As industry leaders in the South African marketing landscape, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business has been producing some of the most creative thinkers in advertising, communications, and design for the past 28 years. Driven by a commitment to deliver industry-ready graduates who can meet complex problems and challenges with innovative ideas and solutions, there’s a passion for forward-thinking education at the heart of all they do.
R&Y was created to address a rapidly growing need for newly hired talent who could hit the ground running when they entered the workplace. Backed by a well-rounded education that balanced book smarts with the most relevant practical experience, they’d offer the competitive edge.
” Coming to Red & Yellow this year was the best decision I’ve ever made. It has had a huge impact on the way that I think, changed how I view others, and unlocked creativity that I never even knew I had. I could not recommend this course highly enough.” – Lucy Bryant 
Leadership with a purpose
At R&Y, successful business principles and inspired leadership aren’t just concepts that form part of the curriculum – they are part of the school’s backbone and embodied by those who are steering it towards even greater success.
Andrew Allison – Chief Commercial Officer – comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience and this corporate lawyer, accountant and B-BBEE specialist is also a business problem-solver of note. R&Y’s Managing Director, Verusha Maharaj, is an industry stalwart in marketing and advertising, with vast experience in running projects for start-ups and multinationals alike.
Carmen Schaefer, Head of Academics, is committed to new ideas and the power of creativity – and firmly believes that it’s not just students who should strive to keep growing and evolving, but also the school.
Elizabeth Lee Ming is an award-winning Growth Marketer and her background in managing multinational accounts not only sets her apart as R&Y’s Head of Marketing – but means that she could not be a more fitting example for students pursuing careers in this field.
With 17 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant in both Cape Town and London, Melanie Howe is perfectly positioned to head up R&Y’s Finance Team as Financial Manager. She’s spent almost a decade working specifically in South Africa’s education arena – which is also where she’s found her true calling.
A range of relevant & future-fit offerings
R&Y’s range of offerings essentially provide students, and companies, with a variety of ways to learn – from online short courses and qualifications to full and part-time programmes, as well as dedicated corporate training. There are tailormade offerings across the board, and golden threads are uncompromising standards of excellence, fully accredited qualifications, a dynamic focus on future-focused work-readiness, and relevant courses that meet the demands of an ever-evolving and digitally minded world.
The on-campus programmes comprise a well-balanced selection of degrees, advanced diplomas and higher certificates:
Two degrees are offered – a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing, in Association with Unilever. Both 3-year qualifications truly give graduates the competitive edge. The Bachelor of Commerce is revolutionising the tertiary landscape with its innovative, hands-on approach – combining R&Y’s three-decade legacy as an African leader in advertising and marketing education with Unilever’s global brand-building expertise. The result is an industry-relevant, practically-oriented tour de force underpinned by best-practice theory.
There are three Advanced Diplomas – in Copywriting, Marketing and Advertising Communications, and in User-Centered Design. From 2022 onwards, all three of these will also be available as part-time programmes, enabling students to acquire these sought-after qualifications in a part-time capacity.
Finally, R&Y offers Higher Certificates in Creating Digital Content and in Graphic Design. Both of these 1-year programmes comprise a comprehensive range of modules to fully prepare students for the work environment, with work integrated learning being par for the course.
As one of South Africa’s foremost private tertiary institutions, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business has been paving the way for the past 28 years for a business landscape that is significantly elevated and invigorated by creative minds. Minds that are stimulated by an education that merges all theoretical aspects with practical applications of the trade.”
With a wide selection of online education options on offer, R&Y also features advanced diplomas such as Digital Marketing, certificates like a National Certificate in Design Techniques Specialising in Design Thinking, and more than 20 short courses, ranging from Graphic Design to Project Management, User Experience Design, Sports Sponsorship Marketing and Motion Graphics – to name just a few.
Producing many captains of industry who’ve reached the pinnacle of success, both locally and abroad, R&Y’s corporate offering is an empowering platform for businesses who want to provide all the necessary tools and opportunities for their teams to be upskilled and excel. Experts in creative thinking, data visualisation and user-centred design; marketing, advertising and communications; management and leadership, as well as human skills and behavioural science impart invaluable knowledge, with teams benefitting from their wealth of experience. There’s also an emphasis on the client’s desired learning outcomes throughout.
What’s more, R&Y’s Digital Marketing eTextbook, which was first launched in 2008, has become such a runaway success that it’s arguably grown into the most widely used digital marketing textbook on the planet – with some of the most reputable institutions around the globe prescribing it as part of their curriculums.
More perks include long-lasting industry connections, a digitally-minded approach, world-class results and a thorough understanding of B-BBEE legislation and Skills Development – as well as the importance thereof. It’s therefore no wonder that clients include JSE-listed companies across multiple sectors.
R&Y’s status as a leading provider of the most sought-after 21st-century skills has been further augmented by the school becoming a member of the Honoris United Universities network – Africa’s first and largest pan-African network of private higher institutions – in 2020.
It’s part of the R&Y story to continuously grow and become stronger while staying true to the premise that’s been there from the start. It’s a story that’s seen some great successes, including over 142 industry awards, but the greatest successes will always be their students. 87% find employment upon graduating and R&Y now has almost 16,000 alumni (and growing) all over the globe – all equipped with the practical knowledge and skills they need to soar in all aspects of life.
” In 2020, I was planning to do an honours degree in humanities, but something told me to put a hold on that plan and to apply at Red & Yellow. I completed the advanced diploma in marketing and advertising communications programme and it was one of the smartest decisions that I could have ever made. You’ll learn and grow so much as a person, by the time you reach the end of your programme, you’ll be sad to say goodbye.” – Tariq Khan
