DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY, VISUAL
ARTS AND MUSICOLOGY
P.O. Box 392, UNISA, 0003
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:
Advanced University Diploma in Visual Arts
DFA100W
The Advanced Diploma in Visual Arts offers an excellent training programme for anyone
interested in pursuing art-making on a professional level, as preparation for the MVA degree and
as further studies in art education. The Diploma involves a minimum study period of one year
but can be taken over a period of two years.
The Diploma comprises both practical and theoretical research. The programme is specifically
structured to allow each individual student as much individual exploration and development as
possible, therefore no compulsory assignments are set. Each student is required to submit a
proposed study project based on his or her own area of interest. The requirements for the
practical component for each student are structured around this proposal and determined by the
nature of the research.
• Practical work - any relevant field of art-practice or associated area which arises from the
visual research in the student’s chosen area of interest. This work is presented for evaluation
either as a solo exhibition or alternative appropriate presentation.
• Workbook or research journal - this is an A3 workbook in which the student develops
visual research methodologies for the conceptualisation of ideas. The journal becomes a full
record of the student’s involvement, commitment and development, but more importantly,
displays the student’s ability to work independently.
• Portfolio of working drawings or alternative preparatory work - the student is expected to
develop his/her practical component through whatever creative processes and media are
appropriate.
• Exhibition catalogue/presentation file - this should contain a CV, an abstract of the research
paper and complete photo-documentation of the practical work.
• Research article - this research component is directly related to the student’s practical work
in which the issues concerning the student’s particular field of interest are critically
investigated.
• Professional criteria and standards in terms of art-making or associated discipline in a
contemporary context will be expected from every potential applicant.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
a) Training in Visual Arts and submission of a body of practical work or a proposal for an artrelated project before admission can be considered.
b) An appropriate qualification that is deemed to be at least equivalent to a three-year
university diploma or degree in Visual Arts or related areas.
c) Please note that students who have enrolled for DFA100W qualification as a bridging
towards MVA are required to register for ARH411R (year module), also note that ARH411R
is not a requirement for the completion of DFA100W.
POSSIBLE MEDIA OR ART-PRACTICE:
painting
drawing
craft art
fabric art
eco-art
ceramics
sculpture
video
concept art
waste-art
installation
printmaking
mixed media
photography
environmental art
computer graphics and related areas
public arts and related areas
community arts and related areas
arts and culture and related areas
art, science and technology
2010 COST:
DFA100W
ARH411R
R1664
R1126
CONTACT DETAILS:
Dr Nombe Mpako (Course coordinator)
Tel: 012 429 6391, e-mail: mpakonp@unisa.ac.za
Celia de Villiers
Tel: 012 429 6675, e-mail: dvillch@unisa.ac.za
Sharlene Khan
Tel: 012 429 6537, e-mail: skhan1@unisa.ac.za.