Digital Arts

The BA in Digital Arts degree brings together the creative and technical aspects of game creation. You will learn a variety of skills, including technical development and programming, illustration, animation, writing and sound design.

Overview

The combination of artistic, technical and critical skills equips you to be an innovator, practical problem-solver, as well as a critical thinker and digital artist.

This multidisciplinary programme is offered to students from the  School of Electrical and Information Engineering (BEngSc Digital Art) and the WSoA (BA Digital Arts).

Career Opportunities

  • Animator
  • Game Developer
  • Systems Administrator
  • Game Writer
  • VR Developer

Curriculum

First year 

  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA AND IB
  • Game Design IA AND IB
  • Digital Arts Practice IA AND IB

AND

A student is required to complete two semester courses in one of the following languages: isiZulu or Sesotho or South African Sign Language (SASL). If a student is proficient in any two of the three languages (isiZulu, Sesotho or SASL), the student is advised to do one of the following:

  1. register in a first-language stream for two courses in isiZulu or Sesotho,
  2. register for two courses in any one of the following: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, or
  3. formally apply to the Dean for exemption from the requirement to register for a language subject. Where an exemption has been granted, students must add a course/s yielding at least 36 credits in a subject approved by Senate. A student may also be granted a credit if s/he has completed the same or an equivalent course.

Second-year

  • Digital Art Theory II
  • Game Design IIA AND IIB
  • Digital Art Design Project Digital Art Practice II
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIA:
    Storytelling across Media and Cultural Contexts

Third-year

  • Digital Art Theory IIIA AND IIIB
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIA: Aesthetics, Technologies and Commodity Cultures
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIB: Medium, Process and Criticality

AND, a choice of two pairs:

  • Writing and Interactivity IIIA AND IIIB
  • Interactive Media IIIA AND IIIB
  • Animation IIIA AND IIIB
  • Game Design IIIA AND IIIB

Fourth-year

  • Digital Arts Research Project
  • Digital Art Project IV

AND, select two courses from the following:

  • Animation IV
  • Game Design IV
  • Interactive Media IV
  • Writing and Interactivity IV

Entry Requirements

APS 34+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an entry requirement of at least 30-35 APS points are wait-listed, subject to place availability.

Additional Selection Criteria

You will be required to attend a digital arts workshop and/or complete a questionnaire. Go to Additional Requirements for more information. Due to limited space, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to place availability, academic results, and other entry requirements, where applicable.

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.