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 Erica
My daughter is in matric this year. She is set on studying interactive graphic design. We are based in Pretoria but she does not mind going to Cape Town as Stellenbosch has such a lovely student culture. . Our choices currently are: Stellenbosch Academy, University of Stellenbosch, University of Pretoria and Cape Town Creative Academy. Based on your criteria which of these ones will you recommend. Isn’t the universities too academic with too little practical exposure? What does the industry and potential employers prefer.
Thanks a mil!
Janine
Hi Janine, thank you for your comment. These are all great choices! I know the University of Pretoria offers a very good degree. For more info you can also see my post – Study Graphic Design: Universities vs Independent Design Schools
Hi Erica. We are suppliers of all art supplies that’s required by Artist and Students. We are called The Paintbox Fineart and Graphic Design Supplies and is based in Durban only. We have been supplying most institutions in Durban with First Year Kits for their students for the past twelve years. We stock only branded items as used by the industry. I have been advised by a lot of parents that had they been aware of us when registering their children at the various institutions, it would made life much easier and cheaper in terms of purchasing their child’s stationery requirements for the year. Thought it will be of assistance to all visiting your site. Any enquiries can be sent to adrianlazarus@hotmail.com
I am now in grade 11 an seriously thinking about studying interactive design but I am very worried about my subjects that I chose. I took cat, consumers and geography because my school dose not give visual arts. I am very creative even if I have to say so myself but my drawing is not amazing as those you see in the internet. My dream is to study at the open window school of visual communication. I would like some more information about what you must be able to do to become a interactive designer and if they will accept me with my current subjects.
Hi Bernadt, thanks for your comment. The Interactive design course at Open Window is an excellent choice. Their Admissions Criteria are as follows:
For more info about admission requirements, please see Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements
Need more info on graphic design courses please.
Hi Ilza, above is a list of schools which offer graphic design in South Africa. Please click on the links provided for more info. You can also see my other blog posts – Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements and Study Graphic Design: Universities vs Independent Design Schools.
Hi Erica – I remember spotting starting salaries for Graphic designers on your blog, but when I checked again, I couldn’t find it. Could you please inform me what the starting salary (junior) is. This is obviously not a solid and confirmed figure but I would like to know more or less. Thank you for your blog. Learn a lot from it. Regards, Linda
Hi Linda, the comment you are referring to was on the blog post – Aspects of Graphic Design. On average, Junior Graphic designers can expect to get between R4 000 and – R8 000 per month. Hope that helps!
hey there…im doing matric this year and i am interested in doing Graphic designing as a career but im not sure if i qualify with the subjects that i am doing (Biology,Pure Maths,Business studies Geography and English)…is it possible?
Hi Leigh, have a look at my post Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements
If you are in Durban and you are looking for short, practical courses check out http://www.pixelcrafttraining.co.za. We offer courses in Graphic Design, Desktop Publishing, Web Design for Graphic Designers,Photography, 3D Animation and intro to Game Design.
Hi Erica
Do you know of any other Graphic Design short courses?
Goodmorning.
My daughter has just moved to Johannesburg and she wants to study Graphic Design. We stay near Edenvale. I wanted to ask if you might know any institutions that is close to home and she can study graphic design?
Thank you
Hi Gail, thank you for your comment. You can try Inscape Design College or Greenside Design Center College of Design.
I would like to know if the Bachelor Of Arts (Culture And Arts) Multimedia Studies: Computer-Generated Multimedia at Unisa is still being offered?
I am currently at the verge of finishing my B.Tech in Electrical Engineering. I have done Programming and Software Engineering modules (Agile Development) throughout my course. I have developed a hidden passion for Game Development. I have created many games in Java and wish to extend my knowledge of game development. I have looked at institutes like Boston, Varsity etc. but those institutes are not as advanced as Unisa (With reference to OpenGL, C++, AI and other Graphic Modelling modules offered at Unisa).
Please advise if this course is still running at Unisa.
Regards
Hi, according to their website the course is still being offered – Bachelor Of Arts (Culture And Arts) Multimedia Studies: Computer-Generated Multimedia (02305 – MC1). For more info, I would recommend contacting their help desk – Tel: 012 429 6243 Email: arthelpdesk@unisa.ac.za.
hi Erica.my son wants to study graphic design at CTU .is this institution registered .pls help
Hi Nomsa, according to The Skills Portal CTU Training Solutions is fully accredited by the MICT SETA.
Hi Erica
My daughter is in Gr12 now and we went to the Openwindo’s openday last year. She loved it so much and would desperately want to go study there. We also visited Poch Univeraty but she liked OpenWindow mucn more.
My question to you is: What other institute on your list would compare the best to Open window and why?
We live in Swakopmund Namibia and have to consider that fact when we send our children off to university.
Open window is in PTA where most of our students go to Stellenboch or Capetown.
What is your opinion of Open Window?
We cannot apply only for one institute
Thank You
Elrie Pieterse
Hi Elrie, thank you for your comment. I have only heard good things about Open Window and I know they have a very good reputation with excellent results in student awards and are one of South Africa’s best-known and respected art and design higher education institutions. For other schools with a good reputation you can try AAA School of Advertising Cape Town, Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography, North-West University or Vega School of Brand Leadership.
Hi
Thank you..
We are so confused there are so many different causes to study. What is the difference between Visual Communication, Communication Design, Interaction Design and Multimedia Design. Do you have to study a spesific course to be one of the above or is there a course that you can do that will cover a hole lot of careers where you can do everything.
When we visited Open Window thy told us that their students can do a wide spectrum of jobs because they are trained that way. Do we look at the careers first and then decide what to study or do we look at the courses first and see what employments thy give? In the olden days it only used to be art , and that was it!
Elrie
Hi Elrie, sorry for the late reply. Visual Communication, Visual Arts and Communication Design are the same as Graphic Design. They all include the study of the various Aspects of Graphic Design, so on completion of the diploma or degree you can go into Advertising, Packaging, Illustration etc (see my post for more details on the Aspects of Graphic Design). Interaction Design and Multimedia Design focus more on digital media, ie 3D animation, Game Design, Web Design, Video and Sound Editing. Some courses I have listed do include Multimedia Design in their program, but mostly if you want to specialise in digital media it would be best to rather do a degree in Multimedia. Hope that helps!
How much are corses
Hi!
I matriculated in 2013, taking a gap year in The Netherlands this year. I’m keen for a creative career. Have been looking at institutions around Cape Town to do a photography course. Any chance you can give some advice on which on to choose?! Many of them only offer a certificate…
Hi Anri, for courses in Photography, you can have a look Ruth Prowse School of Art or you can do a diploma in Photography at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Enjoy the rest of your time in the Netherlands!
I Erica
have graduated with diploma in graphic design from Ghana will like to feather my course in one of the universities in South Africa in animation and motion graphics
Hi Erica
i want to know if you guy do scenic designs, been looking for scenic design school in south africa
Hi James, I have searched for schools which offer scenic/set design but I can’t find any either… I think you should search for a Set Designer in South Africa and ask where would be the best place to study. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi Erica, I came across your blog whilst doing some research.
My Partner currently wants to do Web Development, you seem to know an awful lot of where to go ect.
Do you know if Web Development is a Diploma / higher?
Could you help me with some good institutions (The preffered ones) In JHB/KZN and Cape town? I would really appreciate the help, there are so many courses but he wants something real behind his name.
Hi Danielle. I am not sure about Wed Development courses other then Prestige Academy in Cape Town which offers a Diploma in Graphic Web Design and Web Development. For Web Design Courses please see my post Where to Study Web Design in South Africa.
Hi!
I want to take a design course but metriculated with a diploma, will this matter and if so is there courses I can take before to qualify.
Thank you
Hi Alli, thank you for your comment. There are some schools which offer a Bridging Course in Graphic Design – have a look at Design Plus offered at Greenside Design Center College of Design.
Hi Erica,
I want to do my BA Honors degree in visual communications. I was planning to go to Open Window but i’m moving down to Cape Town end of this year. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your site.
Regards
Michael
Hi Michael, thank you for your comment. I think your best option in the Cape will be the University of Stellenbosch.
HI Erica,
Are their any online courses in Graphic design you can suggest. We use graphic design in our business. I work on Coreldraw and Photoshop but would really like to expand my knowledge. At the moment it will be easier to do this online, but I do not trust all the online study sites. Thank you!
Hi Engela, sorry I am only getting back to you now. You can have a look at Get Smarter, they offer a few online design courses. Or you can try New Horizons.
Hi Erica,
This is a great forum – well done!
I already have a Diploma in Graphic Design but I would like to get my degree in Graphic Design. As I work full time I need to find an online degree course and I only wish to study the modules that lead to degree level. Any advice or recommendations would be mush appreciated.
Thank you. Sandra
Hi Sandra, thanks for your comment. I don’t know of any online courses for a Degree in Graphic Design. Most Universities of Technology offer a BTech degree in Graphic Design and give the option to complete the course in two years part time. This may be your best option. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
HI
i finished matric in 2013 and i have been looking for a self study course in Graphic Design but i just cant seem to find the perfect place, what is the best and cheapest place to go to. i live in Pretoria, South Africa and i need to find a close and cheap place to get my studies done. Whats your advice for me??
Thanks
and Much Appreciated
Irshaad
Dear Madam
My son, 17 years old want to study graphic design (animation). We are staying in Pretoria. We visited CTI, Inscape and Open Window. Could you advise us if which of the 3 is the best and/or alternative institutions like Tukkies or TUT. I do not have any knowledge re careers in this field. Therefore, if you would be so kind to give us some advise re the institution you would recommend.
Kind regards
Johan du Plooy
Hi Johan, if your son wants to specialise in Animation, I think Open Window or Inscape will be a better choice.
Hi Erica do you know which university of technologies are good?
Hi Faeez, all the Universities of Technology which I listed above are good!
Hi Erica,
My story is very funny but true, after completing my matric in 2008, i went on to study at the aaa school of advertising in Randburg. Then after my parents suddenly decided I went to DSSA for a year. Although i didnt pass all my subject especialy theory i couldnt go back due to financial constraints. Now that my sister is willing to assist, will i still be credited at one of the above mentioned schools or am I going to start from scratch? What would you rather recomend I do.?
Thanks.
Hi Sisa, you should be able to get credits for the subjects you passed, just confirm with the school before you apply.
Hi Erica,
I’m considering a serious career change…; however full fime work is interfering currently 🙂 During my search for ‘graphic design courses in south africa’ one of the options mentioned graphic design academy…online course with certification.
Do you know anything about this? Quality; material covered; etc. Would this be comprehensive enough as a ‘starter course’ to build a portfolio and is it recognised as credible in the industry?
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Salome
Hi Salome, sorry I don’t know anything about the course you mentioned. But if you are looking for a starter course, you should have a look at my post Where to Study Design Online?. Also have a look at online courses in digital marketing and advertising offered at Red and Yellow.
Thank you Erica for your speedy and helpful reply.
Much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Salome
i would like to know whether there is scholarship at your school.
thank you
yours bwambale baswiri.
Hello Erica,
I don’t know if you saw this yet but as a class project our Graphic Design Course students at Pixel Craft Training have put together this animation. It has been featured on East Coast Radio and is racking up a nice amount of views on youtube :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5apxkaM_Pc
Hope you enjoy it!
Manosh
Hi Erica,
Which of the above schools would you personally rate as the best with regard to reputation (both locally and internationally), as well as, the quality of their education?
kind regards,
Josh
Hi Josh, Open Window comes highly recommended as well as Red and Yellow and AAA.
HI Erica,
your website has been extremely helpful to me – thank you! based on the rating, (and location) i decided to contact Arts Hub Institute, and was quite dissappointed. firstly, the website isnt very easy to navigate, but upon calling them, was very unhappy with the way my inquiry was handled. such a pity, especially since they have such a high rating.
on a different note, i see that you also recommend Get Smarter – i have studied with them previously, and have recently re-enrolled for a different course. i am very happy with their teaching method and would definitely recommend them
Thank You Erica!
rgds,
bronwyn
Hi erica , i have a diploma in graphic design and web development from rosebank college and i would love to do my degree in graphic design but part time, which school would o recommend for me?
Hi Tsholofelo, sorry but I am not aware of any schools which offers a part time Degree in Graphic Design. Have a look at the BTech: GRAPHIC DESIGN Degree at Tshwane University of Technology. Requirements for this one year course includes a National Diploma: Graphic Design or a relevant qualification, with at least an average of 60% in the final year of the National Diploma.
Hi Erica what do you think of DSSA cause my daughter studied at Uj for two years and she wants to study at DSSA now. She is doing Graphic design. Thanks
Hi Pumla, like UJ DSSA also has a good reputation. I think it’s a matter of personal choice.
hi Erica
My daughter is 14jr old and the other day said that she wants to be a graphic designer. What subjects to be taken when she is in grade 9?
Regards
Hannatjie
Hi Hannatjie, have you had a look at my blog post Study Graphic Design: Admission Requirements. Hope it helps!
Hello Erica,
I am from Nigeria and i am looking for a good design institute that has a one year or at most two year programme. any good choice please?
Hi Erica, we stay in Wellington and my daughter would like to do BA Graphic Design at CTI Durbanville. We visit the campus and the smaller classes and environment is a plus. Any other options, considering she will function better in smaller classroom environment?
Hi Andre, thank you for your comment. If your daughter hasn’t already decided, she can also look at Cape Town Creative Academy or Vega School of Brand Leadership.
Hi there,my daughter finished here matric in 2015 she will turn 16 years of age but she really wanted to study graphic design but i would like to know where i can get a bursary or any financial aid to pursue her career,so do you have any places where i can obtain more info on bursaries and places of study .
thanks
arnold
Hi my name is Andile Mlaba and i reside in johannesburg.Im looking at doing a short course on graphic design particularly being able to use coral draw programme on computer.
thanks
Andile
Hi Erica,
Thank you for all the info, can you help me with an opinion on the Style Design College? It’s international but has a degree programme and slightly confused? Also is there a part time BTech diploma in Johannesburg?
Hello Erica
My son is very keen on the Greenside Design Centre to study graphic design.
Can you comment on how do they compare with University of Pretoria and Wits?
Hi Erica I really need help, I’m working full time and are desperate in need for a proper diploma course in graphic design, most of the distance learning/online courses in South Africa does not present the course in full, maybe only the software or the degrees like overseas is very expensive. I didn’t have art in school and really starting from scratch but I did a short course in web and graphic design but could not finished. Long story short I’m looking for a Diploma course,
can you maybe help.
programs etc.
Hi Erica. I live in Pretoria and im intrested in Graphic Design. Im completing my matric this year and non of the subjects i do relate with art or design ( parents did not make an exception at first and they only accepted this year that its what i want ). Which institution around Gauteng is good and would take me even if i didnt do any subjects relating to design or art?
Hello,
I am currently looking for arts and design schools in South Africa. I know that Open Window has a more practical approach to their works and that’s what I like about it but I am also looking for places in Cape Town and even the University of Pretoria. Between UP and OW, which do you suggest is best?
Maxine.
Hi Maxine, both the University of Pretoria and Open Window are excellent choices! In Cape Town, you should have a look at AAA School of Advertising, Cape Town Creative Academy (CTCA) or Red and Yellow Graphic Design.
Hi, can you please advise me where the best place would be to do a course or diploma part time for Packaging Design – I am based in Bloubergstrand in Cape Town
Hi Charlene, Graphic Design Degrees/Diplomas cover packaging design as part of the course and not individually. I would recommend you contact the Institute of Packaging (SA) for educational opportunities. Best of luck!
Hi there! Just read through this, and just want to inform you about CTI. They offer a 3 year BA Graphic Design degree and they really aren’t too bad! i’m busy doing my first year and absolutely loving it. They have a campus in Durbanville and in Clairemont, Western Cape.
Your work is amazing, by the way 🙂
Thanks Chantelle! I have added CTI to my list.
hi
im studying graphic design at creative arts college doing my 2nd year but im moving to jhb so i would like to know where would be the best place to finish my 3rd year?
Hi Tristen, have a look at Inscape, Design School Southern Africa (DSSA) or Greenside Design Center College of Design.
Hello Erica,
I am from Nigeria and am looking to develop my skills in graphic and web design. Please i would like to know more about keyline.co.za in durban. What do you think.
Thanks
Hi Ifeanyi, thanks for your comment. Sorry, but I don’t know much about Keyline. See my post Study Graphic Design: Universities vs Independent Design Schools, for a list of things to check when looking for a place to study graphic design.
Hi there I am looking for a college to study design (Web design) etc but I don’t have a matric ad I dropped out half way through matric to carry on with my design I didn’t find me doing other stuff was something I needed to know if I only wanted to do strictly design. Are there any colleges out there that take students without matric? Thank you
Hi Calvin, if your focus is web design, have a look at my post Where to Study Web Design in South Africa. Universities require a National Senior Certificate (NSC) so you will have to look at Independent Schools & Colleges.
Hi, i have a son who would love to do graphic design in 2016, i would prefer a university in pretoria,capetown or durban. I would like to find out which universities are in that town and the costs. Pamela
Hi Pamela, you can try the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology or Durban University of Technology. You will have to contact them directly for costs.
Hi Erica,do you know if the cityvarsity campus is any good?