Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design
Purpose:
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Honours Degree
Credits
120
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of Johannesburg
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 02 - Culture and Arts
Subfield
Design Studies
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design (BA Hons Design) prepares students for research based Postgraduate study and entry into a design career by enabling students to produce creative solutions to complex problems within a specialist area of design and to conduct and report research under supervision.
Rationale
Graduates from the Bachelor of Arts (Design) (Communication Design) may, through this Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design, continue their studies at Honours Degree level. Approximately 50% of students with the Bachelor of Arts in Design might opt to complete the Honours.
A number of institutions in Gauteng offer three-year Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Multimedia Design and related areas. Only two of these institutions offer the possibility for students to continue with Honours study, at great financial cost. This creates a pool of candidates who are potentially eligible to continue their studies in the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design.
Entry requirements and RPL
Students who register for this qualification are assumed to be competent in the necessary communication and design skills at NQF Level 7.
It is also assumed that these students are able to manage their time effectively and take responsibility for their studies.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for RPL provided a proper assessment of the prior learning has been conducted. Such candidates may be required to broaden their knowledge base by enrolling for identified preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission. Candidates may also apply for exemption from certain modules on the grounds of credits obtained from relevant qualifications of study concerned. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant institution policies and approval by relevant faculty structures.
Access to the Qualification
- An appropriate Bachelor's Degree or its equivalent.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
All modules are at NQF Level 8 and are compulsory. A minimum total of 120 Credits must be achieved in order to be awarded this qualification.
Modules
- Design Project, 30 Credits.
- Research Methodology, 10 Credits.
- Design Theory, 10 Credits.
- Research Essay, 30 Credits.
- Communication Design/Fashion Design/Multimedia Design or Jewellery Practice: 40 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Produce creative solutions to complex problems within a specialist area of design.
- Conduct and report research under supervision.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
1.1 Complex problems are identified, analysed and addressed by drawing on knowledge and methods of a specialist of design.
1.2 Multiple creative solutions to complex problems are generated by using design thinking skills.
1.3 Appropriate design solutions are prototyped using relevant design tools and technology.
1.4 Design solutions are tested and the outcomes assessed.
1.5 Design solutions demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues and the users' contexts and affect positive change.
1.6 Design solutions demonstrate knowledge of design theory.
1.7 Creative solutions are produced both independently and as members of interdisciplinary teams.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
2.1 A research proposal for a research essay is prepared to an acceptable standard.
2.2 Research is informed by design theory.
2.3 Research is conducted competently using methodologies appropriate to design research.
2.4 Research findings are presented and reported according to prescribed academic conventions.
2.5 Research findings offer creative insight and rigorous interpretation of problems and issues pertaining to a specialist area of design.
Integrated Assessment
All the proposed modules for the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design will be assessed continuously. Continuous assessment includes formative and summative assessment.
Formative assessment includes interim presentations with feedback and/or critique on work in progress.
Summative assessment includes Design Project assignments as well as the assessment of the research proposal and the completed research essay.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
Horizontal Articulation
This qualification articulates horizontally with Bachelor of Arts Honours in Multimedia Design at NQF Level 8.
Vertical Articulation
This qualification articulates vertically with Master of Arts in Information Design at NQF Level 9.
International comparability
This qualification is comparable with qualifications registered on the New Zealand and Australian Qualifications Frameworks.
Countries that operate on the basis of an NQF include the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. A direct comparison of the title, Exit Level Outcomes and Assessment Criteria was undertaken with qualifications and outcomes for graphic design Degrees.
The comparison showed a substantial Degree of similarity to the qualification offered at the Massey University in Australia. Students at this institution need to complete a combination of practical and theoretical modules and undertake a design research project.
The qualification compares favourably with the Bachelor of Visual Communication (Honours) Degree offered at Australia's University of Newcastle. This qualification enables students to advance their conceptual and technical skills as well as to prepare them for further higher Degree study. The qualification is presented as a combination of practical and theoretical modules.
The Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours) offered by the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand provides students to with research methodologies to conduct theoretical research to underpin visual inquiries into design issues. This approach of integrating the research module with practical application is similar to the proposed Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design.
The proposed Bachelor of Arts Honours in Design compares favourably with international qualifications, in particular, in its level of depth and complexity.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015.
NOTES
N/A
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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