Arts and Social Sciences

The Department of Visual Arts is an internationally recognised school that offers award-winning programmes in Jewellery Design, Fine Art and Visual Communication Design.

Our cutting-edge curricula combine industry-oriented studio practice with BA subjects taken with students from across the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Our degrees benefit from a wealth of historical tradition and academic experience but are geared toward the competitive contemporaneous industries in which our students will become leaders.

 

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How do I apply to the University?
  • A general university application form for registration in the Arts and Social Sciences Faculty is available from Ms Annatjie Moolman, amm@sun.ac.za; 021 808 2508.
  • The due date for the general university application form (the Arts and Social
    Sciences Faculty) is 30 June 2021.
How do I apply for the BA in Visual Arts degree?
  • The BA in Visual Arts degree programme is a specialized programme and therefore requires a selection process. Below is the application procedure.
  • You need to apply with the required Visual Arts Department portfolio for entrance into the undergraduate course. The portfolio requirements are on the website.
  • The due date for the visual arts portfolio (Visual Arts Department) is 1 September 2021.
Where can I get more information on the Visual Arts Department?
Where can I get more information on the fees for the course?

You can request a quote for the course here: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/fees/provisional-statement-of-fees-
(quotation)

Do I need to do art or design as a school subject to be able to apply for this degree?

No, art or design on school level is not a pre-requisite for admission.

Which subjects should be taken at school to be able to follow this programme?

No specific subjects are required, but we look at the average of your school marks and your portfolio application.

Are my extramural activities and achievements at school important for my application?

No, we do not necessarily look at that.

What are the requirements for getting accepted into the course?

There are three essential requirements to be considered for this course:
1. You will need Matric exemption with an overall average of at least 60%.
2. You need to apply to get into the University before 30 June 2021.
3. You need to submit a completed portfolio by the 1st of September 2021.

I have heard the first year is integrated and the same for all the students. Can I decide in which direction I would like to specialise in after the first year?

No, you need to apply for your specialisation (Fine Arts, Jewellery Design and Visual Communication Design) from the start as there are a specific number of places in every division.

What is the possibility of changing to another specialization (during, or at the end of the first year)?

It is possible, but only on condition that there is space in the other division. It is not a guarantee that a change can be accommodated.

Do I have to add a second choice to my portfolio application?

We encourage all interested learners to add a second choice of study on their application to stand a better chance of getting into our Department.

How many spots are available and how does the selection take place?

Selection is based on the quality of the prescribed portfolio. Annually we receive a large number of applications of which usually 60 students are selected.

What are the daily hours spend at the Department?

Classes are from 9:00 – 17:00 with a lunch break of an hour. Practical projects are carried out in studios in the Department during class hours. Theory classes and BA subjects (lectures and tutorials) at 1st and 2nd year levels take place at various times throughout the day.

What theoretical subjects do I have to take in the programme?

All art students need to enrol for the BA subject, Visual Studies, for three years. Visual Studies: Visual culture and interpretation; 19th & 20th-century visual culture; Identity and difference in African and South African visual culture.

Students will also be able to choose one other BA subject. The visual is a language that functions as an integral part of society; hence there is a choice between English, Afrikaans en Nederlands or Sociology. The same choice subject is continued for the first 2 years of study.

In 4th year there is only one theory subject, called Theory of Art & Design.

What practical subjects do I have to take in the programme?
In the first year all students follow the same subjects, Integrated Art & Design and Drawing. From the second year onwards, specialised subjects in each of the three divisions are added to the two main subjects. See descriptions below and a visual
diagram* at the bottom. You will find more detailed information on the subject breakdown of each division on our website or the University yearbook.

Integrated Art & Design: introduction, integration and application of two and three dimensional art and design concepts.

Drawing: Spatial relationships between drawing elements.

  • Fine Arts: Investigating 2D and 3D artmaking processes: Painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography and new media.
  • Jewellery Design: Critical and analytical investigation of concepts and techniques within the creative jewellery and metal design field. Methods of 2D design and development of concepts in 3D; introduction to specialised 3D, metal and production techniques, Computer Aided Design and Photography.
  • Visual Communication Design: Critical exploration of the role of the designer within 21st century society. Focus areas include: image generation, structural organization, navigation and storytelling in identity design (branding), packaging design, editorial and publication design, 2D and 3D, screen-based animation and interactive design, narrative storytelling and illustration, social campaign, documentary video, navigation/wayfinding in digital and physical environments, experience design, service design, interaction design.
Does the Fine Art programme offer a course in 2D and 3D animation?

We offer an introductory course in Stop Motion Animation with emphasis on story telling. Techniques include Claymation, Pixilation, Puppet animation, Cut-out and Object-motion.

Will I learn digital skills that will equip me to not only work in analogue mediums but also help to develop a website, work with Photoshop etc.?

Yes, we introduce students to a range of digital software and skills, including 3D prototyping and augmented reality.

Why study Art at Stellenbosch? What sets us apart from other art schools such as Vega, Red & Yellow, Stellenbosch Academy, etc.?

A university course is meant to be a broad education. We do not train students, we educate them to think, make and do. The emphasis is on critical awareness and social impact – to become thought leaders, innovators and contribute towards a productive society. The course emphasises individual strengths and students are well-rounded and versatile. A full four-year degree is obtained and once you graduate you can apply for a master’s degree with this qualification.

What are my career possibilities?

Professional fine artist, art teacher, graphic designer, illustrator, jewellery designer and manufacturer/ goldsmith, computer aided designer (CAD), art critic or art theorist, lecturer.

Related professions: stage designer, book designer, curator, museum and art gallery custodian, art dealer, art entrepreneur, gemmologist, technical expert in sculpture, welding, casting, lithography as well as fields such as film production, art direction,
photography, and advertising.

What are the possibilities for future postgraduate studies?

Since the BA in Visual Arts and Design is a 4-year degree, students can gain immediate access into Master’s programmes locally and abroad.

What are the postgraduate specialization areas?

BA Hons (Visual Arts Illustration) (practical modules with a theoretical component)
• BA Hons (Visual Studies) (theoretical)
• MA (Visual Studies) (theoretical)
• MA (Visual Arts) (integrated theory and praxis as part of a practice-based methodology)
• MA in Visual Arts (Art Education)
• PhD (Visual Arts) (theoretical or practice-based depending on the preference of the candidate)

Will I get a job one day?

The art industry is a complex, competitive, and demanding environment, but an art degree is also a highly desirable qualification in the new knowledge economy, where creative thinking and transferable skills are applicable to a wide range of creative fields.
It also equips you with the imagination, adaptability, and resourcefulness to invent the job you wish to have. Our students are sought after due to their broad skillset that allows them to do a broad range of things. Some go into advertising, others in design,
photography, film, TV, teaching, consultants, facilitators of social projects, artists, illustrators, etc. They also work all over the world: South Africa, America, South America, Canada, Britain, India, France, The Netherlands, Australia, etc. Many start their own businesses and work for themselves (the profile of a designer is the same as that of an entrepreneur).

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