AFDA 2027-2028

AFDA 2027-2028 

 

AFDA currently enrols more than 2,700 students across its four campuses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha. With a thriving alumni network of over 7,000 graduates, AFDA continues to shape both the local and global entertainment industries. Its alumni have earned numerous prestigious awards and recognitions, reflecting the institution’s strong industry impact and creative excellence.

Founded in 1994 by Garth Holmes, Bata Passchier, and Deon Opperman, AFDA began modestly with just six students, a rented VCR, and a broken television set. Over the past three decades, it has grown into one of the world’s leading institutions for film, television, performance, creative writing, and entertainment business education. Today, AFDA employs more than 260 academic and administrative staff members and operates four fully equipped campuses.

AFDA is committed to continually upgrading and investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. This ongoing development ensures a stimulating and industry-relevant learning environment where creative talent can flourish and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s current and future entertainment landscape.

AFDA Equipment and Facilities

Each AFDA campus maintains parity in delivering programmes, in line with qualification standards and industry needs. Facilities include modern lecture venues, BCom sprint spaces, advanced post-production suites for editing, animation, and visual effects, as well as professional sound design, recording, and mixing studios. Campuses also feature fully equipped film and television production studios, costume and design workshops, and performance spaces.

AFDA maintains key partnerships with global industry leaders, including ARRI, Adobe, and Apple. These relationships ensure students have access to cutting-edge digital tools and evolving technologies that meet modern production demands.

As students progress through their undergraduate studies and specialise in particular disciplines, they gain increased access to high-end, industry-standard equipment. Each student receives a standard equipment kit aligned with their qualification, year level, and specialisation. Every year, AFDA students collectively produce hundreds of films, television projects, stage productions, music works, creative writing pieces, and business innovation ventures.

AFDA has produced many of South Africa’s leading filmmakers and actors. Notably, AFDA is the only South African institution to win a Student Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Foreign Student Film for “Elalini” in 2006. In 2020, an AFDA alumnus contributed as the colourist on the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. In 2021, AFDA staff, students, and alumni played a significant role in the Student Academy Award-winning film “Lakutshon’ IIanga.”

AFDA is also a proud full member of CILECT (The International Association of Film and Television Schools). Through CILECT membership, students and alumni gain opportunities to further their studies at more than 180 member film schools worldwide, including institutions such as UCLA, Tisch School of the Arts, La Fémis, London Film School, Chapman University, and Beijing Film Academy.

AFDA Learning Methods and Educational Philosophy

The AFDA Educational Promise

• AFDA equips students with conceptual, perceptual, and practical skills to create meaningful narratives rooted in human behaviour and cultural relevance.
• Students learn to communicate these narratives effectively through appropriate media and aesthetic forms while managing resources efficiently to produce and market high-quality productions.

AFDA Educational Objectives

AFDA’s objectives include:

• Developing students’ ability to generate relevant narrative concepts with meaningful societal impact.
• Understanding human behaviour and culture is central to storytelling.
• Mastering chosen mediums to deliver authentic and accurate narratives.
• Applying aesthetic principles to construct compelling narrative worlds.
• Planning and utilising resources efficiently to achieve economic sustainability and return on investment.

AFDA’s learning model incorporates diverse strategies such as tacit learning, collaborative learning, scaffold learning, approximation learning, and social learning. The institution also embraces Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences framework, recognising visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical intelligences.

Students are encouraged to explore their strengths and identify suitable career paths within the creative industries. AFDA uses an outcomes-based, hands-on educational system that mirrors real industry environments. Instead of traditional examinations, students are assessed through practical projects, research, collaboration, and the creation of entertainment content or innovative business ventures.

Programmes Offered At AFDA For 2027-2028

Higher Certificates (1 Year, Full-Time):

• Higher Certificate in Film, TV & Entertainment Production
• Higher Certificate in Performing Arts
• Higher Certificate in Radio & Podcasting

Undergraduate Degrees (3 Years, Full-Time):

• Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium
• Bachelor of Arts in Live Performance
• Bachelor of Creative Writing
• Bachelor of Commerce in Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Postgraduate Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Motion Picture Medium (1 year, full-time)
• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Live Performance (1 year, full-time)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation (1 year, full-time)
• Master of Fine Arts in Motion Picture Medium (2 years, part-time)

AFDA Entry Requirements For 2027-2028

Higher Certificate Programmes:

• Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with a Diploma or Higher Certificate pass.
• Those who do not meet this requirement may qualify by passing the AFDA Entrance Exam.

Degree Programmes (First Year Entry):

To enter a three-year degree programme, applicants must have a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s pass. Admission is also possible through:

• Successful completion of an AFDA Higher Certificate
• National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 with required subject percentages
• Technical N5 certificate with Maths and English
• Equivalent qualifications, such as the ACE School of Tomorrow
• Completion of the first year of an accredited NQF Level 6 or 7 programme
• HESA exemption for applicants aged 23 and older

Applicants without formal requirements may qualify through the AFDA Entrance Exam.

Postgraduate Entry:

• Honours and Postgraduate Diploma applicants must hold a relevant NQF Level 7 qualification (Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma).
• MFA applicants must meet postgraduate admission criteria in Motion Picture Medium.

AFDA Application Process

AFDA’s enrolment process is simple and fully online:

• Apply – Submit an application for your chosen programme and campus.
• Register – Pay the registration fee of R1,950 to secure your place.
• Enrol – Complete enrolment before classes begin.
• Pay Fees – Pay tuition fees as required.

Prospective students can also submit enquiries by providing their personal details, campus preference, programme interest, intended year of study, school information, and citizenship status.

Through its innovative education model, global partnerships, and strong industry track record, AFDA continues to nurture creative leaders who drive the future of entertainment, media, and the broader creative economy.

Campuses And Contact Details Of AFDA

Johannesburg:

• +27 (0) 11 482 8345
• jhbcampus@afda.co.za
• 41 Frost Ave
• Auckland Park 2092
• Johannesburg
• South Africa

Cape Town:

• +27 (0) 21 448 7600
• cptcampus@afda.co.za
• 18 Lower Scott Road
• Observatory 7925
• Cape Town
• South Africa

Durban:

• +27 (0) 31 569 2252
• dbncampus@afda.co.za
• 2A Highdale Road
• Glen Anil 4051
• Durban
• South Africa

Gqeberha:

• +27 (0) 41 582 1266
• pecampus@afda.co.za
• 28 Bird Street
• Central 6006
• Gqeberha
• South Africa

Hatfield:

• +27 (0)12 824 4420
• hatfieldcampus@afda.co.za
• 367 Hilda Street
• Hatfield
• Pretoria, 0028
• South Africa

The AFDA Online Application 2027–2028 offers aspiring creatives a pathway into South Africa’s thriving entertainment and media industries. With its industry-focused curriculum, modern facilities, international affiliations, and strong alumni success record, AFDA remains a top choice for students seeking a practical and innovative creative education. If you are passionate about storytelling, performance, innovation, or entrepreneurship in the creative economy, now is the time to apply. Begin your AFDA online application, pay the registration fee, complete enrolment, and take the first step toward building a successful career in the entertainment industry. Visit the Official Website Of AFDA For More Details.