Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Course Requirements at Stellenbosch Academy
Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography
The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication is a bachelor's Degree offered by Stellenbosch Academy for 2027 learners, taking 3 years full-time to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication at Stellenbosch Academy
- National Senior Certificate or IEB certificate
- Minimum APS of 24
- English is the language of teaching, so a good command of English is expected
- Cambridge school leavers need 4 AS-Levels (A to D) plus 1 IGCSE or O-Level (A to C) and English, or 2 A-Levels (A to D) plus 3 IGCSEs (A to C) and English
- A portfolio of creative tasks and a written motivation, as set out in the BA application pack
- Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA, and some international applicants may need an English proficiency test
- Applicants over 23 with relevant work experience may apply through Recognition of Prior Learning
About this course
This three-year, full-time degree is the Academy's flagship programme for school leavers who want a professional career in visual communication. It mixes hands-on studio work with theory, so you learn to make strong images and designs and also to think critically about them and present them to clients.
The structure is built to help you find the right discipline before you commit:
- Year 1: in the first semester you work across all five disciplines (graphic design, photography, art direction, illustration and multimedia). In the second semester you pick two of them to explore in more depth.
- Year 2: you settle on one major from the two you tried, based on where your strengths and interests lie.
- Year 3: the focus moves to your own practice, and you spend the year building a personal, industry-ready portfolio in your major.
The majors on offer are Applied Illustration, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Multimedia and Photography, and Photography.
Alongside the practical subjects, all students take theory subjects: Visual Studies, Discourse, Marketing, Business Leadership and technical software training. These give you the language, research skills and business sense that agencies and clients expect.
The degree sits at NQF level 7 and is taught on the Techno Park campus in small studio classes. Graduates with good results can apply for the Academy's BA Honours in Visual Communication (NQF 8). The SAQA ID and credit total are not listed on the Academy's website.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Good sign: Director appears on South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand, a Department of Higher Education and Training analysis of employer hiring activity. Employers have been reporting real recruitment pressure for this role, which generally works in your favour once you’ve completed Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like Stellenbosch Academy. Ask Stellenbosch Academy directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
This course sits in the middle for competitiveness. At an admission score of APS 24+, you have a reasonable chance if you apply in good time, though it’s not a sure thing. Don’t leave your application to the last week.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with Stellenbosch Academy and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through the Academy's student portal at stellenboschacademy.studentmanager.co.za after downloading the application pack for your programme from the Applications and Selections page. You will need a certified copy of your ID or passport, proof of payment of the R800 non-refundable application fee, your latest school results or certified NSC and any post-school transcripts, plus the portfolio tasks set out in the pack. Selection is competitive and places are confirmed once the R15 000 administration fee is paid.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography’s own official application page.
Apply NowYou will leave studies.mycourses.co.za and apply directly with Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography.
View all Courses at Stellenbosch Academy
- Duration
- 3 years full-time
- NQF Level
- 7
- APS / Points
- APS 24
- Fees
- 2027 first-year local tuition R179 988; R15 000 non-refundable admin fee due within 14 days of acceptance; 5% discount for single upfront payment. See the BA finance form.
- Campus
- Stellenbosch Campus (Techno Park), Stellenbosch
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.stellenboschacademy.co.za/bachelor-of-arts-in-visual-communication, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography before applying.