Study in Cape Town – Creative Academy Shaping Future Innovators

Study in Cape Town at the Cape Town Creative Academy (CTCA) means joining a city where creativity thrives alongside global opportunity. Since 2012, CTCA has established itself as a leader in shaping Africa’s future creative industries, offering innovative education that blends artistic freedom with professional preparedness and social responsibility.

Why Choose to Study in Cape Town at CTCA

CTCA offers four fully accredited Bachelor’s degrees in Contemporary Art, Communication Design, Interaction Design, and Motion Design, alongside Honours programmes in Visual Communication and Contemporary Art. Every course is designed to meet the needs of South Africa’s dynamic creative sector while encouraging cross-disciplinary exploration.

All students start with a foundation semester to build creative confidence, technical fluency, and professional awareness. Courses such as Contextual Studies and Professional Practice help students understand how their work operates within wider cultural, social, and economic contexts. Electives expand learning across art, design, technology, and communication—making CTCA one of the best places to study in Cape Town.

Preparing Graduates for the Real World

To address gaps in traditional creative education, CTCA integrates work-integrated learning, industry mentorship, and real-world challenges into its programmes. Graduates leave not only with creative skills but also with financial literacy, contract negotiation ability, and intellectual property awareness—tools essential for sustaining careers in the creative economy.

A highlight of the curriculum is the final-year internship, which often leads to employment. Alumni now work across South Africa and beyond in publishing, UX/UI, animation, filmmaking, and contemporary art—proof that choosing to study in Cape Town prepares graduates for global success.

A World-Class Campus in a World-Class City

CTCA’s location in the V&A Waterfront precinct places students at the centre of one of Cape Town’s most vibrant cultural districts. With the Zeitz MOCAA right next door, students have direct access to world-class cultural resources. The campus offers modern studios, fully equipped workshops, 24-hour security, and close proximity to creative and commercial hubs—another reason why so many choose to study in Cape Town.

Proven Excellence

CTCA is consistently ranked among Africa’s leading creative institutions. At the 2024 Loeries Student Awards, it placed second overall, while three of its lecturers were named best on the continent. A CTCA student also won the Best Student Award, and the institution has taken home FM AdFocus “Student of the Year” for three consecutive years.

In 2024, a quarter of Contemporary Art graduates held solo exhibitions in Cape Town. Among them, BA graduate Guy Simpson won Best Booth at the 2025 RMB Latitudes Art Fair for his solo exhibition, Running Parallel.

Investing in Creative Potential

CTCA’s success is measured not just by awards or employment, but by the lasting creative impact of its graduates. With strong mentorship, industry integration, and socially engaged practice, the Academy nurtures thinkers, makers, and leaders who shape the world with imagination and intent.

For those seeking to study in Cape Town, the Cape Town Creative Academy offers a chance to grow in one of the world’s most inspiring cities.

This article has been adapted from the original piece published in This is Cape Town Magazine, Volume 5, specifically for the blog. To view the original article, click here or read the full magazine online at www.thisis.capetown/resources.