AAA School of Advertising

The AAA School of Advertising was established 30 years ago by the Association of Advertising Agencies (AAA)

The AAA School of Advertising was established 30 years ago by the Association of Advertising Agencies (AAA) to train young talent into the advertising industry and has been known as the official higher education institution for the South African Advertising Industry ever since. Since then, we have trained thousands of industry professionals.
OUR CREDENTIALS & ENDORSEMENTS
The AAA School of Advertising is the only institution in Africa to be accredited by the IAA (International Advertising Association). Presently, only 43 leading universities, colleges, and professional schools located throughout the world hold IAA course accreditation. It is the course, not the university, college or tertiary institution that is accredited. Each accredited course is individually assessed and scored through a rigorous, benchmarked IAA Education Council process. This ensures internationally recognised quality of formal content and teaching as required by the global communications industry for its students and future young professionals. Benefits of IAA Course Accreditation:
• International industry recognition of quality of course content
• Listing of institution and course on IAA Global website
• Exclusive educational resources for classroom use
• Potential interaction with global industry professionals
• The IAA Certificate of Completion awarded to approved graduates
• Profiling of accredited Academic Experts and their areas of relevant research
• Support and promote industry/academic engagement and collaboration

AAA offers quality higher education qualifications that are:
• Accredited by SAQA
• Recorded on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)
• Registered by the DHET as a Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI)
Our students’ creative work is rated by Austrian Lürzer’s Archive as one of the best in the world.

OUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The AAA adopts a holistic approach to teaching advertising, design and marketing, incorporating the challenges of new technology and media. Our ties to the industry ensure students are given live briefs to work on. Working in agency-simulated teams, allows them to integrate theory with practice and hit the ground running once they graduate.
We’re a creative hub for advertising and marketing talent. We believe in providing more than just knowledge, but skills and practical experience as well. Potential is turned into achievement by encouraging creative exploration, and by realising that innovation is integral to the learning process.
You gain real-world experience from day one. Our integrated approach to learning offer a dynamic blend of academic theory and practical application. You will be challenged to create campaigns for real brands, tackle a variety of business problems, refine your personal skills and develop your creative flair.
In an ever-changing world, we want you to be equipped for the future and become a world-class innovative thinker who will add value. Because we want you to be up to date with industry and digital developments, we ensure you receive the most relevant and up-to-date education.
Free Adobe CC 1-year licenses to creative students.

First time students who register for a full qualification will receive a FREE Proline Voyager Laptop [14 Inch Screen, Windows 10 and 2.4Ghz processor]
Each laptop comes complete with Microsoft Office 365 and a nationwide 1-year warranty.

WE WORK VERY CLOSLEY WITH THE ADVERTISING, MARKETING, DESIGN & DIGITAL INDUSTRY
We provide opportunities for our students to interact with, and market themselves to people in the industry who matter. Thus, long before graduating, AAA students can begin to shape their careers.
Internships
Full-time students complete a mandatory four-week internship at an agency, media or marketing company to gain real-life practical work experience. Many of our final year students receive employment offers even before they graduate.
Guest lecturers and judges
Industry experts are invited as guest lecturers to provide practical advice, up to date insights and best-practice learnings. In their final year, students work on campaigns that are judged by the industry to ensure they achieve industry standards in their work.
Industry awards
Students also have opportunities throughout their studies to showcase their talent to the industry. We invite the industry to our AAA showcase exhibitions, where they can view the student’s best work. By participating in industry awards, students have an additional platform to showcase their talent to the industry. Students with award nominations attend these prestigious awards evenings to receive their awards alongside the industry’s best.
Alumni
Many of the top talent in the industry are AAA Alumni. These marketers and creatives have made fantastic contributions to their various industries and agencies. One thing is for sure though – we are very proud of them!

Qualifications

MARKETING COMMUNICATION:
• BA Marketing Communication Full-time (NQF level 7)
o Duration 3 years
If you are a born communicator with strong interpersonal skills, this degree will bring out the Brand, Media or Digital Manager in you. You will learn the fundamentals of marketing from re-search and branding to client communication. You will be equipped to be the brain child behind the marketing of a brand, where it is placed, what messages are conveyed and so much more. You ensure the brand increases its ROI, profitability, customer loyalty and always stays ahead of its competitors. You manage the budgets and analyse the results of your marketing efforts. The dynamics of the marketing and advertising planning process in theory are provided by means of sound strategic thinking and hands-on application. Practical brand/organisational experiences are integrated for a deeper industry understanding. During the final year, students are challenged to change their entrenched thought processes. This consists of a number of real-life campaigns where strategy development, research, analytical and lateral thinking, and creative executions are experienced within a simulated advertising agency environment.

• BA Marketing Communication Part- time (NQF level 7)
o Duration 4 years
The part-time version of this programme is available for the working professional and is spread over 4 years. The offering of this programme is subject to a minimum number of students being registered. Students may also take individual modules as a short learning programme, and students must also apply to the Registrar to enrol in this manner.

• Diploma in Marketing Communication (NQF level 6)
o Duration 3 years
This programme is designed for people who want to pursue a career in the marketing and communications industry and enter the industry being work-ready. It is a knowledge based skills development programme of relevance to the industry, aimed at achieving the required competency for further workplace training or academic advancement. In addition to providing fundamental discipline-specific knowledge, this programme will contribute to further developing life and employment skills, which can ensure that the students are ‘work ready’ and easily employable.

• Higher Certificate in Marketing Communication (NQF level 5)
o Duration 1 year
This programme is aimed at individuals who would like to enter the marketing and communications industry, and be able to perform basic marketing and communication functions. In addition to providing fundamental discipline-specific knowledge, this programme will contribute to student life and employment skills, which can make up for the deficiencies of the schooling system.

CREATIVE BRAND COMMUNICATION:
• BA Creative Brand Communication Full-time (NQF level 7)
o Duration 3 years
This degree will shape your creative mind. You’ll learn how to apply different techniques and methods to a problem in order to come up with a big idea and ultimately, a winning creative solution. Whether you are an Art Director, a Graphic Designer or a Copywriter, learning how to think conceptually and taking that thought through to an execution – be it in pictures, symbols or words – is where we’ll build the skills you need to put you ahead of the pack and make sure you’re industry-ready. As a creative, your job is to communicate ideas, feelings and stories and if your work makes people stop and think, shed a tear or laugh out loud, you’ve cracked it.

• Diploma in Visual Communication (NQF level 6)
o Duration 3 years
This programme is designed for people who want to pursue an applied, practice & career-oriented qualification, which will enable them to ‘hit the road running’ when they enter the job market.In addition to having a strong practical component integrated into most theoretical modules, the students will be mentored by both their lecturers as well as industry gurus who provide their services regularly. Moreover, the intensive Work Based Learning programme in 3rd year is designed so that students get real life assignments and are exposed to the real world, rather than a simulated environment. Therefore, upon completion of the programme, diploma students are highly ‘work-ready’ and most will be offered permanent employment, as is the case presently with our degree graduates.

• Higher Certificate in Visual Communication (NQF level 5)
o Duration 1 year
Visual communication is one of the most important ways that people communicate and share information. This programme is aimed at individuals who would like to enter the marketing and communications industry, and be employed in a small sized design or advertising agency, perform basic design and art direction functions. In addition to providing fundamental discipline-specific knowledge, this programme will contribute to further developing life and employment skills, which can make up for the deficiencies of the school system.