Are you looking where to study graphic design in South Africa? Don’t know where to start? When I decided to study graphic design there weren’t many design schools to choose from. Today you have a choice of independent schools, colleges, universities and universities of technology and can do a short course, diploma or even a degree.
Graphic design is a great occupation so to help you begin, I have compiled a list of design schools in South Africa. To assist future students I have added a school rating system. Please give the schools listed a fair and honest rating.
Study Graphic Design at Independent Schools & Colleges
AAA School of Advertising
- Cape Town and Johannesburg
- BA in Creative Brand Communication
- 3 Years
- www.aaaschool.co.za
Boston Media House
- Countrywide
- Diploma in Media Practices
- 3 Years
- 4th Year Specialising in Graphic Design
- www.bostonmediahouse.ac.za
Creative Academy
- Woodstock, Cape Town
- BA Visual Communication Design
- 2 Years
- www.creativeacademy.ac.za
CityVarsity
- Cape Town and Braamfontein
- Diploma in Multimedia Design and Production
- 3 Years
- www.cityvarsity.co.za
CTU Training Solutions
- See Website for locations
- Diploma: Visual Communication
- 3 Years (Full Time or Part Time)
- www.ctutraining.ac.za
Eduvos
- Bedfordview, Midrand, Tygervalley, Claremont, Pretoria, Nelson Mandela Bay, Mbombela, East London, Potchefstroom, Bloemfontein, Durban and Vanderbijlpark
- Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- 3 years (Full Time)
- 4th Year Honours in Graphic Design at Midrand Campus
- www.eduvos.com
ELMI College
- East London
- Advanced Certificate in Graphic Design
- 1 year (Full Time)
- www.elmi.co.za
Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts
- Cape Town
- Higher Certificate Graphic Design
- 1 year (Full Time)
- www.ada.ac.za
Greenside Design Center
- Greenside, Johannesburg
- BA Degree in Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- www.designcenter.co.za
Inscape Design College
- Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town
- Graphic Design Diploma or Degree
- 3 Years
- www.inscape.ac
Oakfields College
- East Rand, Pretoria and Somerset West
- National Certificate in Interactive Media.
- 010 591 7314 | 012 361 0416 | 021 850 0383
- 2 Years
- www.oakfieldscollege.co.za
Open Window
- Irene, Gauteng
- BA Visual Communication Design
- 3 Years
- 4th Year Honours Visual Communication
- www.openwindow.co.za
Red and Yellow
- Cape Town
- BA Visual Communication
- 3 Years
- www.redandyellow.co.za
Rosebank College
- Braamfontein, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria
- Diploma in Computer-Based Graphic Development
- 3 Years
- www.rosebankcollege.co.za
Ruth Prowse School of Art
- Cape Town
- Diploma in Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- www.ruthprowse.co.za
STADIO
- Bellville, Cape Town
- BA Visual Communication Design
- 3 Years
- www.stadio.ac.za
Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography
- Stellenbosch
- BA Visual Communication
- 3 Years
- 4th Year Honours Visual Communication
- www.stellenboschacademy.co.za
Vega School of Brand Leadership
- Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town
- BA Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- www.vegaschool.com
Study Graphic Design at Universities
Nelson Mandela University
- Gqeberha
- BA Degree in Visual Arts: Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- 4th Year Honours Visual Arts: Graphic Design
- www.mandela.ac.za
North West University
- Potchefstroom
- Degree in Graphic Design
- 4 Years
- www.puk.ac.za
University of Johannesburg
- Johannesburg
- BA Communication Design
- www.uj.ac.za
University of Pretoria
- Pretoria
- BA Information Design
- 4 Years
- www.up.ac.za
University of Stellenbosch
- Stellenbosch
- BA Visual Arts
- www.sun.ac.za
Study Graphic Design at Universities of Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Cape Town
- Diploma in Visual Communication Design
- 3 Years
- www.cput.ac.za
Central University of Technology
- Bloemfontein
- Diploma: Design and Studio Art
- 3 Years
- www.cut.ac.za
Durban University of Technology
- Durban
- Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication Design
- 3 Years
- www.dut.ac.za
Tshwane University of Technology
- Pretoria
- National Diploma Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- www.tut.ac.za
Vaal University of Technology
- Vanderbijlpark
- Diploma Graphic Design
- 3 Years
- www.vut.ac.za
Short Courses
Digital School of Marketing
- Online
- Various Graphic Design Courses Offered
- 3 – 8 Months
- www.digitalschoolofmarketing.co.za
GetSmarter
- Online
- UCT Graphic Design Online Short Course
- 10 weeks
- www.getsmarter.co.za
Keyline Graphics
- Durban, Ballito and Johannesburg
- Graphic Designs and Web Design
- 3 Months
- www.keyline.co.za
Pixel Craft
- Berea, Durban
- Graphic Design Course
- 12 Weeks
- www.pixelcrafttraining.co.za
Red & Yellow
- Online
- Graphic Design Course
- 14 Weeks
- www.redandyellow.co.za
Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography
- Online
- Digital Design
- 3 Weeks
- www.stellenboschacademy.co.za
Hi, I’m looking to study UX or UI and I know a lot of multimedia courses offer it in the final year where would you suggest is a good place to study multimedia design
hello, I was also looking at Style Design College and was wondering if anyone managed to find out if this is a legitimate college?
Hello, drwing is my talent so i supposed to design because i am good with drawing, i wish one day to design my new models cars that will be including for disabilities people like me to feel like everybody. so the problem is i didint finish at school but i need the college who deal with dwaing pls
Hi Leele, you will need a National Senior Certificate to study Graphic Design.
Hi I’m also looking for a place to study and to study something that will have a positive out put after my studies but I don’t know what to study and I’m good at art but I don’t know what to study.
Hi Sampson, thanks for your comment. If you are creative and good at art you can become a graphic designer. See my post – Admission Requirements to see if you qualify.
Hi Erica, what are the options for children with learning disabilities but are creative. The normal tertiary educational process and systems don’t really cater or enable these kids to take the next step in their lives. Do you know of any institutes that supports dyslexic and learning disabled kids tertiary education in graphic design or any other design fields.
Hi Erica, what do I need to study in high school to become a graphic designer?
Hi Tallie, please see my post Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements
Do you suggest me an online institute where I can learn from my home and workplace?
Hey,I Am Siigner. What Subjects To Study In High School If You Want To Become A Graphic Designer?
Hi Siinger, have a look at Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements
I want to do a Graphic Design, a diploma for 2 years, i’m located in Johannesburg, but it’s being a difficult to find a college where i can do Diploma of Graphic Design for 2 years, if any one knows one please be free to suggest me. Thank you!
Hi erica
Are there still no learning institutions in SA.. that offer a diploma in GD on a part time basis? Im based in durban and have searched everywhere but cant find any thing. So bummed 🙁
Hi Sadie, sorry there are none that I know of.
I am a student studying interactive media NQ5at artshub institute.I am very interested in studying Graphic design but I can’t continue my studies at a private college because I don’t have the funds and I am currently on a scholarship.So I need advice.Should I continue studies at a University because they have financial aid or look for a internship?
Does anyone know where they.offer a good graphic design course in Durban. To do for home
Hi Erica. Do I need to study GD to be able to design wine label?
Hi Nomthy, yes Graphic Design does include wine label design. See my post Aspects of Graphic Design for more info.
Hi, Erica
I was wondering if i complete a short course in graphic design would it help in order for me to study a BA in Graphics design as i passed matric with admission to diploma and not admission in bachelors, thanks.
Hi Keegan, a short course won’t help but if you do the diploma in Graphic Design first, you will then qualify to do the degree.
Hi my niece disnt have a matric. Is it possible for her to study
Graphic design course
Please assist. I have been working on CoralDraw for over 25 years and find the X8 current version a total pain.
I am now interested in an alternative software programme that can do the same or better that Coral.
I am prepared to come for training
Hi Ian, thanks for your comment. I only use Adobe Illustrator. Adobe offers many online tutorials or you can try Friends of Design.
My son wants to do graphics but we are based in PMB, is there any accredited colleges this side
Hello Erica
Thanks for this very practical post. Im sure many students use it. Just to let you know that the information for Nelson Mandela University has changed. It its now:
NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY
Port Elizabeth
BA Degree in Visual Arts: Graphic Design
3 Years
4th Year Honours Visual Arts: Graphic Design
http://artanddesign.mandela.ac.za
Thank you Inge, I have update the post!
Hi Erica! I was wondering if you maybe have any idea of places in bloem, even if it’s private institutes, where I would be able to study graphic design as a degree, not just a diploma? I’m really keen on studying it at a university but Bloemfontein is my first option and UFS doesn’t have a graphic design course like the other universities. Thank you!
Hi Roché, if you do the 3 year Diploma: Design and Studio Art at the Central University of Technology, you can do a 4th year to get your degree – BACCALAUREUS : GRAPHIC DESIGN. Hope that helps!
Hi Erica
My daughter was very good in drawing at school, she didn’t necessarily think of graphic design as a study option. She was interested in acting, went for a course at AFDA and reality has kicked in that, that industry is tough. She didn’t pass with a Bachelors but a diploma. She’s 22 years old, does the age exemption still apply so that she can enrol for a degree in design or can she do a 1 year diploma and then a 2 year qualification in designing?
Hi Bulelwa, it will depend on the diploma level and credits your daughter received. She will have to contact the school where she wants to study to confirm what year she can continue with.
this was really helpful, you did me a favour from searching them individually….:)
Hello Erica thank you making this information available to us. My question is; do know of any bursary/scholarship that I might apply for to study at one of the independent institutions?
I want to study graphic design online. please can you assist me with contact info for suggested options
Hi, I have a kid who is not doing well on high school. He is in grade ten. Is there any college that can assist him study graphic design next year.
hi, i finished my matric last year and i could not get the needed score to do graphic design. i went back to do a re-write but i could not get the desired marks. What options are there so that i can be admitted at university or college?
Hi I want do master degree in graphic design or multimedia in Pretoria or Johannesburg , It is course work or research
Hey Erica.
I was thinking of applying for CPUT and UWC, but thanks to you, I think I can choose the right one to accomplish my dreams.
Thank you!
Hello 🙂 An addition to your list: Eduvos, a private higher education institution offers Graphic Design qualifications both Online and Full-Time across their 12 campuses nationwide (it may be campus dependent)
Thanks, I have added Eduvos to my list.