Program Overview

Digital Arts Program Overview

The Digital Arts Department offers a Master of Arts by Research program, with areas of study including Game Design, Game Studies, Interactive Narrative, Culture & Technology in Africa, Digital Culture and Decolonisation, and Digital Creative Industries. The degree can be taken part-time over two years or full-time in one year.

Program Structure

• The program is available for enrollment at the beginning (February) or the middle (July) of an academic year.
• An array of Digital Arts subjects are available for supervision, dependent on available supervision, covering subjects in Game Design, Game Studies, Interactive Narrative, Culture & Technology in Africa, Digital Culture and Decolonisation, Digital Creative Industries, and more.

Entry Requirements

• Previous Degree: NQF level 8
• Marks Transcript from Previous Degree: Marks 65% or above, or a very good practice portfolio allowing for marks in theory at 60% or above.
• Cover Letter: Indicating reasons for wanting to undertake an MA with Digital Arts, an overview of previous academic history, and what has led them to apply for the MA.
• Expression of Interest: Indicating the field and/or topic of study they wish to research, and whether they would like to undertake a creative or practice component.
• Sample of Academic Writing: Honours paper, research paper, or published research article.
• Creative Portfolio & CV: Evidence of previous degree or experience in Digital Art or Digital Creativity, and a portfolio of creative work reflecting a Digital Creative practice.
• Interview: May be required if there is a question or need for further information from the applicant concerning their expression of interest.
• RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) Applications: Available for applicants with extensive industry experience, requiring a bridging year with specific courses and extensive work experience in the field or topic to be researched.

University Application Process

• Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC).
• Once the application is complete, it will be referred to the relevant School for assessment.
• Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
• Selections for programs with limited intake may only finalize the application at the end of the application cycle.

University Fees and Funding

• The current average tuition fees are available on the Fees site.
• Information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, is available on the University's Postgraduate Funding portal.
• External bursaries and NRF bursaries are also available.

Program Details

• Faculty: Humanities
• School: Wits School of Arts
• Qualification: MA
• Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: 30 November, with limited spaces available.