to architectural education in order to achieve the aims of not only inculcating knowledge in a learner, but also imparting skill and values essential for prospective architects. The qualification has been developed with a view to enable learners undertaking the qualification of study to progress not only towards the professional Degree in Architecture, but also towards other qualifications associated with the built environment.

The qualification provides the minimum competencies of what is defined by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) as Part One of an architectural education and which provides eligibility to register with SACAP as a Candidate Professional Architectural Technologist. The qualification is the first step in the learning pathway to registering as a Professional Architect which is defined in Government Gazette No.41728 Vol.636 22 June 2018 as an occupation in high demand.

Following consultation in 2017 this qualification has the approval and support of the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) as well as SACAP whose "Validation Panel" validates the level of minimum competencies of the work of the learners of the first graduating class as well as subsequently at least every five years. The qualification will provide opportunities for contributions to society in general and the built environment in particular, for continued personal intellectual growth and for gainful economic activity primarily, but not exclusively, in the Built Environment sector.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Formal Prior Learning

Learners registering at this level are expected to have a talent for design and creativity. They need to have some drawing skills and should be able to communicate comprehensively in the medium of instruction. They should be able to take responsibility for their own learning and progression within structured learning programmes. They should have some ability to evaluate their own performance against given criteria.

Prior learning of a learner is recognised if evidence is produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria for admission to the qualification, and, if appropriate, allows the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full as determined and explained in the RPL policy documents of providers.

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning

An applicant whose level of knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes has not been assessed earlier in terms of the formal qualification in question but can demonstrate in appropriate ways, through assessment by the institution to which application is made that he/she has acquired those skills and competencies, may be considered for admission to a programme of study leading to this qualification.

An applicant who, after such assessment is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, will be directed to other suitable learning programmes prior to admission or to parallel programmes after admission.

Learners who do not meet the minimum formal requirements for entry into the qualification may apply to the provider to demonstrate experiential or work-based learning which can be considered as achieving the level of the minimum entry requirements, for example, someone who has worked for ten years or more in the building industry in a supervisory capacity would very likely be eligible for admission. This may also apply to learners who wish to gain credit exemption for specific modules but can demonstrate they have sufficient competency in that module. As an outcome of the assessment of Prior Learning the university may require some additional work or further academic development which may include some foundational courses prior to admission or after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Studio 1 (Foundation), 80 Credits.
• Theory 1, 12 Credits.
• Building Studies 1, 28 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits

• Building Studies 2, 28 Credits.
• Thinking Practice Studio 2, 40 Credits.
• Studio 2, 40 Credits.
• Theory 2, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Studio 3, 40 Credits.
• Theory 3, 12 Credits.
• Building Studies 3, 28 Credits.
• Thinking Practice Studio 3, 40 Credits.

Demonstrate skill and competence to operate at the level of Senior Architectural Technologists

1. Communicate effectively with clients through drawing and writing.
2. Be aware of the impact of architectural activity on society and the environment.
3. Be aware of the role of architectural history.
4. Show competency to work efficiently as an individual in teams and multi-disciplinary situations.
5. Use and apply information technology.
6. Interpret and apply legal principles within the context of the built environment.
7. Apply knowledge of design, construction, materials, structure and procedure from the first principles to complex architectural solutions.
8. Collect relevant information necessary for a thorough analysis of an architectural proposition.
9. Synthesise collected information and produce creative procedural and non-procedural design solutions for an architectural project.
10. Demonstrate familiarity with and display knowledge and understanding of the content and theory related to architectural practice and procedure at both elementary and intermediate levels.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in the integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and terminology applicable to architectural design.
• Understand the fundamentals of the design process.
• Ability to do thorough and appropriate planning.
• Understand the problem analysis on a basic level.
• Demonstrate knowledge of social and environmental issues and awareness of environmental relationships.
• Develop durable, cost-effective, climate responsive construction details.
• Produce a set of working drawings as part of a set of contract documents of a complex building to acceptable practice standards.
• Demonstrate knowledge of construction methods and uses for materials related to simple low-rise building types.
• Conduct limited relevant research into construction methods and materials and the appropriate applications.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the structural concepts pertaining to buildings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the various technological aspects and building regulations relating to services.
• Understand the component and material specification.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the relevance of appropriate National Building Regulations (NBR) as well as the requirements of the NHBRC.
• Demonstrate knowledge of local authority approval requirements and Computer Applications, Knowledge of computer technology presently in use in architectural practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the terminology and concepts and principles of architectural practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the contents of the various building contracts and the SAIA practice manual.
• Demonstrate awareness of terminology pertaining to architectural theory and history studies.
• Demonstrate awareness of the relationship between context, urbanity and society.

Integrated Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated throughout the qualification. There is continuous formative assessment to ensure that learners receive feedback on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment concerned with the evaluation of learning achievements relative to exit levels of the qualification includes overall integrated assessment, which evaluates the learners' ability to combine the various components and modules of the broader scope of knowledge skills and competencies represented by the Exit Level Outcomes leading to the qualification. In the assessment of whether the described outcome has been achieved (or not) recognition is given to criteria and evaluation methods that adequately and appropriately achieve such assessment.