IIE BA in Interior Design Degree

Qualification information
  • COURSE: Degrees; Undergraduate Degree
  • MODE: Full-Time
  • DURATION: 3 years
  • NQF LEVEL: 7
  • CREDITS: 360
  • SAQA ID: 87306

Overview

The IIE BA Degree in Interior Design has specifically been designed to meet the requirements of the challenging and expanding fields of Interior Design such as corporate, retail, hospitality, exhibition and residential design.

This qualification provides students with a clear understanding of three-dimensional design analysis, scale/proportion, spatial sequence and other architectural components. Students are encouraged to develop a thorough and imaginative approach to creative problem solving in the context of any human environment.

Lateral design approaches are developed in which briefs are solved at a variety of levels and with an integrated experimental approach to problem solving. Design briefs encourage students to engage with design influences such as: economics, ergonomics, anthropometrics, sustainability, inclusivity, cultural influences, social context and location.

Students will also be introduced to ideation and visualization techniques, the interior design process, research, theories, perspectives and history of interior design, interior design construction and detailing, material studies, professional practice and computer-aided draughting and building information management tools presently used in design practice.

Modules:

Year 1

  • Creative Development 1
  • Design Studies 1
  • History of Architecture and Design 1
  • Ideation and Visualisation 1A & 1B
  • Interior Design 1A & 1B
  • Interior Design Construction 1

Year 2

  • Contextual Studies for Interior Design 2
  • Design Studies 2
  • Interior Design 2A & 2B
  • Interior Design Construction 2A & 2B
  • Interior Design Technology 2A & 2B

Year 3

  • Contextual Studies in Interior Design 3
  • Interior Design 3A & 3B
  • Interior Design Construction 3A & 3B
  • Interior Design Professional Practice 3A & 3B
  • Introduction to Research

Study further with IIE Pathways
The successful completion of the IIE BA in Interior Design enables you to progress into the IIE BA Honours in Interior Design delivered at IIE Vega, subject to meeting the admission requirements.

Timetables
This qualification is aimed at students who wish to complete full-time face-to-face studies for the duration of their qualification. This means that students are expected to be available throughout the day for class in the academic year depending on how the timetable is structured. Students may also be required to write assessments or submit coursework or assignments outside of normal class time. Students who would like to pursue part time employment opportunities outside of the academic programme must prioritise their studies and avoid committing to work schedules until after they have received their timetables and academic calendar from the institution. Students must also note that timetables remain subject to change throughout the academic year.

Please note:

IIE-Vega does not require a portfolio as part of the application process to study design. That’s because our primary focus is on how our students think and how collaborative they are as creative solution seekers. The development of an industry-ready portfolio becomes a core focus once you enrol and engage hands-on with any one of our design programmes.

You are welcome to make an appointment with your campus Contact Navigator if you are not sure which design course would suit you best. Ideally you should attend one of our GenV workshops at any of our IIE-Vega campuses to explore the different programmes on offer.

Tuition Fees

First year fee for new registrations starting in 2024
R122 600 Full Settlement Total Fee
R131 360 Instalment Total Fee (10 Monthly Instalments)
A *Pre-Registration Fee of R2 500 is included in the Total Fee
*Refundable if admission criteria for the qualification is not met.

Please note:

  • Applications for the 2024 intake are subject to a non-refundable late application fee of R1750.
  • You will be required to complete a new contract annually which will include fees for that year.
  • Returning students can consult the bill of costs on the website to obtain their 2024 fees based on their basket of modules.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements:

  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) Bachelor’s Degree with pass 30% for English, 40% for Mathematics or 60% for Mathematical Literacy/Technical Maths; OR
  • A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) Bachelor’s Degree pass with 50% in English, 50% Mathematics or 60% Mathematical Literacy/Technical Maths; OR
  • A Senior Certificate (SC) endorsement with at least 33.3% for English, 40% for Mathematics on the HG; OR 60% for Mathematics on the SG; Mathematical Literacy/Technical Maths; OR
  • A Senior Certificate (Amended) SC(A) Bachelor pass with at least 40% for Mathematics on the HG; OR at least 60% for Mathematics on the SG, Mathematical Literacy/Technical Maths.
  • A minimum of 30% in LOLT in NSC/ SC(a) OR with a min. of 33.3% in SC.
  • For international qualifications: An USAf Exemption Certificate is required and meeting the relevant Maths and English requirements.
  • Alternatively, a cognate Higher Certificate or cognate 240 credit Diploma OR an Advanced Certificate OR 360 credit Diploma or Degree may satisfy the minimum admission requirements to degree studies.
  • If discipline not cognate at least 20% of credits must be academic literacy or numeracy related.

Senate Discretionary Admission
Mature Age Admission for applicants with SC with Endorsement, or NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) with Degree Admission

  • Candidates 23 years and older at point of registration, with an endorsed Senior Certificate or a National Senior Certificate with Bachelor’s Degree pass or National Certificate (Vocational) with Bachelor’s degree Pass or Senior Certificate (amended) with Bachelor’s Degree pass can be accepted on a senate discretionary mature age admission if they do not meet the additional admission requirements. Their academic progress will be tracked and reported at Senate. A USAf Exemption Certificate is not required.

Mature Age Exemption - SC not endorsed, NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) with Diploma Admission

  • Candidates having attained the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with a Senior Certificate, *Senior Certificate (Amended), *National Senior Certificate, *National Senior Certificate (Vocational), with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade subjects or 20-credit subjects (or equivalent), at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and in the case of a Senior Certificate, one of which shall be a recognised higher grade subject.
  • A USAf Exemption Certificate is required.

*A Diploma Pass on these certificates would imply that that the candidate qualifies

Mature Age Exemption - 45 years and older

  • Candidates must have attained the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration. 
  • A USAf Exemption Certificate is required.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

  • Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, The IIE may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).
  • If applicant does not meet minimum admission requirements and there is no alternative (such as completion of NQP modules) but they have relevant experience, the following must be requested:
  1. Certificates for all formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc). SAQA certificates must be provided for any international qualifications.
  2. CV to determine whether the following are related to the qualification that the applicant is applying for:
  1. Formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc)
  2. Relevant work experience

USAf approved cognate foundation programme

  • Candidates who have completed an USAf approved cognate foundation programme from a registered and accredited provider may be admitted.
  • An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.

Transfer students

  • Candidates who have successfully completed at least 120 credits on the first year of a cognate degree may be admitted.  However, if a student completed less than 120 credits, the admission criteria on the NSC or equivalent apply.  

OQSF qualifications

  • Candidates with an OQSF Level 5 cognate qualification may be admitted, provided the OQSF qualification has at least 120 credits at NQF Level 5. An USAf Exemption Certificate is required - the Office of the Registrar will facilitate, on behalf of the student, an application for degree admission to USAf, once the student has provided proof of payment to USAf.

One Module Outstanding

  • Candidates who have one module outstanding to complete an IIE Higher Certificate which is appropriate for admission to a degree, may register for the degree on the condition that they will register for the outstanding Higher Certificate module along with the first year of the degree.
  • If a student does not pass the module, they will be allowed to register again* for this module and any modules failed in the first year of the degree; however, they will NOT be allowed to register for the second year of the Degree, or any subsequent year, until they have passed the Higher Certificate module.

*Registration is also subject to the maximum completion times rule in IIE010.

IEB International Secondary Certificate

  • Candidates must have achieved Bachelor's Degree pass and meet the additional admission criteria (where applicable).
  • The OoR will apply to USAf for Exemption based on Senate Discretion.

Should you have any other school leaving qualification not mentioned above, please reach out to a contact navigator.

Jobs in this field:
  • Corporate Designer
  • Retail Designer
  • Hospitality Designer
  • Residential Designer
  • Exhibition Designer

Alumni

Bernadine Pretorius

Class of 2014

Bernadine is an Interior Architect at Heartspace Interior Design. During her studies at Vega she learnt how to prepare her work to visually sell her ideas to clients.

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Kayla Rynhoud

Class of 2017

Kayla is an Interior Designer. Vega prepared her for the stress and reality of the working world as she was able to equip herself for the creative industry.

READ MORE
Tuami Zulu

Class of 2014

Tuami is the director of Proportion Studio of Design. Vega prepared him for the working world and he recommends it as it “touched on multiple subjects and activities that prepare someone to be industry ready.”

READ MORE