Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fashion

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide an alternate option for passionate learners which, on completion, will see them prepared for further study locally or globally or within a specialisation area of the industry.

This qualification prepares learners for study that is specialised, research-based and grounded in theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The motivation for this qualification is to prepare learners for a specialist career in fashion or further academia and study in the field of fashion.

A qualifying learner will be able to combine and strengthen their knowledge in a chosen discipline within the total fashion industry, as well as develop research capacity within the appropriate methodologies of that discipline. This will be achieved through the conducting of supervised research to produce a mini dissertation evidencing their chosen specialisation. The qualification's structure will provide a depth of theory and level of application needed for a post-graduate level mini dissertation, provided by the core disciplines of Fashion Business Thinking and Fashion Theory and Culture, as well as a fundamental course in Research Methodology.

Fashion Business Thinking will support learners in analysing and criticising how global fashion is responding to the critical and interconnected issues facing contemporary society, including shifting consumer behaviours, ethical concerns, and environmental challenges. Fashion Theory and Culture will guide learners in researching and identifying key historical and contemporary themes related to global fashion consumption and its links to personal identity. Research Methodology will provide learners with the tools to conduct initial research and develop a research proposal to position the research topic within the fashion context.

In line with this qualification being research-based, learners will be given the opportunity to implement a mini dissertation with consideration to the research strategy, formulation of the findings and establishing opportunities for further research.

This qualification is industry-led, career-readying, and learners will be prepared for a higher level of specialisation that is relevant to the graduate's aptitude and planned career trajectory, as well as opening the avenues of further study or a career in academia. It will similarly provide a bridging pathway to other industries relating to fashion and design based on the learner's specialisation.

Upon completion of this qualification, the qualifying learner will be able to

• Conduct initial research and develop a research proposal to position the research topic within the fashion context.
• Implement a research strategy according to a plan to formulate findings and establish opportunities for further research.
• Analyse and criticise how global fashion is responding to the critical and interconnected issues facing contemporary society, including shifting consumer behaviours, ethical concerns, and environmental challenges.
• Research and identify key historical and contemporary themes related to global fashion consumption and evaluate its links to personal identity.
• Identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to the context of the fashion industry and fashion research.

Rationale

The rationale for this qualification is to respond to the need that has been reviewed by leading experts in the field of fashion education, including Steven Faerm, Gene Lakin, Dr Cindy Ramhurry, Massimo Cassagrande as well as other fashion education scholars/academics. This feedback has been integrated into the qualification structure.

As an identified priority growth area by the National Planning Commission for the Department of The Presidency in their 2030 National Development Plan, the clothing and textile sector requires talented and motivated creative individuals. This qualification equips learners with the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and values required by people working in the field of fashion. This qualification serves to meet the growing local demand for quality education with a workplace focus on fashion and related fields.

The need for this qualification has been identified in relation to learners, and the local and global fashion industry. There is a noticeable increasing trend in the number of this institution's learners progressing to further study. There is a high desire to maintain the throughput development of foundational fashion knowledge and skills, as well as an additional offering to meet the demand for post-graduate study, that exists. Learners would be able to successfully complete their post-graduate qualification in a familiar environment and with familiar support structures to improve their potential for academic success.

Furthermore, the industry needs to include the professional development of employees and upskilling requirements of qualified staff. Many local fashion companies are advertising for roles with requirements specifying higher levels of qualifications or the potential to study further during employment. This is seen as an opportunity for the nurturing and development of future employees as academics. Through this qualification, learners will benefit from the deepening of research capacity and provide a platform for further development.

This qualification offers a planned and purposeful set of learning outcomes that will prepare learners for entry into any of the sub-sectors of the fashion industry and further learning in this learning pathway.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Fashion, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Fashion, NQF Level 7.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.

• Research Methodology, 10 Credits.
• Research Project, 30 Credits.
• Fashion Business Thinking, 40 Credits.
• Fashion Theory and Culture, 40 Credits.

1. Conduct initial research and develop a research proposal to position the research topic within the fashion context.
2. Implement a research strategy according to a plan to formulate findings and establish opportunities for further research.
3. Analyse and criticise how global fashion is responding to the critical and interconnected issues facing contemporary society, including shifting consumer behaviours, ethical concerns, and environmental challenges.
4. Research and identify key historical and contemporary themes related to global fashion consumption and evaluate its links to personal identity.
5. Communicate consumer-related issues, innovative solutions, and research findings to a range of audiences in writing and orally in an academically correct and professional manner, using different types of media and technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.

• Gather and review primary and secondary research and evaluate information against own opinion.
• Combine and integrate researched information in an appropriate presentation method.
• Define the function and structure of a research proposal and evaluate and formulate the sections of the research proposal in relation to the research title and questions.
• Pose concise and sufficient research questions, and stipulate and justify an appropriate research paradigm.
• Plan an effective research methodology according to the requirements of an arts-based empirical study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.

• Collect and evaluate literature for relevance to the argument context and justify and summarise it concisely.
• Coordinate justified literature according to the flow and context of the argument.
• Implement and present a research plan and analyse the data.
• Formulate conclusive findings against research questions, reflect and implement own learning and research process.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.

• Evaluate fluctuating consumer behaviours, ethical concerns, and environmental challenges.
• Solve problems using practical creativity by applying critical thinking strategies.
• Analyse and criticise how the global fashion industry reacts to and communicates issues facing contemporary society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.

• Investigate the meaning of dress and its relationship to the body.
• Evaluate the theories of gender, sexuality, and the politics of identity within the context of fashion.
• Analyse the social and economic histories of making and consuming clothing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Apply appropriate citation and referencing in areas of specialisation.
• Comply with intellectual and copyright requirements when incorporating ideas from others.
• Present and discuss fashion-related aspects and needs, using different types of media and technologies.