Rhodes University Faculty of Fine Art Courses
Programmes Offered
Entrance requirements and application procedure
Undergraduate: Students intending to apply for the Bachelor of Fine Art degree, the Bachelor of Arts degree with Studio Practice, or the Diploma in Fine Art are required to submit a portfolio of recent artwork together with their formal admissions application (guidelines below). The applicant’s portfolio must be submitted together with his/her application form to the Student Bureau, Registrars Division.
Students interested in studying Studio Practice (Fine Art) are advised to study a four-year BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) – an Honours equivalent degree. However, a three-year BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree with a major in Studio Practice is also available. The degrees are structured as follows:
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA)
| First Year Studio Practice 1 Art History & Visual Culture 1 One subject of choice |
Second Year Studio Practice 2 Art History & Visual Culture 2 One subject of choice |
| Third Year Studio Practice 3 Art History & Visual Culture 3 |
Fourth Year Studio Practice 4 Art History & Visual Culture 4 |
Bachelor of Arts with Studio Practice (BA)
| First Year Studio Practice 1 Art History & Visual Culture 1 Two subjects of choice |
Second Year Studio Practice 2 Art History & Visual Culture 2 Two subjects of choice |
| Third Year Studio Practice 3 Art History & Visual Culture 3 |
Diploma in Fine Art (DFA)
A Diploma in Fine Art is available for students who may not have achieved university entrance but have a strong interest and artistic potential in Studio Practice and wish to further their education at tertiary level. This course currently has the same structure as the BFA, except that students are required to complete only the courses in Studio Practice and Art History & Visual Culture.
Undergraduate degrees without Studio Practice but including Art History & Visual Culture
As the degree structures above indicate, students studying Studio Practice must study Art History & Visual Culture as well. However, students can also study Art History & Visual Culture as part of a degree that does not include Studio Practice. Art History & Visual Culture is an especially useful inclusion in BA and BJourn degrees, and may be taken for one year, two years, or as a major.
Postgraduate
Entrance requirements and application procedure
Postgraduate: Prospective postgraduate students should contact the Head of Department for information regarding their application.
Honours in Art History (BA Hons)
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in Art History & Visual Culture and obtained good results for this subject may apply for entrance into Art History Honours studies. Students study three course components (or ‘papers’) each a semester in length, and write a long research essay of approximately 12 000 words. While the Department reserves the right to vary the themes of papers, they are typically on:
- Issues in African Art;
- Feminism and South African Women Artists;
- Critical Theory and the Visual Arts
Master of Fine Art (MFA)
Students who have completed BFA studies with good results may apply for entrance into Master of Fine Art (MFA) studies. This degree is by practice as research and candidates prepare an exhibition of original artworks accompanied by a supporting mini thesis. There is also an MFA option in Curatorial Practice which caters specifically for candidates looking to develop their capacities and understanding of professional curatorial practices. A candidate is required to curate an exhibition (rather than producing an exhibition of own work) in an established art museum/gallery and to develop a thesis of between 25 000 and 30 000 words exploring the theme and curatorial approach.
Master of Arts in Art History (MA)
Students who have completed a BA Honours in Art History or a BFA with good academic results may apply for Master of Arts studies in Art History. The degree is by thesis only.
Doctorate in Art History (PhD)
Candidates who have completed MA studies with good results may apply for PhD studies. The degree is by thesis.