Best 10 Interior Design Courses in South Africa | 2025 Fee Structure

The South African nation is ideal for pursuing interior design studies because of its rich cultural heritage combined with numerous architectural styles, and broadening vistas.

Places like Cape Town and Johannesburg have all the vibrancy, showing just the right blend of modern and conventional design elements; thus, serving as a great way for the students to draw inspiration from and build their sense of aesthetics with various Interior Design courses.

South Africa is a country where Interior Design courses can be pursued with a promise of engaging design companies and organizations that look forward to skilled professional interior designers.

Whatever your career goals may be engaging yourself with; residential design, commercial areas, or just specifying in furniture design, the right course in interior design should precede all these decisions.

In this article, we discuss interior design courses in South Africa; taking a closer look at the best interior design institutions, how much the qualifications cost, and how long the studies take.

Interior Design in South Africa

The interior design industry is considered one of the most developing areas within South Africa because of the increased demand for nice, comfortable, and sustainable living spaces.

With the budding property market of the country and dire needs for inspirational solutions both for homes and commercial properties, besides a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, and relevance to culture, interior designers originating from South Africa set their own rules in design by using local materials, textures, and patterns in their work.

The scope of interior designers in South Africa ranges from high-end residential projects to commercial, hotels, and restaurants.

Among the leading institutions offering courses in interior design in South Africa are the University of Johannesburg, Inscape Education Group, and Design School Southern Africa.

These programs are meant to equip students with the relevant skills that shall enable them to practice professionally in the industry. Among these courses are spatial planning, theory of color, design of furniture, and technical drawing.

What are the types of Interior Design Courses in South Africa?

These courses of interior design span from certificate courses through to degree courses to postgraduate diplomas in South Africa. The main course offerings for the interior design courses in South Africa include:

• Certificate Courses: These shall cover very basically the principles and practices concerning interior design that shall be helpful for those who want to gain basic knowledge about it.
  
• Diploma courses include more substantial training in the course by including design principles, space planning, and specification of materials.
  
• Bachelor’s degree: Subjects for a bachelor’s degree are devised to give the student a full education in all aspects of principles and practices concerning the subject of interior design for work as a professional interior designer.
  
• Postgraduate Diplomas: These are postgraduate diplomas in interior design targeted at practicing interior designers who may want to specialize in certain areas of the field, like sustainable design or interior architecture.

How much does it cost to study interior design in South Africa?

The cost of studying interior design in South Africa is not standardized and, thus, highly variable depending on the Institution, location, and type of qualification.

It will cost on average anything from R20 000 to R50 000 per year for interior design at diploma or certificate level and anything from R30 000 to R70 000 a year for a degree course.

Added to this, the student can expect to pay an additional R5 000 to R10 000 per year for materials, software, and other requirements. Although these quotes can be quite discouraging to follow through with as of this instances, most institutions do offer various forms of financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans which can make your interior design education more affordable.

What are the qualifications to be an interior designer in South Africa?

To be qualified as an interior designer in South Africa, one must obtain the appropriate qualification in interior design or another related field. Typical qualifications that one may have include the following: 

• A National Diploma in Interior Design, NQF Level 6
• A Bachelor of Technology in Interior Design, NQF Level 7
• A Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, NQF Level 7
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design, NQF Level 8

The qualifications could be taken at universities, colleges, and private design schools. You would then qualify for registration as a professional interior designer with the South African Institute of the Interior Design Professions upon completion of your studies.

How long does it take to study interior design in South Africa?

The time taken to study interior design in South Africa varies and thus depends on certain qualification types and various institutions.

A diploma or certificate course may take one or two years, but a degree course will take from three to four years. Some institutions have part-time or online courses that would take longer, which usually takes about four to six years.

Some also further their education through postgraduate studies, which take an additional year or two in school.

Also see: Nosa Courses and Prices in South Africa

Requirements to Study Interior Design in South Africa

The following are the requirements that you need to have to study interior design in South Africa. You should have an NSC, with a minimum of 30% in the language of instruction, normally English.

You also require a minimum of 40% in four other subjects that include Mathematics, Design, or Visual Arts. Some institutes also have requirements for a portfolio of your work or an entrance test.

Best Interior Design Courses in South Africa

South Africa boasts of offering the best interior design courses in the continent. The following are some interior design schools that offer vast interior design courses to drive you to your goals. Here are some of the best Interior Design Courses in South Africa;

1. Inscape Education Group

Inscape Education Group is one of the prestigious institutions in South Africa offering a comprehensive interior design course to make its students successful and efficient in their respective professions.

What makes Inscape Education Group different is the learning approach. It is set to foster creative, innovative thinking. The Interior Design courses that are offered by the group will give you all the tools you need to enter the profession.

Inscape’s interior design course has been designed focusing on creativity, innovation, and sustainability in order to meet the demands of the fast-growing industry.

At the same time, students will be in direct contact with professionals and will take part in practical projects that will enable them to gain further experience. Moreover, this institution collaborates with industrial partners.

Inscape Education Group offers a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design for Three years full-time duration.

Fees: R53, 000 per year

2. Design Academy of Fashion

The next on the list among the best interior design courses in South Africa is the Design Academy of Fashion. The Design Academy of Fashion ranks among the top fashion and design schools in the country; hence, its course in interior design does not rank less among the top courses in South Africa.

Apart from that, students will also be taught the latest trends and technologies in interior design, and their skills will be honed in such aspects as spatial planning, materials, and textiles.

With strong focuses on practical skills and industrial relevance, the Interior Design course offered at the Design Academy of Fashion will be ideal for students who want to make their mark in the profession.

The Academy offers an Interior Design Diploma. This is a full-time course, duration two years.  

Fees: R40, 000 per annum

3. Vega School

Another excellent institution offering the interior design course in South Africa is Vega School. Through its very nature, the interior design course at Vega spurs innovation and creativity by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to efficiently navigate what has become a dynamically changing profession.

During the course of their study, they will be updated on state-of-the-art design trends, technologies, and software, in addition to developing their project management, communication, and collaboration skills.

Vega School offer the Bachelor of Design in Interior Design-three year full-time course.

Fees: R55, 000 per annum

4. Open Window Institute

The Open Window Institute is a Pretoria-based institution that offers valuable Interior Design courses in South Africa, adapted toward developing your creative and technical skills in interior design.

The interior design course at the Open Window Institute concentrates on creativity, imagination, and innovation; it is specifically intended to provide students with the idealistic skills and knowledge to thrive in the professional world.

Open Window Institute students will be allowed to get acquainted with updated trends in design, technologies, and software, develop skills in such spheres as spatial planning, materials, and textiles.

The Interior Design courses at Open Window Institute takes three years for full-time.

Fees: R48,000 per year

Check out the 15 Free Online Interior Design Course with Certificates

5. Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography

Another popular institution with a very good interior design course is the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography.

In the interior design course at Stellenbosch Academy, much attention is paid to creativity and innovation, in addition to giving students technical skills. The nature of this course will equip learners with the requisite skills and knowledge to prosper in the industry.

The new advances in design trends, technologies, and software that the students are likely to encounter, their skills shall be further developed to include project management, communication, and collaboration.

The Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography offers a Bachelor of Design in Interior Design. This is a full-time, three-year course.

Fees: R50,000 per annum

6. CityVarsity

CityVarsity is another well known institution that offer quality interior design courses in South Africa. The interior design course offered by CityVarsity focuses on creativity, innovation, and practical skills to equip the student with the necessary skills and relevant knowledge in the profession.

The training includes courses on new design trends, technologies, and software, which will also help students enhance their skills in spatial planning, materials, and textiles.CityVarsity has its campus located in Cape Town and provides a limited number of interior design courses. 

Students gain creative and technical skills to make them employable in the industry. CityVarsity offers courses for a Diploma in Interior Design. The course is completed full-time over a duration of two years.

Fees: R35 000 per annum

7. The Design School of Southern Africa

The Design School of Southern Africa in Pretoria is one of those places where the best interior design course is taught in South Africa with deterity and experience.

The course in interior design at The Design School will emphasize creativity, innovation, and technical skills to suitably equip the students with what is needed in the industry.

The course will expose students to the latest trends in designs, technologies, and software apart from developing such skills as project management, communication, and collaboration amongst the students.

DSSA offers a two-year full-time Diploma in Interior Design and encompasses all facets of the practice from theoretical to practical. 

Fees: R40 000 per annum

8. SAE Institute

SAE Institute, Cape Town is another notable institution that offer in-demand courses in interior design in South Africa.

Innovative and creative, with practical competencies as an overarching approach, the SAE Institute course in interior design has been tailor-made to ensure that upon graduation, students are employable in the sector

The academy can train students in spatial planning, materials, textiles, the latest design trends, technologies, and software.

The two-year full-time Interior Design Diploma at SAE Institute addresses the creative and technical developmental aspects of the students.

Fees: R45,000 per annum

9. Friends of Design– Academy of Digital Arts

Emphasizing creativity, innovation, and the use of digital skills, the interior design courses at Friends of Design-Academy of Digital Arts assures adequate provision of the required skills and cognizance toward success in the industry.

It would, therefore, be expected that students learn about the latest design trends, technologies, and software, and their skills should also be improved in project management, communication, and collaboration.

Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts is one of the interior design schools in South Africa that offer a full-time Diploma in Interior Design for two years.  It covers all aspects involved in the career from theoretical to practical.

Fees: R38,000 per annum

10. The Interior Design Academy

The Interior Design Academy is another institution that offer various interior design courses in South Africa. Considering that creativity, innovation, and practical skills are emphasized, the interior design course at The Interior Design Academy is structured to provide a student with the ability and knowledge to set them up for success within this industry.

The two-year full-time Diploma in Interior Design course will introduce students to the latest developments in design, technologies, and software. It could further develop skills in spatial planning, materials, and textiles.

Fees: R42 000 per year

Explore to see Free Online Courses With Certificates In South Africa

Is Drawing Necessary for Interior Designing?

Yes, drawing is one of the major skills that the interior designer requires. The proper drawing and sketching abilities are needed to be held by an interior designer in order to communicate with others.

While there is immense use of CAD software within the industry, designers cannot avoid hand-drawing skills to brainstorm ideas and conceptualize them.

Most South African interior design courses place a lot of emphasis on the development of drawing skills, and you are most likely to invest quite a good deal of your time in perfecting your drawing skills.

Which universities in South Africa offer interior design courses?

There are several prestigious universities offering the courses in interior design within South Africa, and the courses lay a very solid foundation in the creative and technical aspects of interior design.

Some of the best universities offering courses in interior design in South Africa are the following:

• University of Pretoria offers a Bachelor of Interior Architecture that trains students in the design of interior spaces for settings such as homes, offices, and institutions.
  
• University of Johannesburg offers a BTech Interior Design that focuses on developing the designing skills of students in understanding materials and building codes and regulations.
  
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology– The institution offers a National Diploma in Interior Design. Coverage provided gives learning about general principles of interior design including space planning, material coverage amongst others.
  
• Nelson Mandela University– A Bachelor of Design in Interior Design is offered. The aim of the course is creative and technical skills in interior design.
  
• University of the Witwatersrand– B.Architectural Studies with specialization in Interior design.

Does Interior Design Require Math?

Yes, it does. There’s the understanding of measuring, calculating proportions, and working out quantities of materials. The person needs to understand this spatially in his head and organize how different elements come together within a space.

While math may not be the main focus of interior design, it is a critical tool used to further problem-solving and critical thinking.

It is among the major aspects of most countries’ interior design courses, including South Africa. You would at least have to know geometry and some algebra.

 Check out to see the Official List of ALX Courses in Africa | Requirements by Country

Is Interior Design in demand in South Africa?

The demand for interior design in South Africa was in response to the economic boom that has engulfed the nation, considering the fact that there is ongoing urbanization and awareness of the need for a well-designed interior. This cuts across residential, commercial, hospitality, and healthcare.

FAQs

Conclusion

A career in interior design in South Africa is rewarding and filled with creativity. The right qualification, skills, and knowledge open a world of possibilities in transforming spaces and lives.

Following these insights into some of the best interior design courses available in South Africa, these courses will guide your journey to a successful career as an interior designer able to influence the industry.

References

• robinsprong.com/interior design schools in South Africa
• bachelorsportal.com/interior design in South Africa
• edurank.org/top interior design in South Africa

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