Programmes Offered
Undergraduate
Students interested in studying Studio Practice (Fine Art) are advised to study a four-year BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art). However, a three-year BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree with a major in Studio Practice is also available. The degrees are structured as follows:
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA)
First Year | Second Year |
Third Year | Fourth Year |
Bachelor of Arts with Studio Practice (BA)
First Year | Second Year |
Third Year |
Diploma in Fine Art (DFA)
A Diploma in Fine Art is available for students who have not achieved university entrance but have a strong interest in Studio Practice. This course is currently the same as the BFA, except that students are required to complete only the courses in Studio Practice and Art History & Visual Culture.
Undergraduate degrees without Studio Practice but including Art History & Visual Culture
As the degree structures above indicate, students studying Studio Practice must study Art History & Visual Culture as well. However, students can also study Art History & Visual Culture as part of a degree that does not include Studio Practice. Art History & Visual Culture is an especially useful inclusion in BA and BJourn degrees, and may be taken for one year, two years, or as a major.
Postgraduate
Honours (BA Hons) in Art History
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in Art History & Visual Culture and obtained good results for this subject may apply for entrance into Art History Honours studies. Students study three course components (or “papers”), each a semester in length, and write a long essay of about 12 000 words. While the Department reserves the right to vary the themes of papers, they are normally on:
Issues in African Art;
Feminism and South African Women Artists;
Critical Theory and the Visual Arts
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Students who have completed BFA studies with good results may apply for entrance into Master of Fine Art (MFA) studies. This degree is by research. Candidates prepare an exhibition of original artworks accompanied by a thesis.
Master of Arts (MA) in Art History
Students who have completed a BA Honours in Art History or a BFA with good results may apply for Master of Arts studies in Art History. The degree is by thesis and no coursework is involved.
PhD in Art History
Candidates who have completed MA studies with good results may apply for PhD studies. The degree is by dissertation and no coursework is involved.
Entrance requirements and application procedure
Undergraduate: Students intending to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Art degree, the Bachelor of Arts degree with Studio Practice, or the Diploma in Fine Art are required to submit a portfolio of work, comprising photographs of original works and/or images of works on CD. Each applicant will be assessed on the basis of his/her merits, and the portfolio should thus provide a selection of works. The applicant’s portfolio should be submitted together with his/her application form (obtainable from Admissions) to the Registrar.
Postgraduate: Prospective postgraduate students should contact the Head of Department for information regarding their submissions.
