Below you will find information specifically about studying Fine Art at the University of Cape Town’s Michaelis School of Fine Art, but there are many different schools and courses which focus on different areas of art such as commercial photography, fashion, design or commercial art.
Where should you study?
What aspect of art you are interested in and what career path would you like to follow? Find out what the various courses, degrees and diplomas offer to decide which course would suit your interests the best.
Some career options are: practicing as an artist, photography, commercial art, teaching, design, fashion, museum curatorship, collections management and education, art restoration and a host of other careers. Many of the careers mentioned above are not easy to move into directly from study, but most are impossible without some sort of qualification. You can find out about art courses by looking at websites, reading prospectuses about the courses, speaking to students who are currently studying and art teachers or people working in related art fields. If you can go to open days at art schools this is a great way to find out information. Michaelis has two open days, one as part of the University of Cape Town’s Open Day and another at the art school. Scroll around our website tabs to view more information.
A bit about Michaelis
The Michaelis School of Fine Art is the art department of the University of Cape Town. It is one of the most prestigious and well equipped art schools in the country. If you want to learn, read, think, question and write about art, with the opportunity to develop your practical skills to a professional level under the guidance of practicing artists, then you may be interested in studying for a degree at Michaelis. Studying at Michaelis will give you a thorough academic grounding in Fine Art practice and theory. You will have access to tuition in both from experienced lecturers and artists, good equipment and an excellent library. A degree is one of the highest and most prestigious qualifications, important in any career path. It is confirmation of a high level of achievement. A degree provides knowledge, skills and experience under the guidance of professional artists and experienced lecturers in a stimulating environment, and students learn to work independently and professionally.
Some professions and occupations our graduates work in: professional artist, photographer, theorist, critic, curator, museum director, education officer, lecturer, teacher, gallerist, restorer, art director (film industry), graphic design, specialist supplier, art administrator, designer, specialist technician.
This art school is situated on a beautiful campus near to museums, galleries and public transport. You can read more about the school on the website.
Studying at Michaelis
Michaelis offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and a postgraduate diploma. The undergraduate degree is 4 years and includes a discourse and theory component. The BA Fine Art degree is a four year programme. The first year is an intensive introduction to all practical disciplines – photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking and new media as well as courses in drawing, theory and discourse. Thereafter a choice of 2 practical subjects together with drawing is made for second year, and one for third and fourth year. Throughout the degree students continue to study theory and discourse of art. In third year there are also enrichment electives which include digital media such as design and photography software, and video editing. 4th Year is called Studiowork IV and although a student may have majored in a particular discipline, they have the freedom to work in multiple disciplines.
You can also download our Orientation Week Handbook here, for more information on studying at Michaelis.
Application Details and Deadline
You can download the UCT handbook to view the various courses offered at Michaelis or collect a hard copy from the secretary at the school. The handbook contains entrance requirements and course outlines. Application forms must be submitted to Michaelis and to UCT. These can be downloaded from the Michaelis website.
The portfolio deadline for Michaelis is usually the end of August, and the application deadline for UCT is usually the end of October (check the website). It is very important that you check this information as it can change.
No application will be considered without a portfolio.
For more information relating to studying at Michaelis and preparing for art school in general, click and save, this word document.
