IIE Bachelor of Communication Design Degree

Overview

For the born visual thinker, and those who live and breathe creativity and problem solving, the IIE Bachelor of Communication Design offers a rich, rewarding fusion of strategic visual communication and human-centred design.

The IIE Bachelor of Communication Design covers a broad spectrum of essential and advanced skills in a uniquely designed and highly stimulating degree format. This programme equips students with the knowledge and applied competencies, to meet communication design demands in industry and society in a human-centered, ethical, culturally appropriate, and sustainable manner. This programme aims to develop creative thinkers who conceptualise and create strategic and human-centred visual design solutions for different purposes, communication contexts and audiences and who can work independently or in multidisciplinary teams. All elements of visual literacy are robustly engaged with while the core crafting skills such as photography; art direction; film and video; identity design; web design; typography; layout design; packaging; drawing and illustration.

Students learn how to employ strategic and creative thinking to develop and visualise innovative concepts for various outputs, styles and client requirements with each student guided in the individual development of a professional design portfolio at the end of their final year. IIE-Vega’s unique fusion of critical thinking; complex problem-solving; creativity, branding and marketing sets our students apart as strategic and entrepreneurial thinkers and leaders in industry.

Students are formally trained in the most up-to-date software to become astute in the cutting-edge applications and technologies used in industry. They master design for print and digital media and have access to fully-equipped digital studios. As part of the experiential component of the qualification, students work in multidisciplinary teams engaging in real-world brand activations and brand challenges. Action learning is rounded off with the optional Industry Immersion. All students have unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, the world’s foremost repository of interactive digital media training.

Modules:

Year 1:

• Brand and Marketing 1
• Design Studies 1
• Communication Design Technology 1A & 1B
• Illustration 1
• Communication Design 1A & 1B
• Creative Development 1

Year 2:

• Communication Design 2A & 2B
• Design Studies 2
• Communication Design Technology 2
• Brand and Marketing 2
• Video and Photography
• Creative Collaboration  2A & 2B

Year 3:

• Communication Design 3A & 3B
• Introduction to Research
• Communication Design Technology 3
• Professional Practise
• Creative Collaboration  3
• Brand and Marketing 3A: Strategy
• Brand Challenge.

Study further with IIE Pathways
The successful completion of the IIE Bachelor of Communication Design enables you to progress into the IIE BA Honours in Design Leadership 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) Degree pass with 30% for English; OR
• A National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V) Bachelor’s Degree Pass with 50% in English; OR
• A Senior Certificate (SC) Endorsement pass with 33.3% in English
• A Senior Certificate (Amended) SC(A) Degree pass
• A minimum of 30% in LOLT on NSC/ SC(a) OR with a min. of 33.3% on SC; OR
• Alternatively, a cognate Higher Certificate or cognate 240 credit Diploma OR an Advanced Certificate OR 360 credit Diploma 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.
• For international qualifications: An USAf Exemption Certificate is required and meeting the relevant English requirements.

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

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

Mature Age Exemption - 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 (Amended), National Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate (Vocational) with a minimum of 40% in at least four higher or standard grade or 20-credit subjects (or equivalent), at least three of which shall have been passed simultaneously and in the case of a Senior Certificate (Amended), at least one of which shall be a recognised higher grade subject.
• A Diploma Pass on these certificates would imply that that the candidate qualifies.
• Senate Discretionary Admission - Mature Age NSC/NC(V)/SC(a) Hold must be selected so that the USAf Exemption Certificate may be applied for by the Office of the Registrar. 
• The USAf Exemption Certificate application may be facilitated by the Office of the Registrar.

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 to consider admission via RPL:

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.