Academy of Digital ArtsADA

The Academy of Digital Arts, known as ADA, is a private higher education institution in Cape Town's city centre that teaches digital design and creative technology. It was founded in 2006, opened its doors in 2007, and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution. Its Higher Certificates are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority at NQF Level 5, while the three-year Bachelor of Arts in Concept Art is pitched at NQF Level 7.

ADA teaches in person at its single campus on Bree Street and also by distance. Students choose on-campus or remote attendance when they apply, join the same live class either way, and may move between the two modes later.

Full-time study consists of one-year Higher Certificates in Graphic Design, Product Design (UX/UI), Game and Interactive Media Development and Concept Art, plus the Bachelor of Arts in Concept Art. Outside the full-time route, ADA runs evening short courses in Adobe software, user experience and interface design, web development, film editing and 3D modelling, taught as live online classes, with Concept Art also offered at the studio. It also runs three-month Fast Track courses in advertising and film, and custom corporate training delivered at ADA, at a client's premises or online. Short courses end in a certificate of completion.

Full-time programmes start once a year, in February. Applications are made online: the applicant creates a profile, completes the application form and uploads the documents that the chosen course asks for. For the Higher Certificates, applicants need a South African matric or an equivalent qualification accepted by SAQA, and some courses also ask for a portfolio or a small creative task. The Bachelor of Arts requires a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor's Pass, a minimum achievement level in four subjects excluding Life Orientation, a creative portfolio and a motivational letter.

Tuition is paid per academic year. Students can pay in full, in two instalments or through a monthly debit order, with discounts for paying early or in full and a deposit that secures a place. Students can also be matched with student finance providers through Student Hero, a free matching service. Industry-funded bursaries and a portfolio-based scholarship also exist. Fees are published per programme on the institution's own site.