Making Your Imagination Interactive
Open Window’s Bachelor of Arts in Game Design & Animation Arts is a cutting-edge degree that offers 3D Animation, Motion Design, Game Design, Game Development, and Visual Effects through a creative and technically rich learning experience. This programme is designed for imaginative thinkers who want to bring characters, worlds, and ideas to life through movement, interactivity, and visual storytelling.Â
Narrative plays a central part in the Animation Arts experience, regardless of whether you’re animating for film, designing motion graphics, or building immersive game environments. Through a combination of studio-based learning, industry-aligned projects, mentoring, and access to a range of online resources, students develop both their artistic voice and technical fluency.Â
Creative problem-solving lies at the heart of the Animation Arts experience, whether you’re animating for film, designing motion graphics, or building immersive game environments. Through a combination of studio-based learning, industry-aligned projects, mentoring, and access to a range of online resources, students develop both their artistic voice and technical fluency.
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.Â
If animation is where you see your future, your journey starts early. We recommend selecting at least one animation-related subject in your first year to begin developing the skills that will carry into your specialisation.Â
This foundation leads into the Bachelor of Arts in Animation Arts, which centres around three key creative disciplines: 3D Animation, Motion Design, Game Design, Game Development, and Visual Effects.
3D Animation
3D Animation focuses on bringing characters, environments, and stories to life through advanced digital tools and techniques. Students explore modelling, texturing, lighting, and animation to craft fully realised visual experiences for film, games, and interactive media.
Potential careers include:
- 3D ModelerÂ
- Rigging ArtistÂ
- Character DesignerÂ
- Animation SupervisorÂ
- Environment ArtistÂ
- 3D Animator
- Visual Effects ArtistÂ
- 3D CompositorÂ
- Technical AnimatorÂ
- CG Generalist
Motion Design
Motion Design brings graphics and stories into motion. Students explore 2D animation, kinetic typography, transitions, and compositing techniques to create content that moves, literally and emotionally.
Potential careers include:
- Motion Graphics Designer
- 2D Animator
- Stop-Motion Animator
- Title Sequence Designer
- Broadcast Designer
- Motion UI Designer
- Visual Storyteller
- Commercial Animator
- Social Content Animator
- Animation Director
Game Design
Game Design is where interactivity meets storytelling. Students learn to design playable worlds, engaging mechanics, and immersive experiences that push the boundaries of imagination. This discipline blends creative concepting with technical development across gaming platforms and emerging technologies.
Potential careers include:
- Game Designer
- Game Developer
- Level Designer
- Game Artist
- Game Animator
- Systems Designer
- Technical Game Designer
- Narrative Designer
- VR/AR Developer
- UX Designer for Games
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 animation.