SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Architectural Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48731  Bachelor of Architectural Studies 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Architecture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
The individual Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary for each Learning Programme recorded against this qualification is shown in the table at the end of this report.  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 6  NQF Level 07  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
The essential minimum required outcomes and their assessment criteria have been identified in an abstract way and are not linked to a preconceived curriculum. The Qualification sets a minimum standard of outcomes with which all similar Qualifications (regardless of the title) have to comply for accreditation.

The aims of the Qualification are 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

(vi) produce learners who are prepared for life long learning.

Rationale.
Architecture is an independent profession within the built environment.
The generation of a generic first degree 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 programme of study to progress not only towards the professional degree in architecture, but also towards other Qualifications associated with the built environment. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF 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.

Recognition for prior learning (RPL).
Formal Prior Learning

Prior learning of a learner is recognized if evidence is produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria for admission to programmes of study leading 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 have 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. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The curriculum of any provider leading to the Qualification must comply with the exit-level outcomes and assessment criteria of the Qualification.
These providers are best placed to decide on the final number of credits to be allocated to fundamental learning, core learning and elective learning and the best combination of these three components of learning in the light of the purpose, exit-level outcomes and degree of specialisation of their specific learning programmes. Tying the three learning components to specific credit ratings would amount to over-specifying curriculum design for what is a generic Qualification. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
A programme leading to the award of the first degree in architecture aims to develop graduates who will possess demonstrateable skill and competence to operate at the level of Senior Architectural Technologists and to:
  • communicate effectively in drawing, writing and verbally with clients
  • be aware of the impact of architectural activity on society and the environment
  • be aware of the role of architectural history
  • be competent to work efficiently as an individual in teams and multi-disciplinary situations
  • use and apply information technology
  • interpret and apply legal principles within the context of the built environment
  • be competent to apply knowledge of design, construction, materials, structure and procedure from the first principles to complex architectural solutions
  • be competent to collect relevant information necessary for a thorough analysis of an architectural proposition
  • be competent to synthesise collected information and produce creative procedural and non-procedural design solutions for an architectural project

    On achieving this Qualification

    Learners are competent to
  • 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. 

  • ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessors should look for the following evidence from learners:

    a set of drawings, a written explanation and an oral presentation that describes an architectural problem, the process of solving the problem and solution to the problem is produced and delivered
  • demonstrate systematic, well-rounded knowledge and an ability to question basic assumptions to core, theory and basic methodology used in architecture and other disciplines operating in the built environment

    use acquired knowledge and skills to present architectural solutions with all appropriate information
  • interpret sketch plans and instructions as issued by a senior practitioner and present these as technical documentation for contractual construction purposes

    produce appropriate solutions to a diverse range of architectural problems, deconstruct an architectural problem into separable and overlapping information, both qualitative and quantitative, such that it can be analysed to point the way to an appropriate solution
  • resolve an architectural project in conceptual and practical terms, to produce and communicate a design that is both creative and responsible for a simple straightforward brief

    successfully design architectural solutions that solve a problem functionally, appropriately and imaginatively
  • integrate the requirements of climate, sustainability, materials, structure and construction into an architectural design, to provide optimal architectural performance for a simple straightforward brief

    demonstrate an understanding of climate, sustainability, materials, structure and construction and how these inform and integrate into design solutions
  • detail and specify materials, finishes, fabrication and assembly methods of a project.and in relation to professional outcomes,

    demonstrate the ability to produce and present designs that are both creative and responsible

    demonstrate the ability to detail and specify the materials, fabrication and assembly of design projects in a sensible and realistic manner

    demonstrate an awareness of the requirements in terms of social, cultural values, and environmental criteria of all those associated with the creation of the built environment.

    Integrated Assessment

    Learning and assessment are integrated throughout the programme. 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. 

  • INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Qualification is comparable in length and vigour of standard with similar first degrees in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and many commonwealth countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore and Malaysia. Basically the Qualification gives access to the professional degree in architecture i.e. B Arch or to a postgraduate diploma in those countries.

    Comparability in the Commonwealth is made by way of joint accreditation boards on the basis of assessment of academic content and standard. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical

    Completion of the Qualification will allow access to the programme of study for the B Arch or M Arch (Professional) degree subject to an acceptable pass mark or to Masters degrees in City Planning & Urban Design, City & Regional Planning MTech Architectural Technology and similar programmes of study, depending on the institution.

    It will also allow access to level 7 programmes of study in architecture at other universities.


    Horizontal

    Completion of the Qualification will allow access to level 6 specific area-focussed programmes in the career-focussed track, subject always to institutional discretionary requirements having been met.

    Diagonal

    It allows entrance to the B.Tech degree at a technikon for learners with technical aptitude. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • The Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) has primary responsibility for all higher education quality functions.
    The HEQC programme accreditation framework is expected to make provision for ongoing accreditation of professional Qualifications by professional institutions.



    Moderation options include
  • external peer reviews
  • assessment of standards by the South African Council for the Architectural Profession in terms of The Architectural Professions Act No 44 of 2000
  • compliance with the framework, regulations and requirements established by the HEQC which includes the appointment of accredited/registered external examiners (external to the provider) 

  • CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    LP ID Learning Programme Title Originator Pre-2009
    NQF Level
    NQF Level Min Credits Learning Prog End Date Quality
    Assurance
    Functionary
    NQF Sub-Framework
    8765  Bachelor of Architectural Studies  University of the Free State  Level 6  NQF Level 07  428     CHE  HEQSF 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THESE LEARNING PROGRAMMES: 
    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.
     
    LP ID Learning Programme Title Accredited Provider
    8765  Bachelor of Architectural Studies  University of the Free State  



    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.