Program Overview

BA in Visual Art

The BA in Visual Art programme is offered by the Department of Visual Art, Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.

General

• Faculty Website: Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
• Department: Department of Visual Art
• Programme Level: Undergraduate
• Programme Name: BA in Visual Art
• Programme Code: B8BA7Q
• Medium of Facilitation: Full-Time
• NQF Level: 7
• NQF Credits: 400
• SAQA: 97904
• Application Start Date: 1 April 2025
• Application End Date: 31 October 2025
• Campus: Auckland Park Bunting Road
• Duration of Study: 3 Years

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop students' creative, imaginative and critical knowledge, skills and academic research capabilities to practice as artists within the domains of the visual-cultural industries, and/or to engage in postgraduate study in visual art. The degree programme will equip students with a thorough knowledge of visual art practices, discourses, theories and research methodologies. The programme facilitates the creation of meaning through art; research within art history and criticism; contemporary artistic production; civic agency; visual identity; and visual technologies. The programme will focus on creative and critical thinking according to ethical and professional standards, in order to explore experimental, transformative and inter-disciplinary approaches to the making, reception and analysis of art within pan-African and international contexts. In keeping with the University's focus on promoting African scholarship, the BA (Visual Art) programme addresses the need for academically adept, discipline-sophisticated and civic-minded graduates who are able to respond to the challenges of visual culture in a globalized environment. The programme is accessible to students in the Faculty of Humanities who wish to study Art History and Theory up to third year level. The Department of Visual Art may recommend Visual Art students access to certain cognate modules offered in the Faculty of Humanities.

Career Opportunities

Visual Art graduates find work in diverse fields of the visual arts industries. In addition to being a professional artist, graduates could work in:

• Art education and training
• Art gallery and museum curating and management
• Art consulting
• Arts writing
• Art criticism
• Research and journalism
• Printmaking and print studio management
• Paper making and paper production design
• Community and arts project management
• Visual events management

Admission Requirements

A minimum APS of 25 with Mathematics or Technical Mathematics or 26 with Mathematical Literacy. English 5 (60%+), Mathematics or Technical Mathematics 3 (40%+) or Mathematical Literacy 4 (50%+)

UJ Faculties

The University of Johannesburg comprises the following faculties:

• College of Business and Economics (CBE)
• Faculty of Art, Design And Architecture
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Science
• Johannesburg Business School