Overview

The qualification will enhance the career of the graduate by enabling him/her to use higher order and lateral thinking and specialist knowledge in a particular discipline, profession or field of enquiry within the visual arts, and more broadly, within visual culture, and who can contribute to the economy of South Africa through Art and Culture.

Entry Requirements

The following criteria are needed for consideration in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the field of Fine Arts programme:  

• A minimum of 65% obtained in a BA degree in Fine Arts / Visual Arts / Art History / Curatorial Studies / Photography /Museology / Journalism or a related visual culture / creative arts related field. 
• Alternatively, if you are planning to apply via a Recognition of Prior Learning then you need to have at least a Matric degree and an age exemption certificate (i.e., must be 26 years or older) 

AND at least 3-4 years of professional practice in the field of Fine Arts / Visual Arts / Curatorship/ Art History scholarship / arts writing or a related visual culture or creative arts field. 

• Present a strong portfolio of 10 artworks to the committee. These images could take the form of digital still images (if so please present as a pdf), film stills or link to a website (or for video formats a Vimeo or Youtube link). This can be submitted in a digital format such as a flash drive, etc. Your portfolio of work should reflect your practice up to the present. TIP: As the portfolio represents both you and your work, please give the visual presentation at the postgraduate level good consideration as the application is reviewed not just by the Departmental Committee, but by School and Faculty Representatives in final decision-making. (This should be noted when choosing writing samples and writing the research proposals as well.) 
• All former academic transcripts of prior degrees.
  

• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae detailing professional experience including all qualifications and/or training certificates with formal and informal local and international arts and cultural organisations / projects/community projects that are relevant to the candidate’s practice and research application will be considered by the committee and may be subject to verification. The CV should also detail examples of achievement / recognition in the professional industry. These may include: solo and group exhibitions, arts projects, arts residencies, visual arts workshops, curated exhibitions, articles/books written, newspapers / magazines contributions, community engagement projects organised, collaborations, internships, academic / professional/industry awards, organisations and partnership involvement, examples of recognised industry / field / community awards; professional organisation membership/representation and other examples of recognised creative contribution to the industry; as well as informal/formal academic involvement in conferences, symposia, festivals. 
• A recent writing sample that gives the committee a good reflection of your academic writing capacity and/or additionally your creative writing. 
• No longer than a one-page proposal of what your intended research area/topic is for the Honours research year should you be accepted. 
• A personal motivation reflecting on why you want to apply for the BA Hons degree at the Wits Department of Fine Art and how this relates to your personal trajectory and history. Give us and idea of how this will develop your current artistic or other creative practice. (no more than 250 words) 

• Additional documents: (e.g., SAQA certification of any internationally obtained degrees and transcripts, proof of English-language proficiency)
  

The above should be sent to the WSOA PG Administrator: PG.WSOA@wits.ac.za.

If you have any queries about the above please feel free to contact the Dept of Fine Arts Postgraduate Coordinator: Prof Sharlene Khan: sharlene.khan@wits.ac.za.

Please note: even if your application is reviewed positively we may still require an interview according to Faculty rules.  

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)  

Wits University and the Wits School of Arts recognises prior learning and experience of applicants and assesses these towards the admission of applicants into undergraduate or postgraduate study or towards the granting of exemption, full or partial credit of one or more courses. Prior learning is recognised as having been acquired through formal, non-formal or informal routes. No applicant under the age of 26 may apply for RPL. RPL will be consider for the BA (Hons) in the field of Fine Arts and the Master of Arts in Fine Arts postgraduate programmes only. If you are interested in finding out more about applying for RPL in the Department of Fine Art, then please contact either Prof Sharlene Khan or the WSOA PG Administrator. 

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site 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.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.