Key facts
- Status
- Applications open
- Provider
- Friends of Design
- Field of study
- Interactive Multimedia
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The old Friends of Design website leads to the Academy of Digital Arts, which says 2027 applications are open for its courses.
VerifiedFriends of Design, the Cape Town digital arts school founded in 2006, now operates as the Academy of Digital Arts. Its bursaries, including the full-tuition awards once advertised under the Friends of Design name, are now offered through the academy.
About the bursary today
- Offered by the Academy of Digital Arts in Cape Town, formerly Friends of Design.
- Company-sponsored bursaries for full-time design courses.
- A Fast Track bursary programme of three months in advertising or film.
Who should apply
- South Africans who have completed Matric.
- A real passion for digital design, web, games, advertising or film.
- Students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who have received preference in past rounds.
How to apply
- Visit the Academy of Digital Arts website at ada.ac.za and open its financing options and Fast Track pages.
- Apply for your chosen course and ask the academy which bursaries are open for 2027.
- Read our full Academy of Digital Arts bursary guide for requirements.
Closing date
Set per bursary and intake by the Academy of Digital Arts.
Contact details
- Academy of Digital Arts: ada.ac.za
Design students should also see our Academy of Digital Arts bursary page and our graphic design and game graphics bursaries list.
FAQs
1. Does Friends of Design still exist? +
It now operates as the Academy of Digital Arts, a design school in Cape Town. The old friendsofdesign.net address leads to the academy's website, ada.ac.za.
2. Is there a bursary for 2027? +
The academy's website says 2027 applications are open for its courses. Funding comes through company-sponsored bursaries and the Fast Track bursary programme, so check the financing options on ada.ac.za and ask the academy which bursaries are available for 2027.
3. What courses does the academy offer? +
Full-time courses in graphic design, web design and development, game and interactive media, and concept art, plus short courses and a three-month Fast Track programme in advertising or film.
4. What was the Friends of Design bursary? +
A full-tuition bursary for matriculants studying one of the school's Higher Certificates, with preference for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. What is the Fast Track programme? +
A three-month, beginner-friendly course in advertising or film content creation using Adobe software, working towards an Adobe Certified Professional qualification. Past rounds were bursary-funded and paid a stipend.
6. Where is the full guide? +
See our Academy of Digital Arts bursary page, which covers the academy's current funding in detail.
Update note (checked September 2026): the old Friends of Design website leads to the Academy of Digital Arts, which says 2027 applications are open for its courses. Bursary places depend on company sponsorship and the Fast Track programme, so check the financing options on the academy’s own website and see our full guide to the Academy of Digital Arts bursary.
Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.
Apply on the provider’s website