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.

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

  • Animator
  • Art Historian
  • Artist
  • Curator
  • Critic
  • Designer
  • Photographer
  • Teacher
  • Bookmaker/Publisher
  • (Co) Founder of cultural institution

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.

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 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.