Turn your creative ambition into a successful career: study at AFDA

As Africa’s leading Oscar-winning tertiary institution, it’s no surpriseAFDAis known as the “No.1 School for the Creative Economy”. It offers 11 fully accredited and internationally recognised programmes supporting 24 disciplines. These include higher certificates, undergraduate degrees, and postgraduate degrees in film, TV and entertainment production, live performance, creative writing, radio and podcasting, and business innovation.

AFDA prides itself not only on empowering students to find their niche and excel within it, but on equipping them with the practical skills, industry insight and entrepreneurial mindset essential to thrive in the rapidly evolving global creative sector. In an era where creative industries are expanding at a rapid pace, AFDA’s programmes are intentionally designed to be future-oriented, aligning education with real-world industry needs. The curriculum focuses on outcomes-based, project-led learning that mirrors today’s working environment, developing technical expertise and critical competencies like creative problem-solving, innovation, collaboration and digital fluency.

These skills are indispensable in the 21st-century creative economy — the very environment graduates will enter and help shape, saysAFDACEO Diaan Lawrenson. “Our focus remains on graduating industry-ready, future-focused students who contribute meaningfully to nation-building. We work hand in hand with industry and our alumni to stay at the forefront of what our graduates need in order to succeed.” “One of AFDA’s founding pillars is its connection to the creative economy,” says Lawrenson.

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“Our entire learning faculty consists of industry professionals who are actively encouraged to maintain close ties with the creative sector through ongoing professional practice. This ensures that our teaching remains relevant, current, and grounded in reality.” Our entire learning faculty consists of industry professionals … This ensures that our teaching remains relevant, current, and grounded in reality The institution also engages a wide range of industry professionals through masterclasses, teaching, project supervision, and examination panels.

Depending on the programme and year level, it offers internships providing direct pathways into the creative sector. AFDA’s membership in CILECT — the International Association of Film and Television Schools — further strengthens this industry link, offering students global opportunities and exposure by connecting them with institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles; La Fémis; and Columbia University.

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