At Apex, Game Design courses can be taken in two specialist degree programmes: For students interested in creative production there is the Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts, which is hosted in the Wits School of Arts. Catering for aspirant developers is a degree hosted in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, the Bachelor of Engineering Science in Digital Art – BEngSc (Digital Art).

The BEngSc (Digital Arts) is intended to produce graduates that can become specialist practitioners in the technological arena of software development within a game context. You will attend half of your courses in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering. Here you will do Physics, Maths, Electric Circuits, Software Development, and Electromagnetic Systems with Game Design as the core subject.

This degree aims to give you an introduction to both the hardware and software environments. A key focus of the course is the development of a portfolio of both analogue and digital games with which you can approach industry. For example, one of the more interesting avenues of exploration within the course entails the development and prototyping of alternative game controllers, using the knowledge you’ve garnered from circuitry as well as your programming skills to build alternative ways to interact with games, further enhancing the nature of play and exploration.

On completion of the degree you may wish to further your studies by pursuing an Honours in Digital Arts or by entering into the 3rd year of a professional (Electrical) or (Information Engineering) degree. or into the Honours course in Digital Arts.

• Animation
• Game Design
• Software Engineer
• Software Development

First-year

• Engineering Analysis and Design IA AND IB
• Engineering Mathematics IA AND IB
• Engineering Physics IA AND IB
• Applied Physics
• Key Concepts in Game Design IA AND IB

Second-year

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Software Development I
• Microprocessors
• Electronics I
• Electric Circuits
• Mathematics II
• Digital Art Design Project
• Introduction to Game Creation IIA AND IIB

Third-year

• Electrical and Magnetic Systems
• Signals and Systems I
• Professional Practice and Software Development
• Introduction to the World Wide Web as Creative Medium III
• Game Design IIIA AND Game Design IIB

English Home Language OR First Additional Language
Level 5

Mathematics
Level 5

Physical Sciences
Level 5

Wait-listing

Generally, applicants who achieve Level 6 in English, Mathematics, and Physical Science stand a greater chance of being accepted.

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees Office website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.