SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Interior Design 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100991  Diploma in Interior Design 
ORIGINATOR
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Design Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Diploma in Interior Design is to develop learners that will be able to apply Interior Design principles and procedures to the professional planning, designing, equipping and furnishing of both residential and commercial interior spaces. Qualifying learners will have gained knowledge in:
  • Computer Aided Design
  • Graphic Techniques
  • Principles Of Interior Lighting
  • Acoustics
  • Systems Integration
  • Colour Co-Ordination
  • History of Interior Design
  • Period Style
  • Furniture Design
  • Technical Working Drawings/Drafting
  • Structural Design
  • Model Building

    Qualifying learners will have the competency to creatively apply specialised principles, procedures and regulatory knowledge that will enable them to manage and implement practical solutions that will innovatively solve interior design problems within an African context. Learners of this qualification will be able to enter the local interior design industry. The industry includes companies that are involved in corporate image building, exhibition design, retail merchandising, shop fitting as well as the leisure industry. The entrepreneurial focus of the qualification will also enable graduates to set up their own business, answering to specific requirements of local communities as well as the growing demand for Indigenous South African Interior Design.

    Job opportunities include: draughting, window display, model making, display design, photography, set design, interior design consultancy, furniture design, work with antiques, project management, architectural illustration, signage, work with architects, office layout designing, space planning and retail design. The Diploma in Interior Design will give access to the Advanced Diploma in Interior Design.

    Rationale:
    Qualifying as an Interior Designer implies an acquired ability to, through emphasis on Planning and Functional design, attain effective use of space. An interior designer can undertake projects that include arranging the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects that require an understanding of technical elements such as acoustics, lighting and temperature. A solid foundation for professional practice in Interior Design is built on historical and technical theory. A qualified Interior Designers will have the competency to creatively apply specialised principles, procedures and regulatory knowledge that will enable them to manage and implement practical solutions that will innovatively solve interior design problems within an African context. The Interior Design industry includes companies that are involved in corporate image building, exhibition design, retail merchandising, shop fitting as well as the leisure industry. An entrepreneurial focus also enable learners to set up their own business, answering to specific requirements of local communities as well as the growing demand for Indigenous South African Interior Design. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Qualifying as an Interior Designer implies an acquired ability to, through emphasis on Planning and Functional design, attain effective use of space. An interior designer can undertake projects that include arranging the basic layout of spaces within a building as well as projects that require an understanding of technical elements such as acoustics, lighting and temperature. A solid foundation for professional practice in Interior Design is built on historical and technical theory. A qualified Interior Designers will have the competency to creatively apply specialised principles, procedures and regulatory knowledge that will enable them to manage and implement practical solutions that will innovatively solve interior design problems within an African context. The Interior Design industry includes companies that are involved in corporate image building, exhibition design, retail merchandising, shop fitting as well as the leisure industry. An entrepreneurial focus also enable learners to set up their own business, answering to specific requirements of local communities as well as the growing demand for Indigenous South African Interior Design.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, Level 4,granting access to Diploma Study. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Levels 6 totalling 360 Credits:

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 150 Credits:
  • Computer Literacy, 10 Credits.
  • African Interior Design 1, 5 Credits.
  • Digital Design 1, 22 Credits.
  • Communication for Academic Purposes, 10 Credits.
  • Information Literacy I, 2 Credits.
  • Building Practice 1, 27 Credits.
  • Life Skills I, 2 Credits.
  • Interior Design 1, 30 Credits.
  • Design Principles 1, 12 Credits.
  • WIL in Interior Design I, 20 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship 1, 10 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 210 Credits:
  • Digital Design 2, 20 Credits.
  • African Interior Design 2, 5 Credits.
  • Interior Design Techniques 2, 15 Credits.
  • Building Practice 2, 30 Credits.
  • Interior Design 2, 30 Credits.
  • Interior Design 3, 30 Credits.
  • Building Practice 3, 20 Credits.
  • Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Interior Design II, 40 Credits.
  • Digital Design 3, 10 Credits.
  • Interior Design Presentation Techniques 3,10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the main areas or practices in the discipline of Interior Design, including an understanding of and an ability to apply the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of the discipline to unfamiliar but relevant contexts; and knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to other fields or practices.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to develop visual communication skills by use of a variety of techniques and media for media presentations, technical drawing and technical documentation such as preparation of council submission drawings.
    3. Provide appropriate communication solutions in the design studio which are immersed in the culture that values and encourages collaboration, innovation and engagement with professional practice.
    4. Demonstrate an ability to select and apply appropriate essays, dissertations, an exhibition proposal and a research proposal or techniques within a defined Interior Design context.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of contemporary building construction and shop fitting.
    6. Demonstrate planning, managing and critical reflection in relation to a design project showing the outcomes and recommendations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The brief is analysed and needs are prioritised. Design brief is adequately defined.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Appropriate design problems within the sphere of Interior Design are effectively solved and presented.
  • Planning and three-dimensional realisation are effectively performed.
  • Details are done to visually and practically reflect the concept of the design.
  • Effective visual and written presentations are done.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Designs are executed to reflect sound structure and construction and selection of appropriate materials, environmental and man-made services.
  • Design problem solutions incline towards ergonomic sensibility in order to add to the comfort of the users.
  • Elementary working drawings are executed to reflect sound construction, structure and selection of appropriate materials, environmental and man-made services.
  • Design problems are solved displaying optimum advantage of positive climatic conditions as well as effective countering of negative climatic conditions being taken.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A set of drawings to include plans, elevations, sections, axonometric or isometric drawings and/or perspectives are executed to convey the design solution to the client which include:
  • Appropriate media, including CAD, to present the specific design.
  • Models to a specific scale to simulate the design.
  • Working drawings and details are executed using appropriate media, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) which must be suitable for submission to relevant authorities and other professionals.
  • Specifications both on drawings and separately in note format are done to enable tenderers to tender.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Drawings are done at a level that will be acceptable for submission to relevant authorities.
  • Designs are executed to comply with the National Building Regulations.
  • An appropriate contract for the specific design has been chosen.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The design brief is fully investigate and possible problems identifies and solutions offered.
  • Relevant work practices within the personal and work related areas are followed.
  • Designing capabilities are blended together with theoretical considerations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment will be both formative and Summative and Formative Assessment:

    Formative Assessment:
    Through continuous feedback, constructive critique and practical recommendations to improve their results, learners are constantly aware of their progress in achieving specific learning outcomes. This will be achieved by including assignments, practical projects, tests and class room presentations by learners in a peer-evaluation environment, as well as observation of student participation during theoretical and practical session.

    Learners completing this qualification should be able to blend strong designing capabilities together with theoretical considerations. Integrated assessment will be achieved by including practical individual projects and assignments, written tests, practical examinations and a research report. Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of learners during their classes by an external assessor.

    Summative Assessment:
    This will be done on an annual basis as well as at the end of the three-year study period. At the end of each year, practical evaluations are done of the years' work by a panel of internal and external assessors. Leaners are also exposed to peer and industry evaluations at international and national competitions which students must enter as part of the programme.

    Portfolio. Approach to practical assessment: Placement for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and assessment is done using a given criteria through a WIL guide. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Comparability
    The qualification is very comprehensive and the main focus is on problem solving, design concepts, material studies and production methods as well as implementation and understanding of construction methods, skills and technology.

    This qualification compares favourably with programmes of various durations offered by Lessius Mechelen University College, the University of Ulster, Ryerson University, School of Interior Design, and Columbus College of Art and Design, Ohio which focus on vocational orientation, which includes professional, vocational and industry specific knowledge that will provide a well-grounded understanding of the theoretical principles and procedures within the Interior Design profession. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Industrial Design, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Project Design, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.