Fine Arts

The BA Fine Arts degree combines fine art studio practice with academic study in Art History, Theory, and Criticism.

Overview

Explore all aspects of contemporary fine art. The BA Fine Arts degree combines fine art studio practice with academic study in Art History, Theory and Criticism. A BA in Fine Art opens more opportunities than many expect. By fostering creative problem‑solving, research skills, visual communication, and self‑management, it proves valuable both within the arts and across diverse fields. In practice, Fine Art alumni end up working in many areas. 

Painting, sculpture, photography, print-making, video, installation and digital media form the core of the studio programme, which is supplemented by a course in Professional Practice and Curating, along with a number of interdisciplinary options from other courses in the Wits School of Arts.

 

Career Opportunities

Career Paths Directly in the Arts

  1. Practising Artist
  • Painter, sculptor, photographer, performance artist, multimedia artist
  • Freelance or represented by galleries
  • Exhibitions, commissions, residencies
  1. Curating & Gallery Work
  • Gallery curator or assistant curator
  • Exhibition designer
  • Art handler/technician
  • Arts administrator in museums or institutions
  1. Art Education
  • School art teacher (with additional teaching qualification)
  • University/college lecturer or tutor
  • Community arts facilitator
  • Museum educator
  1. Art Conservation & Restoration
  • Requires further study
  • Conservation of paintings, sculpture, digital media, heritage objects
  1. Arts Management
  • Working in cultural organisations, festivals, theatres, art fairs
  • Programme manager, project coordinator, creative producer
  1. Illustration & Design
  • Illustrator (books, editorial, advertising)
  • Graphic designer
  • Motion graphics or animation (with some additional skills)
  • Concept artist for games/film
  • Digital & Creative Industries:
  1. UX/UI and Human-Centred Design

Fine artists excel at understanding visual communication and user experience. Many move into:

  • UX/UI design
  • Product design
  • Design research
  1. Creative Direction
  • Advertising agencies
  • Fashion and media companies

      Curriculum

      First-year
      • Fine Arts IA AND IB
      • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA AND IB
      • Drawing and Contemporary 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
      • Fine Arts IIA AND IIB
      • History of Arts IIA AND IIB
      • Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIA AND IIB
      Third-year
      • Fine Arts IIIA AND IIIB
      • History of Art IIIA AND IIIB
      • History of Art IIIC AND IIID
      • Drawing and Contemporary Practice IIIB
      Fourth-year
      • Research Project
      • Critical Theories and Visual Cultures
      • Fine Arts IVA AND IVB
      • Professional Practice in Fine Arts

      Entry Requirements

      APS 34+

      English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5

      Wait-listing

      Applicants with an entry requirement of at least 30-33 APS points are wait-listed, subject place availability.

      International applicants 

      For specific international entry requirements, click here to view the full guidelines.

      Additional Selection Criteria

      Applicants must complete an online questionnaire and upload a portfolio of artworks and a CV. Click here 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 application/s via the Self Service Portal.
      • Part-time students are not eligible for NSFAS funding, University Entrance Scholarships, or campus residence placement.
      • If you are an international applicant and/or hold 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 and Scholarships 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.