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University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg) Film School

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The four-year undergraduate programme allows you to interrogate multiple aspects of filmmaking, in addition to specialised technical training.


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University of the Witwatersrand Film School Curriculum

First-year
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts 1A AND IBVisual Storytelling IA AND IBImage Creation IA AND IB

COMPULSORY REQUIREMENT ACROSS ALL BA PROGRAMMES

A student of the Bachelor of Arts 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:


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(i) Register in a first-language stream for two courses in isiZulu or Sesotho;
(ii) Register for two courses in any one of the following: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish; or
(iii) 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
  • Image Creation IIA AND IIB
  • Visual Storytelling IIA

Select courses yielding 48 credits from:

  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIA: Storytelling across Media and Cultural contexts
  • Screen Studies IIB, OR
  • History of Arts IIA
  • Critical Music Studies: Concepts and Contexts IIA
Third-year
  • Directing Fiction III
  • Documentary Film-making III
  • Principles of Sound Design III
  • Principles of Studio Production III
  • Screen Writing IIIA AND IIIB
    OR, select one course from the following:
  • Interactive Media IIIA
  • Animation IIIA
  • Theories of Art
  • Introduction to Cultural Policy and Management A
  • Funding Contexts in Cultural and Creative Industries

OR

  • Screen Studies IIIA AND
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIA: Aesthetics Technologies and Commodity Cultures
  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IIIB: Medium, Process and Criticality

OR

  • History of Art IIIC AND IIID

OR

  • Music in History and Society III: Musical Modernisms
  • Music in History and Society III: Music in Contemporary Lives

OR

  • Level 3000 courses yielding 36 credits
Fourth-year

Select one course from the following:

  • Long Essay in Film and Television
  • Research Project in Film and Television

Select four courses from the following:


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  • Fact and Fiction IV
  • Experimental Film IV
  • Fundamentals of Post-production IV
  • Fundamentals of Cinematography IV
  • Screenwriting IVA AND Screenwriting IVB

OR

Select three courses from the list above AND one appropriate fourth-year course from the following:

  • Film Studies IVA AND IVB
  • Digital Humanities
  • Participatory Cultures
  • Cultural Entrepreneurship
  • Arts, Marketing: Context, Strategies and Practices
  • Animation IV
  • Interactive Media IV
  • Key Moments in the 20th Century Arts: Tradition and Innovation.
  • Selected topic in Interdisciplinary Arts and Cultural Studies

University of the Witwatersrand Film School Entry Requirements

APS 34+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language 

Level 5

Wait-listing

An APS of 30-33 points may be wait-listed, subject to place availability. 

Additional Selection Criteria

Consideration for any degree in the Wits School of Arts requires applicants to fulfill the academic entrance criteria set out by the University. In addition, it is required that the applicant successfully complete an interview/audition/portfolio/written assignment at the Wits School of Arts. Consideration into the degree is dependent on you successfully fulfilling both these criteria.

University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg) Film School Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • 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 applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Wits Plus applicants, applications can only be done online. We will be in contact with you should we require additional documentation.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

Contact Details

General enquiries

Tel: +27 (0)11 717 1000

Admission enquiries

Tel: +27 (0)11 717 1888

Locate Us

1 Jan Smuts Avenue,

Braamfontein 2000,

Johannesburg,

South Africa


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