Minimum requirements for admission

•  National Senior Certificate (NSC) with bachelor’s degree exemption or equivalent qualification

•  An Admission Point Score (APS), minimum 26-29 (excluding Life Orientation)

•  A minimum of 50% for English language (home or first additional)

•  Art as a school subject is NOT a requirement
 

Step 1 of 4: Application at UP

Applications for the year 2025 open on 1 April 2025.  Applications are online only. The closing date for UP applications for BA Fine Art Extended Programme is 30 JUNE 2025.
 

Step 2 of 4: UP competency test

Drawing and Motivational Letter Submission

You are required to submit:

•  A motivational letter. This letter should be typed in a Word document format and state information about yourself, achievements, personal interests, and motivation for study, not exceeding 500 words. It must include your name. This must be emailed to the Fine Art review panel at the email address: [email protected] before 30 June.

• A Fine Arts Extended Programme Questionnaire must be filled out. This questionnaire can be found online on the Fine Arts Extended Programme page. This must be emailed to the Fine Art review panel at the email address:  [email protected] before 30 June

The deadline for submission is 30 JUNE 2025.

Should you not receive a reply via email by 11 JULY 2025, you can assume that you do not qualify for Step 3, the final process. 
 

Step 3 of 4: Book an appointment for an interview and review test

You must book a provisional appointment for your interview, drawing and concept test. Interviews and reviews will take place between 28 July - 2 August 2025. Please phone (012) 420-2353 to make an appointment for one of these dates (once you have completed Step 2). Kindly note that bookings are done on a first come, first serve basis, with a limited number of interview slots available per day. Thus, if you do not book in time, you risk the chance of losing an opportunity to continue with the review process (even if you successfully meet the requirements of the merit selection process). At the latest, a booking can be made 24 hours before the requested interview date. No walk-in interviews without a booking will be accepted. 

Step 4 of 4: In-person interview and test

The interview, drawing test and conceptualisation test with Fine Art staff members will take place in person at the Visual Arts Building on the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus.

• The conceptualisation test requires you to interpret and compare two images of two artworks that will be presented to you in person on campus. You will interpret and compare the visual images and communicate your ideas in written form no longer than 500 words.

•  A drawing. The drawing will be an original still life object drawn from observation. This drawing will be done in the form of a drawing test on campus.

• Please note that you have the option to bring a photograph or a portfolio of artworks that best demonstrate your area of practice (painting, sculpture, ceramics or installations) to your interview. This is an option and not a requirement.
 

The Fine Arts Department also has a 4 year Fine Arts degree for candidates with an APS of 30 or higher. Please follow the link to find out if you meet the minimum requirements to apply for that programme.

 https://www.up.ac.za/visual-arts/article/20291/fine-arts-and-information-designapplication-and-selection-procedure