Bring Stories to Life Through Film
Open Window’s Bachelor of Film Arts is a dynamic degree that explores storytelling across film, television, and digital media through a rich, hands-on learning experience. The programme equips students with a broad range of audio-visual skills, preparing them to work confidently in today’s fast-evolving, time-based media landscape.
Narrative lies at the heart of the Film Arts experience, guiding students as they develop their voice across disciplines such as directing, scriptwriting, sound design, production design, and performance. Through studio-based learning, collaborative projects, and industry-relevant production processes, students build both creative and technical expertise, graduating ready to pursue sustainable careers in film and the wider audio-visual industry.
Campuses & Learning Format
Locations: Stellenbosch & Centurion
View the 2027 Degree subject prerequisites & modes of provisioning here:
Fees
- Â Application Fee: R 1 750*Â
- Registration Fee: R 12 000*Â
View the 2026 undergraduate fees here:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Degree admission and an English mark of 55%
- A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) with Degree admission and an English mark of 55%
- A Senior Certificate (SC) (with Bachelors endorsement) and an English mark of 55%
- NQF 5 qualification. If discipline is not cognate, at least 20% of credits must be academic-related literacy.
- For international qualifications: An USAf Exemption Certificate is required and meets the relevant English requirements or SAQA certificate indicating an NQF 4 qualification with the applicable English Requirement.
- International applications please contact crm@openwindow.co.za
- Mature Age Exemption Certificate issued by USAF.
- A portfolio of 3 creative works across any discipline
- The Internal Open Window Literacy Test will need to be completed by:
– International Applicants
– Applicants older than 23 years old with no NSC.
– Applicants holding an NQF level 5 OW qualification
The above will allow you to apply at the Open Window. However, academic vetting will still take place before issuing an Acceptance Letter. In addition, OW reserves the right to accept or deny applicants based on the OW Admission Policy.
Transforming Creativity in Your Career
At Open Window, your creative journey begins with exploration.
In your first year, you’ll experiment with a range of creative disciplines, building a broad foundation while discovering where your strengths and interests lie. From your second year onward, you begin to specialise, shaping a degree that reflects the creative path you want to pursue.
If film is where you see your future, your journey starts early. We recommend exploring film-related subjects in your first year to begin developing the creative and technical skills that will shape your direction.
This foundation leads into the Bachelor of Film Arts, where you’ll build a broad understanding before refining your focus across key disciplines such as film and television, screenwriting, sound design, production design, and screen acting.
Production Design
Production Design focuses on shaping the visual and atmospheric world of a film. Students explore set design, props, costumes, colour, and makeup to create cohesive, story-driven environments that support the narrative.
Potential careers include:
- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Set Designer
- Props Master
- Costume Designer
- Set Decorator
- Makeup Artist for Film
- Scenic Artist
- Art Department Coordinator
- Concept Artist
Film & Television
Film & Television focuses on directing and producing compelling audio-visual stories. Students explore cinematography, editing, storytelling, and production processes to create engaging content across film, TV, and digital platforms.
Potential careers include:
- Director
- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Film Editor
- Documentary Filmmaker
- Content Creator
- Assistant Director
- Camera Operator
- Video Producer
- Creative Director
Sound Design
Sound Design focuses on crafting immersive audio experiences for film and media. Students explore dialogue, sound effects, ambience, and mixing to shape the emotional and narrative impact of a story.
Potential careers include:
- Sound Designer
- Sound Editor
- Foley Artist
- Re-recording Mixer
- Audio Post
- Production Specialist
- Boom Operator
- Dialogue Editor
- Audio Producer
Screen Acting
Screen Acting focuses on performance for film and television. Students develop skills in characterisation, movement, and on-camera techniques to deliver authentic and compelling performances.
Potential careers include:
- Film Actor
- Television Actor
- Voice Actor
- Commercial Actor
- Presenter
- Dubbing Artist
- Stage Actor
- Performance Coach
- Casting Assistant
- Content Performer
Screenwriting
Screenwriting focuses on crafting stories for the screen. Students explore narrative structure, character development, and dialogue to create scripts for film, television, and digital media.
Potential careers include:
- Screenwriter
- Script Editor
- Story Developer
- Television Writer
- Copywriter
- Content Writer
- Narrative Designer
- Script Consultant
- Showrunner
- Creative Writer
How Open Window Degrees Work
Because Open Window degrees are designed to evolve with you, your first year focuses on creative exploration before you specialise in your chosen disciplines in later years.
Explore the full Open Window degree journey and see how your studies unfold from first year to graduation.
Student Work Showcase
Explore our exceptional undergraduate students’ work in film.