Program Overview

Digital Arts Program

The BA in Digital Arts degree brings together the creative and technical aspects of game creation. You will learn a variety of skills, including technical development and programming, illustration, animation, writing, and sound design.

Overview

The combination of artistic, technical, and critical skills equips you to be an innovator, practical problem-solver, as well as a critical thinker and digital artist. This multidisciplinary programme is offered to students from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering (BEngSc Digital Art) and the WSoA (BA Digital Arts).

Career Opportunities

• Animator
• Game Developer
• Systems Administrator
• Game Writer
• VR Developer

Curriculum

First Year

• Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA AND IB
• Game Design IA AND IB
• Digital Arts Practice IA AND IB 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

• Digital Art Theory II
• Game Design IIA AND IIB
• Digital Art Design Project Digital Art Practice II
• Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIA: Storytelling across Media and Cultural Contexts

Third Year

• Digital Art Theory IIIA AND IIIB
• Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIA: Aesthetics, Technologies and Commodity Cultures
• Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIB: Medium, Process and Criticality AND, a choice of two pairs:
  • Writing and Interactivity IIIA AND IIIB
  • Interactive Media IIIA AND IIIB
  • Animation IIIA AND IIIB
  • Game Design IIIA AND IIIB

Fourth Year

• Digital Arts Research Project
• Digital Art Project IV AND, select two courses from the following:
  • Animation IV
  • Game Design IV
  • Interactive Media IV
  • Writing and Interactivity IV

Entry Requirements

• APS: 34+
• English Home Language OR First Additional Language: Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an entry requirement of at least 30-35 APS points are wait-listed, subject to place availability.

Additional Selection Criteria

You will be required to attend a digital arts workshop and/or complete a questionnaire. 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.
• 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 application/s via the Self Service Portal.
• Part-time students are not eligible for NSFAS funding, University Entrance Scholarships, or campus residence placement.
• If you are an international applicant and/or hold a foreign qualification, please note that compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University.

University Fees and Funding

The Fees website 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.

Programme Details

• Programme Code: AFA11
• Faculty: Humanities
• School: Wits School of Arts
• Qualification: BA Digital Arts
• Duration: 4 years
• Study Mode: Full-time
• Closing Date: 30 September 2025