Academic functioning
Code of conduct
The Open Window expects from its students total commitment to learning and creativity, professionalism and respectful conduct towards fellow students, the design industry and lecturers.
Mode of instruction
The Open Window makes use of contact education and uses the following modes of instruction; formal guidance and critiques on practical project executions, workshops, lectures, tutorials, practical workplace experience and independent self-study. Each module is launched with a detailed brief, which provides necessary project guidelines. Specialists, active in the design industry, ensure hands-on, up-to-date education and training in a creative, and structured way.
Class attendance is critical and marks are deducted if a student is absent without reason.
Language Policy
The English language is the medium of instruction and the assumption is that all students are able to communicate in English.
Evaluation and moderation
Evaluation takes place continuously. Summative assessments are moderated and all exit level assessments are externally moderated. This ensures that The Open Window offers qualifications equal to industry demands with a high academic standard. The examination committee comprises industry professionals and academics invited from universities offering similar programmes.
Modules and classes
Projects and workshops are presented by different lecturers within a quarterly structure.
The academic year consists of four modules of approximately eight weeks each. Even though these structured units are referred to as “modules”, all subjects are based on a year-course approach.
Students attend a two-hour class in each subject once a week.
Experiential Learning
The compulsory experiential learning programme at recognized companies in the visual communication design field enables senior students to participate in real design projects and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day practice of a design, animation or video studio.
Student Support
Selected staff members are allocated to support students in academic, medical, psychological, financial and technical difficulties experienced while studying at The Open Window.