City Varsity

What City Varsity does

CityVarsity (Pty) Ltd is a South African private higher education institution specialising in creative arts and media studies, founded in 1996 and incorporated in 1998. It is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training under the Higher Education Act No. 101 of 1997 (Registration Number: 2001/HE07/004), with all programmes accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). The institution operates across four academic departments — Visual Communication, Professional Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, and Sound & Media Technology — and offers qualifications at NQF Levels 5 through 7, including degrees (e.g., Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology, 370 credits), diplomas (e.g., Diploma in Animation, 360 credits), higher certificates, elective specialisations and short learning programmes. Delivery is full-time on-campus across two sites (Cape Town and Johannesburg) plus online via cityvarsityonline.co.za, with a student portal (my.cityvarsity.co.za) and mobile application handling administrative and learning functions. The institution describes an affiliation with the London College of International Business Studies and a faculty roster of industry-expert lecturers.

The company generates revenue primarily through tuition fees for its degree, diploma and certificate programmes, structured as either full settlement (with discount) or monthly instalment plans, with registration deposits, notes/books and external exam fees as ancillary charges. Secondary revenue comes from short learning programmes (flexible, industry-focused short courses marketed for skill enhancement and side-hustle use) and add-on elective modules (e.g., Animation 3D, Live Sound). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; student discounts of 5-15% are offered through a roster of marketing partners including Varsity Vibe, Planet Fitness, Standard Bank, Mastercard, EduPass, Hostafrica and The Cross Trainer, and a R250 administration fee is levied on failed debit orders.

CityVarsity serves three identified customer segments: school leavers and aspiring creatives (primary, NQF-credential-seeking), career changers and working professionals (part-time or short learning), and international students (requiring study permits and SAQA verification). Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer through campus walk-in enrolment and the Express Application portal (apply.cityvarsity.co.za), supplemented by paid acquisition on Google, Facebook and Instagram Ads, organic social presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok, the EduPass career-aptitude-test referral channel, and on-campus showcase events. No revenue, student count, headcount growth or funding history is disclosed in the source material.

Name

City Varsity

Legal name

CityVarsity (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://cityvarsity.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CityVarsity is a South African private higher education institution offering accredited creative arts and media programmes — degrees, diplomas, certificates and short learning courses — across two campuses in Cape Town and Johannesburg with online delivery and rewards-partner enrolment marketing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Creative Arts and Media)

akta.pro primary industry

Photography & Videography Arts Programs (EDAMAAAC)

Keywords

• Creative arts education
• Higher education programmes
• Media studies courses
• Visual communication degrees
• Multimedia design diplomas

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates: Full-time and part-time programmes in Visual Communication, Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, and Sound & Media Technology. Revenue generated through registration fees, deposits, course fees (full settlement or instalment plans), and additional charges for notes, books, and external examination fees.
2. Short Learning Programmes: Flexible short learning programmes for skill enhancement, side-hustles, and industry-relevant training delivered on campus.
3. Elective Specialisations: Additional elective modules such as Animation 3D and Live Sound that students can take as part of their diploma or degree programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CityVarsity is a private higher education institution delivering accredited creative arts and media programmes through four academic departments: Visual Communication, Professional Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, and Sound & Media Technology. Its core sellable offerings are degrees, diplomas, higher certificates, short learning programmes, and elective specialisations, available full-time on campus in Cape Town and Johannesburg or online via CV Online.

Product overview

CityVarsity is a private higher education institution offering a portfolio of creative arts and media programmes through four academic departments: Visual Communication, Professional Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, and Sound & Media Technology. The product offering consists of Degree programmes (NQF Level 7), Diploma programmes (NQF Level 6), Certificate programmes, and Short Learning Programmes. Students can pursue qualifications through Full-Time or Online delivery modes, with Elective specialisations such as Animation 3D and Live Sound available within certain programmes. The institution also provides a Student Rewards Programme offering discounts from partner brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Degree Programmes Full-time higher education degree programmes at NQF Level 7 across the four academic departments (Visual Communication, Acting for Camera, Multimedia Design & Production, Sound & Media Technology), providing qualification pathways for students pursuing careers in the creative and entertainment industries.
• Diploma Programmes Diploma programmes at NQF Level 6 providing vocational creative arts and media qualifications with specialisation electives such as Animation 3D, designed for students seeking employment-ready creative skills.
• Higher Certificate Programmes Higher Certificate programmes providing comprehensive introductory pathways into creative arts vocations for both newcomers and professionals seeking foundational qualifications.
• Short Learning Programmes Flexible, industry-focused short courses designed for skill development, side-hustle creation, and career enhancement in creative fields, available on campus.
• Elective Specialisations Specialisation elective modules such as Animation 3D and Live Sound that students can take as part of their diploma or degree programmes to gain focused expertise.
• Online Programmes (CV Online) Distance learning programmes delivered through the CV Online platform at cityvarsityonline.co.za, with on-campus assessment centres, enabling remote access to CityVarsity qualifications.
• Full-Time Programmes Traditional hands-on, full-time learning programmes delivered on campus by industry-expert lecturers for students entering the entertainment and creative arts industry.
• Bachelor of Arts in Sound and Music Technology (with specialisation in Live Sound) Three-year degree (NQF Level 7, 370 credits, SAQA ID: 111823) covering post-production, band recording, and music production, with an elective in Live Sound, preparing students for sound, music, and live event careers.
• Diploma in Animation (with specialisation in Animation 3D) Diploma programme (NQF Level 6, 360 credits) with an elective in Animation 3D, covering 2D visual effects, 3D motion graphics, stop frame, gaming, and visual effects for careers in animation and VFX.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• London College of International Business StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCityVarsity has an affiliation with the prestigious London College of International Business Studies, enhancing the international recognition of its qualifications and providing students with access to globally benchmarked education standards.
• Varsity VibeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSA's first Student Discount App offering exclusive deals from brands like Takealot, Vida e Caffè, Dis-Chem, Superbalist. Freemium users receive 5% discount on study fees; Premium users receive 10% discount.
• Planet FitnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFitness partner offering students R199 for first two months and R399 thereafter for National Membership. Includes FREE Buddy Tag, no levies for student contracts, and 10% off study fees for existing members.
• HostafricaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite builder partner offering CityVarsity students 50% off Hostafrica's Website Builder Starter package for one year. Includes drag-and-drop builder, templates, mobile-ready design, and secure hosting.
• Standard BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStandard Bank account holders receive 10% discount when signing up to study. MyMo Account holders get free Varsity Vibe Premium subscription, free Microsoft Digital Literacy access, free PluggedIn career development platform access, and R100 mobile airtime benefit.
• MastercardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMastercard holders receive 15% off study fees when enrolling at CityVarsity.
• EduPassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCareer aptitude testing partnership. Students who download and register on the EduPass app receive 10% off their studies at CityVarsity.
• The Cross TrainerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports apparel partner offering 10% off in-store nationwide at The Cross Trainer, including sports fashion and training footwear.
• Just Rewards Loyalty (Medshield)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner programme. Medshield clients can redeem 10% discount via Just Rewards Loyalty on their study fees.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AAA School of Advertising: South African private college offering higher certificates, diplomas, and degrees in advertising, marketing, and creative production — competes for the same school-leaver creative-arts segment.
• Red & Yellow Creative School of Business: Cape Town-based private creative school offering diplomas and degrees in advertising, design, and creative business — strong direct overlap with CityVarsity's creative arts portfolio in the same city.
• Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography: Western Cape-based private design and photography school — overlaps with CityVarsity's Visual Communication / Professional Photography and Film & Television tracks in the same regional market.
• AFDA (South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance): South Africa's leading private film, television, and performance school; offers comparable degree/diploma programmes in creative media fields directly competing with CityVarsity's Acting for Camera and Visual Communication departments.
• Vega School (a brand of The IIE): Private higher-education brand focused on brand, design, and creative communications in South Africa — directly overlaps with CityVarsity's Visual Communication and Multimedia Design offerings.
• SAE Institute South Africa: Global creative media education brand with a South African campus offering audio, film, animation, and game development programmes — directly comparable to CityVarsity's Sound & Media Technology and Multimedia departments.
• Boston Media House: Private South African college offering creative media, journalism, film, and sound engineering qualifications — direct competitor across multiple creative disciplines CityVarsity teaches.

Others

• Coursera: Global online learning platform offering creative arts, photography, music production, and film courses from accredited universities — an indirect competitor and potential complement for CityVarsity's online programmes.

Broad incumbents

• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Leading Johannesburg public university with a Film and Television division — broad incumbent in the same Gauteng market where CityVarsity's Johannesburg campus operates.
• University of Cape Town (UCT): Major public research university based in Cape Town offering Film & Television, Drama, and Music programmes as part of a broader academic portfolio — established incumbent that competes for the same top-tier creative-arts students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0ITeZo4FQpQBgKAM3Hc4Yg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cityvarsity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/city-varsity
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityvarsity/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@cityvarsity?_t=8Wex0m0thhd&_r=1
• Xx.com/cityvarsity

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City Varsity