Top 10 Best Universities For Media Studies In South Africa (2023)

South Africa’s best Universities for Media Studies offer superior training programs that give students the edge to compete and win in Media, Communication, and Journalism. South African institutions have produced professionals with great careers in film, media production, journalism, and other aspects of communication both home and abroad, giving South Africa a pride of place among other countries.

Choosing what school to attend in the midst of so many great institutions can be a problem. However, this can be solved by listing out the institutions and knowing their particular specializations- fields where they excel over every other institution.

The following paragraphs are a list of the very best Institutions in South Africa to study Media.

Top 10 Best Universities For Media Studies In South Africa

1. University of Johannesburg

B.A. Film and Television Studies (Honours)

The University of Johannesburg offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television Studies at its Faculty of Humanities located in its campus in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

The University of Johannesburg is one of the largest Universities by student population. The institution has 4 campuses located in Johannesburg. This is one of the leading schools for Media and Communications in the country; students of this institution have gone on to have glorious careers in acting, media, and communications. 

2. University of Pretoria

B.A.  Drama and Film Studies (Hons)

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

The University of Pretoria, one of the best universities for media studies in South Africa, offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree at its campus in Pretoria. The University of Pretoria was established as a public university on March 4, 1908. 

This University is an excellent place to study Media-related courses, including Drama and Film Studies. Some of the members of faculty are former media practitioners, and they offer more than just class training, but also mentorship and motivation.

3. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Bachelor in Media Studies (Honours)

Location of School: University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 6019, South Africa

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University offers you the chance to earn a Bachelor in Media Studies (Honours).  This Bachelor’s degree program runs for 3 years and gives intense classroom training which will sharpen your communications skills, as well as give you what you need to compete in the world of multimedia production. Many graduates of this program have gone on to have stellar Television careers.

4. University of Cape Town

B.A.  Film and Media Production: Digital Media and Informatics Stream

Location of School: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

The University of Cape Town offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Media Production at its campus in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. 

The school is located in the commercial city of Cape Town, South Africa, making it a place to make great connections in film production as well as in journalism, copywriting, and advert production. Many students of this institution have gone on to become media professionals with enviable careers.

5. Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Bachelor’S Degree in Photography

Location of School: Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography at its school of Media and Communication. The University is a well-respected citadel of learning in almost all fields of endeavor; whether in science and technology or art and humanities.

The faculty is made up of experienced media professionals, and the school is a great place to make connections for the future. Many students of this school have gone on to create enviable careers for themselves in media and communications.

7. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

B.A.  Film and Television

Location of School: 37 Nind St, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2094, South Africa

The University of Witwatersrand offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film and Television at the University’s School of Media and Communication which is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This University has a rich history, dating as far back as 1922, and is the third oldest university in South Africa.  The University of Witwatersrand is known for quality education, and the training offered in the field of Film and Television is of very high quality. Many high-profile persons in South African Television have come from this school. 

8. University of Pretoria

MA Visual Studies

Location of School: Pretoria, South Africa.

The University of Pretoria offers you the chance to earn a Master of Arts degree at the Faculty of Humanities at the University. This Faculty provides a holistic education, as well as transferable skills, critical thinking, and communication, including the problem-solving skills that will help you excel in the field of Media and Communication.

The program runs for one year and is obtainable only through in-person attendance. Remember that due to the proximity of the school with the commercial centre of the country, this is the perfect place to make connections.

9. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

BA in Media, Communication & Culture

Location: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media, Communication & Culture. Nelson Mandela University is a formidable institution with a history dating back to 1882. The school was formerly known as the University of Port Elizabeth and has a varied mix of its three parent universities which were merged to form the Nelson Mandela University in January 2005.

This BA in Media, Communication & Culture program is designed to provide students with practical skills and theoretical knowledge in communication, concept development creation, as well as Media Production.

10. University of Cape Town

B.A. Film and Media Production – Screen Production

Location of School: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

The University of Cape Town offers you the opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Production (majoring in Screen Production). Due to the schools proximity to the booming commercial environment of Cape Town, this is the ultimate place to study Screen Production. You can then make a career in film production, advertisement, and so on.

11. University of Pretoria

MA Drama and Film Studies

Pretoria, South Africa

The University of Pretoria offers you the chance to polish your skills and broaden your horizon with an MA degree in Drama and Film Studies at its Faculty of Humanities. This program provides a holistic education, giving you transferable skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities that will set you on the right track for a stellar career in Media.

The MA program runs for 1 year, and training takes place on campus.

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Conclusion:

Generally speaking, the requirements to enter into the Universities for a Degree in Media are more or less the same. You need a minimum APS of 23 with mathematics or 24 with Mathematical Literacy is required to apply for the programme. You must show proficiency in the language of teaching and learning. This will then be followed by an interview following which you should be granted admission.