Photography Schools and Programs in South Africa
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Port ElizabethPhotography Studies in South Africa
Canal Wall Mall in Cape Town, South AfricaSouth Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is a wonderful destination in which to study photography as part of a study abroad program. Located on the southern tip of the African continent, the beautiful country is very diverse and multi-ethnic, and home to over 51 million inhabitants. The country, which is divided into nine provinces, has over 1,700 miles of pristine coastline, and is bordered by the neighboring countries of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland to the east. South Africa has eleven official languages, the most widely spoken of which are English and Afrikaans, both of European origin, while the remaining 9 languages are of African origin; native African languages used informally by various groups throughout the country. The cities of Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town all share the distinction of being the capital of South Africa, representing the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the government, respectively, while Johannesburg is its largest city.
Photography Education in South Africa
The study of photography is very popular in South Africa, a country which plays host to scores of public and private schools that specialize in the discipline. One such institution is Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), located in the city of Port Elizabeth. NMMU is a public institution of higher learning that offers courses leading to degrees, diplomas and career certificates, such as the certificate offered to students after successfully completing the program in photography.Photography education is open to all students who possess a secondary school diploma or its equivalent. There are a number of department associated with the photography course, including the School of Music, Art and Design, Faculty of Arts, Photography, and Art and Design: Introductory Studies. In the first phase of the program (first semester), known as the prerequisite stage, all students are required to take four courses: Dip Photography, BTech Photography, MTech Photography and Introductory Studies. Once these courses are successfully completed, students can choose from a wide array of classes, including:
- Photography 101
- Applied Photography (I, II, III, IV)
- Graphic Design Photography (I,II, III, IV)
- Theory of Photography
- History of Photography
- Photography Fine Art (I, II, III, IV)
- And many more…
The photography course generally spans two years or four semesters for full-time students, and the certificate students earn at the conclusion of the program makes them eligible to pursue more advanced photography courses at the university or degree level.
Why Study Abroad in South Africa
The reasons for choosing the stunning country of South Africa for your study abroad experience are immeasurable. In addition to the excellent education you’ll receive from studying at one of its many fine colleges or universities, South Africa also offers:- Wonderful climate. South Africa features a tremendous and very pleasing climate, with the sun shining continuously throughout most of the year.
- Plenty of history. South Africa has a long and storied history. It is known as the cradle of humankind, and is home to Sterkfontein, one of the world’s most productive and important anthropological sites.
- Breathtaking scenery. From its quaint coastal villages to its miles of Safari plains to ultra-cosmopolitan cities, South Africa offers some of the greatest natural and manmade scenery in the world.
- Friendly People. The people of South Africa can only be described as warm and hospitable, a vibrant mix of African culture and Western sophistication.