Higher Certificates

Open Window offers seven Higher Certificate programmes (NQF Level 5) tailored for aspiring creatives:

Higher Certificate in 3D Animation: Modelling & Design

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in
Graphic Design

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in Photography & Videography

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in User Interface Design

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in Digital Film Production

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in Creative Writing

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate in Web Development

NQF Level 5

Higher Certificate Pathways

Two ways to start your creative journey

OPTION 1 START IN JANUARY

FULL-YEAR COHORT

(HIGHER CERTIFICATE ONLY)

Students may later apply to continue into degree studies.

How it works

  1. Choose your Higher Certificate specialisation
  2. Complete your HC programme over one year
  3. Graduate with a Higher Certificate qualification

Best for students who:

  • Want to focus on foundational creative skills
  • Prefer a standalone qualification
  • Want flexibility before deciding on further studies
Your Full-Year Pathway
Virtually-mediated Hybrid (rotational campus/virtual-mediation) Campus-mediated Self-study
Rules of Combination
FULL-YEAR YEAR 1
All the Higher Certificates follow this basic course pathway. All subjects listed in this programme are compulsory. Students must complete all 120 credits to be successful in the programme.
Mid-Year
Orientation
Academic
Practice 100
JanuaryJune
JulyDecember
Semester 1
Semester 2
Drawing & Narrative 100
HC Production Essentials
HC Process Tools
HC Core Focus
HC Applied/Sub Focus

*DN can take place in Semester 1 OR 2

Higher Certificate Programme

Higher Certificate in 3D Animation: Modelling & Design
Higher Certificate in Photography & Videography
Higher Certificate in User Interface Design
Higher Certificate in Digital Film Production
Higher Certificate in Graphic Design
Higher Certificate in Creative Writing

Core Focus Subjects

  • 3D Production Theory
  • 3D Software Essentials
  • 3D Animation: Modelling & Design
  • 3D Animation: Texturing & Post-production
  • Photography & Videography Production Theory
  • Photography & Videography Process Tools
  • Photography Practice
  • Videography Practice for Photographers
  • UID Production Essentials
  • UID Process Tools
  • User Interface Design
  • Applied Digital Techniques
  • Film Conventions
  • Film Software
  • Digital Film Production
  • Production Principles
  • Graphic Design Production Essentials
  • Graphic Design Process Tools
  • Graphic Design
  • Graphic Design Applied
  • Narrative Theory
  • Literature Appreciation
  • Narrative Techniques
  • The Short Story
OPTION 2 START IN JULY

MID-YEAR COHORT

(HIGHER CERTIFICATE /DEGREE)

One decision. Two qualifications. 3.5 years.

How it works

  1. Start your Higher Certificate in July
  2. Complete your HC subjects while beginning selected first-year degree subjects
  3. Transition directly into Degree Year 2
  4. Graduate with:
    A Higher Certificate & A Bachelor’s Degree

Best for students who:

  • Want to accelerate into a degree
  • Already know they want to continue studying further
  • Want a structured pathway into specialised creative studies
Your Mid-Year Pathway
Virtually-mediated Hybrid (rotational campus/virtual-mediation) Campus-mediated Self-study
Rules of Combination
MID-YEAR YEAR 1
Begin your HC programme of choice & complete the linked subject.
Mid-Year
Orientation
Academic
Practice 100
JulyDecember
Semester 2
Drawing & Narrative 100
2026 Subject
HC Production Essentials
HC Process Tools

Higher Certificate
Programme

+ Subject
HC in 3D Animation: Modelling & Design Motion Design 100
HC in User Interface Design Industrial Product Design 100
HC in Graphic Design User Experience Design 100
HC in Digital Film Production Sound Design 100

*All 2026 subjects will be campus-mediated

MID-YEAR YEAR 2
Continue your HC & choose 1 Gold Block subject & 1 Silver Block subject.
JanuaryJune
JulyDecember
Semester 1
Semester 2
Media Perspectives 110
Media Perspectives 120
Gold Block Subject Choice
Silver Block Subject Choice
HC Production Essentials
HC Core Focus
HC Applied/Sub Focus

Gold Block Subject Choices

Silver Block Subject Choices

  • 3D Animation 100
  • Motion Design 100
  • Game Design 100
  • 3D Animation 100
  • Motion Design 100
  • Film & TV 100
  • Screen Acting 100
  • Screenwriting 100
  • Production Design 100
  • Sound Design 100
  • User Experience Design 100
  • Interactive Development 100
  • User Experience Design 100
  • Industrial Product Design 100
  • Photography 100
  • Illustration 100
  • Communication Design 100
  • Illustration 100
MID-YEAR YEAR 3
Pathway choice - From Degree second year level, students can select to follow either a single or double major pathway.
JanuaryJune
JulyDecember
Semester 1
Semester 2
Research Foundation 200
Visual Culture / Moving Image Theory 200
Second Year Selected Pathway
OPTION 1

DOUBLE MAJOR PATHWAY

MAJOR 1+MAJOR 2
OPTION 2

SINGLE MAJOR PATHWAY

MAJOR 1+Focus
Area 1
+Focus
Area 2

Major Options

  • Communication Design
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • User Experience Design
  • Interactive Development
  • Industrial Product Design
  • Film & Television
  • Screen Acting
  • Production Design
  • Screenwriting
  • Sound Design
  • 3D Animation
  • Game Design
  • Motion Design
  • Visual Effects
  • Game Development

Focus Area Options

  • 2D Animation 200/300
  • Game Development 200/300
  • VFX 200/300
  • Cinematography 200/300
  • Creative Writing 200/300
  • Interactive Audio 200/300
  • Editing 300
  • Visual Arts 200/300
  • Creative Computing 200/300
  • Marketing 200
  • Stop Motion 300
  • Creative Administration 300
  • Entrepreneurship 300
MID-YEAR YEAR 4
Pathway choice - Students can continue with their single major pathway. Students who selected a double major pathway in second year can opt to do a single major pathway in third year.
JanuaryJune
JulyDecember
Semester 1
Semester 2
Experiential Learning
Professional Practice 310
Visual Culture / Moving Image Theory 300
Third Year Selected Pathway

*For the EL component, students must gain workplace experience

Student Work Showcase

Explore our exceptional undergraduate students’ work in design, film, animation, and digital arts.

Matthew Van De Merwe
Yolande Opperman
Zane Mancer
Divan Labuschagne
Monique Germishuizen
Carlo Kuyper
Claire Donnelly
Reandri Visser
Amor Armstrong
Anya Klopper
Vicki Venter
Mabeka Katleho
Lehakwe Nhlapo
Chinouk Domann
Sebastian Van Den Brink
Denise van Deventer
Keelan Smillie
Mia Burwise
Kayla Posthumus
Tertius Jonker
Zani van den Bosch
Solomon Jele
Marli Correia
Kyle Pharoah
Divan Labuschagne
Rudi Naude
Marnus Koekemoer
Christopher Fourie
Berno van der Lith
Zanozuko Ledwaba
Divan Labuschagne
Rudi Naude
Marnus Koekemoer
Christopher Fourie
Berno van der Lith
Zanozuko Ledwaba
Divan Labuschagne
Rudi Naude
Marnus Koekemoer
Christopher Fourie
Berno van der Lith
Zanozuko Ledwaba
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