Many students have heard most times from other students across different campuses in Nigeria undervaluing the importance of art courses, and this is especially due to the harsh labor market that does not favor graduates from the art field, but the narrative is changing these days, most especially due to the shift in the creative economy that has produced wealth for many young Nigerians.
Nigeria’s creative economy is booming. From Nollywood to skit making, the industry is experiencing a massive surge in the number of people that are employed in the field, and they are making it big, all thanks to the art field.
Art courses are not comprised of a few courses but are, however, spread through many courses that do not touch only the media space but other art fields. Art courses are offered in different aspects, from certificate courses to postgraduate courses.
Whether you are a Nigerian student aiming to study art courses in Nigerian universities or anywhere across the world, then this article is for you. Get to understand different courses and their admission requirements in Nigeria and across the globe.
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Certificate Art Courses List
Certificate art courses are courses that award certificates after the completion of the duration of study; students can easily learn this for hand skill, and it is usually for 3-6 months and 1 year at maximum. These forms of courses are best recommended for students who intend to study for a degree and want to have some skills. Below is the Certificate Art Courses list:
● Graphic Design
Graphic design is a creative art design course that is focused on visual communication using software like Canva, Microsoft, and other software that is available on both mobile phones and computers. Graphic design courses study logo design, branding, and others.
● Photography
Photography is an art course that teaches all the principles of taking pictures for personal or industrial use.
● Fashion Design
An art course that entails designing clothes and coming up with a design that pertains to the clothing industry and trends. Fashion design courses cover studies like garment construction, textile studies, fashion marketing, and a lot more.
● Makeup Artist
Makeup Artist is a skill-based art course that teaches all the principles and methods of beautifying bodies and materials for the purpose of beautification and also to change the physical structure of a human being or material.
● Animation
Animation is an art course that turns an image into a living art using software on a computer system in order to turn this object into a walking being. Animation is classified into 3D and 2D and can be used to convey information or to make videos.
● Video Editing
A video editing course is an art course that introduces students to the principle that pertains to making sure that a video is well structured and perfect for watching using software on a phone or on a computer.
Undergraduate Art Courses list
● English and Literary Studies
The English and Literary Studies course is an art course that is focused on language understanding, literature, and critical writing when enhancing and improving students’ abilities in the aspect of the English language.
The English and Literary Studies course covers African literature, English literature, creative writing, and linguistics basics. The English and Literary Studies course is best for students who love reading novels, analyzing stories, and writing language.
● History & International Studies
History and International Studies is an art course that studies past events and also international relations.
Depending on the country where the course is being taught, there might be differences in history studies when it has to do with national history, but in the aspect of Nigerian history and international studies, the course covers topics and fields like Nigerian history, African history, diplomacy, and international relations.
● Linguistics
A linguistics course is a course that deals with the scientific study of languages and tongues across communities and nations. The linguistics course is focused on how a certain language is developed and also how the language is evolving or went into extinction.
Linguistics courses study phonetics, which is the main heading of the course, syntax,
semantics and Nigerian languages.
Linguistics is an important course in the art field due to its demand in the artificial intelligence sector for language learning models.
● Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of human reasoning, ethics, and also questions regarding human existence and creation.
Philosophy is the best course if you want to stay in the academic field, as it has to do with academics rather than practical matters.
As a philosophy student, you will get to study logic, ethics, political philosophy, and metaphysics.
● Religious Studies
Religious Studies is an art course that has to do with the study of religious belief, whether it is traditional or one of the two most popular religions, Christianity and Islam.
It is considered the best course for any students who might want to serve as a religious leader in the future.
Religious studies courses include Christian religious studies, Islam, Religious studies and others.
● Foreign Languages
A foreign language course is an art course that deals with the study of foreign languages.
A foreign language course is similar to the study of linguistics, but both have differences; linguistics studies the structure of languages, while foreign languages are concerned with the speaking of the language.
● Fine & Applied Arts
The Fine & Applied Arts Course is an art course that focuses on visual creativity and practical art skills.
The Fine & Applied Arts course is an art course that is best suitable for someone with an art skill and passion, as the course is more about practical art than theory.
Fine & Applied Arts courses study drawing and painting, sculpture, ceramics, textile design, graphic design, and art history.
● Theatre Arts / Performing Arts
Theatre Arts, mostly known as Performing Arts across many Nigerian universities, is an art course that focuses on drama, acting, and stage performance.
Performing Arts courses study acting, scriptwriting, directing, stage management, and production.
No doubt performing art can be a very tedious course that will involve a series of continuous practices and can wear a student down if you don’t have any passion for the course.
● Law
Law is mostly offered under the faculty of law in most Nigerian universities but can still be considered an art course based on the feature it embodies.
A law course is a course that involves the study of rules, regulations, and legal systems that govern a society.
Law courses study constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, the law of torts, commercial law, property law, jurisprudence, and other forms of law.
Admission Requirements for Art Courses in Nigeria
Admission requirements to study an art course in Nigeria are virtually the same across Nigeria for JAMB requirements.
The JAMB UTME requirement is English Language, Literature in English,Government, CRS, IRS, and any other social science subject like economics
O-level requirements include a minimum of 5 credit passes in subjects like English Language, Literature in English, Government, or any other social science subject like Economics in WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB.
Career Opportunities for Art Students in Nigeria
Studying art courses in Nigeria or any other country will open up career opportunities, including
● Graphic Designer
● Broadcaster
● Animator
● Fashion Designer
● Content Creator
● Art Director
● Lecturer
● Scriptwriter
● Film Director
● Publisher
● Writer
● Historian
● Researcher
● Translator
● Language Specialist
● Lawyer
● Brand Designer
● UI Designer
● Video Editor
Salary Expectation in Nigeria for Art Course Graduates
● Entry-level media Job salaries can range from N80,000 to N200,000.
● A well-established graphic designer can earn N100,000-N300,000 monthly.
● Freelancer salaries differ, but they can earn at least N400,000 monthly.
Conclusion
For choosing an art course, identify your strengths and weaknesses in choosing the course you want to study, check JAMB combinations, as this factor can hinder your admission for a year if you don’t choose the correct JAMB combination, research universities you wish to study carefully, and develop practical skills as you study the degree.
Adepoju Stephen is a lover of nature and a seasoned Education writer for the past 4 years. His love for education has made him to write continuous educational guide for all students on all levels in order to increase their grade or prepare them for admission. Adepoju Stephen is also a Christain