Visual Arts | UP Courses BA Information Design

Visual Arts | UP Courses BA Information Design

Programme information

This programme qualifies candidates for entry-level positions into the mass communications industries such as graphic design, branding and advertising as well as broadcast design. With a strong social underpinning, the programme incorporates design strategies, design applications and design products in print, ambient and screen-based media and technologies.

Closing date for applications: 30 June annually

Admission requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; and a candidate who is a graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Candidates who comply with the minimum subject requirements and achievement levels as well as the APS requirements of these programmes will be granted placement in the programmes, subject to the availability of space. The abovementioned is not applicable to selection programmes.
  • To retain admission, learners will be expected to obtain an APS of at least 28 in Grade 12. Prospective students who have already been granted provisional admission in these programmes, but obtained at least an APS of 27 in Grade 12, will be considered by the Admission Committee should space be available. The Admission Committee of the Faculty of Humanities will consider these students once the results of the National Benchmark Test (NBT) are available and depending on the availability of space.
  • The Faculty will assess satisfactory performance in the NBT in the light of its commitment to ensure that an appropriate proportion of the applicants will be drawn from the disadvantaged category of the population.
  • Applicants who meet the minimum APS requirement, but who do not comply with the subject requirements must write the NBT.
  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
  • Departmental selection for this degree programme involves a merit selection process and a final selection process, as well as the submission of a questionnaire and a portfolio of at least 20 recent works, which must be submitted to the Department of Visual Arts by 30 June. Detailed information about the selection process and the portfolio requirements can be obtained at www.up.ac.za/visualarts. Based on the questionnaire and the portfolio, you will be notified whether you qualify to continue with the final selection process. If your merit selection was successful, you will be invited to attend the final selection process, which consists of visualisation tests, practical tests and an interview. The final selection process takes place during August. You will be notified by end August of the result of the final selection tests. Approximately 100 applicants will be invited to take part in the final selection process.

Minimum requirements 

Achievement level

APS

Afrikaans or English

NSC/IEB

HIGCSE

AS-Level

A-Level

5

3

C

C

30

Additional requirements

Departmental selection is necessary prior to admission to this programme. Although Art as a Grade 12 subject is not a requirement, a candidate must be able to demonstrate his/her creative potential and commitment to the chosen field of study. Candidates are therefore required to submit a portfolio of work for a merit selection review and, if invited, undergo a series of tests and be interviewed by a selection committee. Contact the coordinator for more information. A student who chooses this programme must work in an appropriate design studio, approved by the coordinator, for at least six weeks during the third and fourth years.

Other programme-specific information

Students who are deemed NOT to be at risk of their level of academic literacy, are exempted from ALL 110 and ALL 125.

Promotion to next study year

##Promotion to the second year of study

Pass: IOW 100, ILL 101, VKK 111, 121 and 123.

##Promotion to the third year of study

Pass: IOW 200, VKK 211,221,222.

##Promotion to the fourth year of study

Pass: IOW 300, VKK 311, 321 and 322.

##The Dean may approve exceptions to these requirements on the recommendation of the head of the department.

Pass with distinction

The degree is awarded with distinction to a candidate who obtains at least 75% in IOW 400 and VKK 402.