Higher Certificates
Open Window offers seven Higher Certificate programmes (NQF Level 5) tailored for aspiring creatives:
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
- Choose your Higher Certificate specialisation
- Complete your HC programme over one year
- 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
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
- Start your Higher Certificate in July
- Complete your HC subjects while beginning selected first-year degree subjects
- Transition directly into Degree Year 2
- 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
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
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.