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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Photography 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109945  Postgraduate Diploma in Photography 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-07-25  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners with a research orientation to specialise in the broader context of media production practice. The qualification serves to equip learners with specialised practice-based research knowledge and skills grounded in the principles of narrative media production. Learners are guided towards becoming able to engage independently in a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods that relate to photography and media production.

Rationale:
The curriculum design of the Postgraduate Diploma in Photography aims to give the learner enhanced skills and specialised knowledge and research understanding within photography and media production. This qualification provides vertical and horizontal articulation pathways to prospective students. Vertical articulation will be possible into a relevant Master's Degree on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) 9. Horizontal articulation will be possible into a relevant Bachelors Honours Degree at NQF 8. This qualification also introduces the student to basic research methodologies relevant to photography and media production. This qualification offers opportunity for further specialisation in a chosen direction of photographic or media production practice, supported with more in-depth theoretical knowledge and research acumen.

This qualification will allow learners to develop their practice into new directions, driven by drastic technological advances, which will lead to further mastery on Masters (NQF Level 9) qualifications. These specialist directions will involve visual communication products that are inclusive of stills photography, audio and motion recording. Advice from advisory board meetings as well as bench marking done with national and international institutions identified this course as a niche within the South African context.

Prospective learners will be able to articulate not only from the current media oriented photography programme, but also from other appropriate media related qualifications such as graphic design, multimedia, film and video studies etc. The current socio economic demands from the broader creative and media industries require entrepreneurial one-man service suppliers that can operate in any geographic region. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The details of the RPL policy are as follows:
  • Credits are awarded for relevant, approved prior learning (RPL).
  • Only then may the learner continue with full registration.
  • If the RPL is awarded, an exemption form is completed and the candidate may continue with full registration.

    Entry Requirements:
    The entry requirements to this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Photography/Media Production/Film and Video Production/Graphic Design, Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
  • Social Research Principles and Procedures, 20 Credits.
  • Theoretical perspectives on Photography and Media practice, 20 Credits.
  • Information Literacy and Academic Writing Skills, 10 Credits.
  • Research Proposal Development, 25 Credits.
  • Practice-based Project Planning, 20 Credits.
  • Practice-based Project Execution, 25 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the basic philosophical underpinnings that guide research and knowledge production.
    2. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of research principles and procedures in order to plan and conduct a research-oriented project within the photography and media production domain knowledge base.
    3. Apply philosophical understanding and knowledge of research methodologies and principles.
    4. Investigate and discover professional solutions to unfamiliar problems in personal creative expression or commercial application of audio and visual media.
    5. Collect, process and manage information, from a variety of sources on production methods, techniques, and visual or audio strategies that can enhance personal expression.
    6. Articulate creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems developed in the creative processes involved in media production, within the academic context.
    7. Demonstrate discipline and accountability through proper pre-planning, execution and finishing of theoretical and practice based tasks and learning processes.
    8. Express confidence through critical reflection by following established conventions in theory and practice in order to repurpose these conventions for personalised learning and growth.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to draw conclusions from theoretical and practical investigations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of objectivist and subjectivist research worlds.
  • Articulate and justify worldview and philosophical stance in relation to knowledge.
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of a variety of research methods.
  • Conceptualise the concept of data, specifically within a practice-based, and people-oriented qualitative research paradigm.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with various theoretical perspectives on photography and media practice.
  • Source and examine relevant examples of where these perspectives inform photographic and media practice and criticism.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of perspectives from which to approach creative practice, and to see how their own perspective impacts creative practice on various levels.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of a few key critical perspectives on technologies and creative practice such as feminism and the politics of representation, Post-structuralism, Semiotics.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of Post phenomenological perspectives on technologies and new materialist thinking.
  • Applying tools that aid writing about practice such as Semiotic analysis and discussion; phenomenological description.
  • Discovering, accessing, organising and evaluate information sources.
  • Apply ethical and fair use of information.
  • Apply referencing techniques and principles.
  • Demonstrate the skill to structure logical arguments within a creative environment.
  • Demonstrate the skills to write about their own practice in relation to relevant theory.
  • Apply research methods, approaches and principles.
  • Identify a problem within creative practice.
  • Provide background information to a creative problem.
  • Motivate the need for exploration of identified problem through reference to theoretical and audio-visual sources.
  • Plan effectively for solving problems within creative practice.
  • Investigate theoretical and audio-visual sources to motivate planning decisions.
  • Test and modify planning through practical experimentation and documentation and reflection.
  • Investigate a problem.
  • Reflect on practice and creative processes.
  • Document experimentation and final execution in written and other media.
  • Produce a well-crafted audio-visual production.

    Integrated Assessment:
    In this qualification, learners must demonstrate practical and reflective competencies. A combination of Formative and Summative Assessment is applied; feedback will be provided. Formative Assessment includes presentations, case studies, class and group discussions, debates, tests, experiential exercises, assignments and self-assessments. The Summative Assessments include the submission of an integrated portfolio, which are moderated externally.

    Outcomes and assessment criteria are communicated to learners in writing in their learner guides, according to level descriptors provided by Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) and relevant rubrics. One-on-one consultation sessions are also available for students. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is internationally comparable with the following qualifications:
    Middlesex University London, United Kingdom (UK), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) (MA Photography).
    NQF Level 8 Equivalent.
    Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) exit option after completing 120 Credits.
    On completion of this qualification the successful student will have Knowledge and understanding of:
  • Key concepts and ideas in creative thinking and different photographic research methodologies.
  • The range, social significance and history of contemporary photographic practice and the social role of the creative practitioner.
  • Current, individually related practice at the forefront of the contemporary photographic field and the interrelationship between theory and practice.
  • The processes of individually relevant creativity and their role in investigating and testing the validity of supposition.

    Cognitive (thinking) skills:
  • Articulate relevant questions and present complex concepts and ideas in research and contemporary practice of individual relevance.
  • Assess the validity of evidence through rational disputation and the application of advanced research skills.
  • Demonstrate a capacity for critical reflection, identifying appropriate photography research needs and considering the means and methodologies for meeting them.
  • Synthesise and implement advanced knowledge regarding the utilisation of particular strategies for learning when developing their own practice.

    Practical skills:
  • Manage (plan, organise, monitor, progress and complete) a complex creative or research project.
  • Apply dedicated photographic conceptual and technical skills at an advanced professional level.
  • Implement appropriate, effective and creative technological practice and research knowledge resources.
  • Follow principles and conventions of communication in research and practice appropriate to individual needs.

    Graduate skills:
  • Apply reflective practice strategies in developing advanced self-managed learning and professional practice.
  • Make use of a group as a creative resource in collaborative learning practices and team endeavours.
  • Carry out advanced work by connecting individually relevant theory with practice.
  • Communicate effectively utilising a variety of methods, applicable to individual needs and future professional context.
  • Plan for effective career development.

    Each 30-Credit module requires a total of 18 hours of study per week (comprising taught sessions, independent study, the use of studios, workshops and darkrooms, as well as presentations by visiting professional practitioners).
    Students take four 30 Credit modules and one 60 Credit module all at Level 7 (equivalent to Level 8 in South Africa). There is an exit award after 60 credits (Postgraduate Certificate) and after 120 Credits (Postgraduate Diploma). On completion of the PGDip stage, students then take one 60 Credit module, making a total of 180 Credits for their final award.
    The Developing Practice module (30 Credits), Critical Debates module (30 Credits) and Advanced Research module (30 Credits), are taken by all cohorts, assisting in the development of an active and engaged postgraduate culture and community. The modules provide students with the skills, knowledge and critical approaches necessary for the initiation and development of a self-directed photography project. These modules consist of regular subject seminars, tutorials and workshops.
    The Image and Insight (30 Credits) module is taken by the MA Photography cohort only and concentrates on furthering a specific photographic project.
    The Major Project (60 Credits) module allows for a major in-depth photographic project.
    Contact teaching is front-loaded in the first two terms, progressing towards an increasingly self-directed mode of study through periodic individual and group supervision. Students attend a series of illustrated lectures and moving image presentations from visiting professionals, which take place throughout Stages I and II.
    The final submission for the Masters of Arts (MA) Photography programme, module ART4004, is a completed major photographic project and a report supported by a verbal presentation.
  • The qualification chosen to benchmark against was selected because it uses a similar approach to introduce or.
    Learners to research concepts and methodologies that focus on practice. This is important because the vertical articulation options are also focused on practice research.
  • The qualification also demonstrates a progressive approach to media convergence and the blurring of disciplines that is the direction the creative industries are heading towards. Even so, the qualification we propose to offer is unique and therefore there are many differences. Some of the modules have been developed on the basis of recent research conducted within the Department of Visual Arts and Design at the institution, which also aligns it with current developments in thinking and working with technologies. The main difference is that the proposed qualification is focused on illustrative narrative media applications which plays to a more specific market sector beyond broadcast media.
  • Another aspect that distinguishes the proposed qualification from other offerings available on the same level is the inclusion of a Professional Practice module which develops entrepreneurial attitudes and skills.
  • The various courses have the same credit values and are offered on the same NQF levels. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Relevant Bachelors Honours Degree, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master's in Visual Arts, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.