Department of Interior Design Courses - University of Johannesburg (2024)

BA Interior Design

UNDERGRADUATE

Name of programme
BA in Interior Design
B8BA6Q
Offered in the Department of Interior Design.

Purpose of the programme

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design is to develop and prepare students for entry into a career in interior design or into postgraduate studies, by enabling them to apply integrated knowledge and conceptual thinking skills to innovatively solve a range of interior design problems. This programme will equip students with a thorough foundation in the knowledge of design practice and theory, to conduct design criticism and research.

Brief description of the programme

Interior Designers engage with a range of interior spaces to create innovative spatial solutions with a thorough knowledge of building technology, materials and human environment needs.

The Department of Interior Design offers an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree, a fourth-year Bachelor’s Honours Degree and a Master of Design. The Department’s facilities include designated studio areas for first-year to Master’s students and a centrally-located specialist computer studio.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are qualified for interior design careers in:

Retail and commercial display
Hospitality design
Corporate design
Exhibition design and display systems
Residential design

Duration of Study

Three years

Curriculum

CODE MODULE
BAID6Y1 Interior Design 1
BACD6Y1 Interior Design Construction and Detailing 1
BACT6Y1 Interior Design Communication Technology 1
BAHT6Y1 History and Theory of Interior Design 1
BABS6Y1 Building Services and Materials 1
BAEN6A1 Entrepreneurship 1 (Semester 1)
BASD6B1 Sustainable Design 1 (Semester 2)

BAID6Y2 Interior Design 2
BACD6Y2 Interior Design Construction and Detailing 2
BACT6Y2 Interior Design Communication Technology 2
BAHT6Y2 History and Theory of Interior Design 2
BABS6Y2 Building Services and Materials 2
BAEN6A2 Entrepreneurship 2 (Semester 1)
BASD6B2 Sustainable Interior Design 2 (Semester 2)

BAID6Y3 Interior Design 3
BACD6Y3 Interior Design Construction and Detailing 3
BAHT6Y3 History and Theory of Interior Design 3
BAPP6A3 Professional Interior Design Practice 3 (Semester 1)

Admission Requirements

BA Honours (Interior Design)

POSTGRADUATE

Honours:

Name of programme
BA Hons (Interior Design)
H8IN2Q
Offered in the Department of Interior Design.

Purpose of the programme

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts Honours in Interior Design is to prepare students for further research-based postgraduate study and entry into an advanced interior design career level or associated built environment fields, by enabling students to conduct and report on research under supervision, produce creative solutions to complex design problems and develop and communicate the technical resolution according to industry requirements.

Duration of Study

Minimum duration: one year full-time or two years part-time.

Curriculum

CODE MODULE
IDR8XY4 Interior Design Theory & Research Methodology 4
IDE8XY4 Interior Design 4
IDC8XY4 Interior Design Construction & Detailing 4
IPP8XY4 Professional Practice 4

Admission requirements

An accredited Bachelor’s degree or equivalentin Interior Design, with a recommended average mark of 60% for all final year modules.

Selection criteria

Selection is based on the submission of a portfolio, any prior industry experience, and an academic record.

Contacts

Ms. Nombuso P. Luthuli
Departmental Secretary
Telephone: +27 11 559 1115
E-mail: lluthuli@uj.ac.za,

Faculty Administration
Telephone: +27 11559 1098
E-mail: fadaadmin@uj.ac.za

MA (Design) Department of Interior Design

Masters

Name of programme

MA (Design) RD
M8ID1Q
Purpose of the programme

The purpose of the programme is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The Master’s degree is earned by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation.

Duration of Study

Minimum duration: One year full-time/two years part-time.
Maximum duration: Two years full-time/three years part-time

Curriculum

CODE MODULE
MID9X01 Research Dissertation: Design
MID9X04 Research Dissertation: Design
* Offered in the Department of Interior Design.

Admission requirements

A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree a “professional” Bachelor’s Degree, or relevant Postgraduate Diploma, with sufficient preparation to conduct research with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final-year modules. A relevant Baccalaureus Technologiae: Interior Design degree, with an average mark of at least 65% combined with a research methodology short learning component as recommended by a Status Committee and approved by the Faculty Board.

Selection criteria

In addition to the minimum admission requirements as outlined above, prospective students may be required to present a portfolio of their own work to an interview panel. A portfolio would be requested if further evidence is required of a student’s readiness to conduct textual or artefactual research. In the case of textual research, the portfolio would contain examples of written research, and in the case of artefactual research a portfolio with design artefacts would be required.

Contacts

Ms. Nombuso P. Luthuli
Departmental Secretary
Telephone: +27 11 559 1115
E-mail: lluthuli@uj.ac.za,

Faculty Administration
Telephone: +27 11559 1098
E-mail: fadaadmin@uj.ac.za

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design P8AD1Q

PhD

Name of programme
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Art and Design
P8AD1Q

Purpose of the programme

The purpose of the programme is to enable candidates to undertake research at the most advanced academic level culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of art and/or design. In certain instances, creative work such as designed artefacts, public performances, public exhibitions or other practice-based outputs may constitute the partial fulfilment of the research requirements.

Duration of Study

Minimum duration: Two years full-time or part-time.
Maximum duration: Four years full-time or five years part-time

Curriculum

CODE MODULE
PAD10XA Thesis Art and Design
PAD10XB Thesis Art and Design
* Offered in the Department of Interior Design.

Admission requirements

An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%.

Selection criteria

An appropriate Master’s Degree or equivalent with a minimum final mark of 65%.

Contacts

Ms. Nombuso P. Luthuli
Departmental Secretary
Telephone: +27 11 559 1115
E-mail: lluthuli@uj.ac.za,

Faculty Administration
Telephone: +27 11559 1098
E-mail: fadaadmin@uj.ac.za

Department of Interior Design Courses - University of Johannesburg (2024)

FAQs

What are the requirements to study interior design at UJ? ›

Admission requirements

A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree a “professional” Bachelor's Degree, or relevant Postgraduate Diploma, with sufficient preparation to conduct research with a recommended minimum of 60% for all final-year modules.

Read On ›

Is interior design courses hard? ›

Challenges for Interior Design Students

The hardest part of earning a degree in interior design is passing your collegiate-level interior design classes. While many of the classes will be challenging, you will be able to pass them if you use all of the resources at your disposal.

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How many years does it take to study interior design in South Africa? ›

All the educational institutions we've provided are approved and accredited by the South African Department of Education. All of them offer a minimum of a three-year full-time course in interior design, interior architecture or interior decorating.

Is it hard to get into interior design? ›

Interior designers, particularly those starting out, may find it difficult to get hired without existing work experience. The trouble is, of course, that it is impossible to gain experience without doing work. Many new interior designers start out by practicing their craft for free.

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What qualifications do I need to be an interior designer in South Africa? ›

Graduates with a bachelor's degree or diploma would most likely begin a one to three year apprenticeship programme at a design or architecture firm and work under the supervision of an experienced interior designer. Graduates with a certificate would usually start their career as an assistant to an interior designer.

What is a interior designer salary in South Africa? ›

Find out what the average Interior Designer salary is

The average interior designer salary in South Africa is R 240 000 per year or R 123 per hour. Entry-level positions start at R 150 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to R 426 600 per year.

Know More ›

Is interior design a lot of math? ›

A designer must be able to calculate the dimensions of rooms, as well as the amount of fabric needed for drapes and furnishings. For furniture, fixtures, and artwork, they must be able to calculate angles, diameters, and perimeters. These skills can be learned through basic math courses or even geometry courses.

Keep Reading ›

What is the hardest part of interior design? ›

7 Challenges Interior Design Firms Struggle With

Keeping up with Social Media.
Building Workflow Automation.
Managing Client Expectations (and Communication)
Communicating with Your Team.
Filling the Pipeline.
Sourcing Products.
Clients Shopping You.

View Details ›

Is interior design harder than architecture? ›

Having good artistic skills and a creative instinct is important for both courses, however if your aptitude for maths or physics isn't great, then interior design may be a more straightforward route to take. But be aware, there are many schools of architecture, so don't rule it out.

What is the best university to study interior design in South Africa? ›

At the University of Johannesburg interior design students develop the ability to solve design-related problems in divergent and creative ways.

Learn More Now ›

Is interior design in demand in South Africa? ›

The interior design profession in South Africa has seen remarkable growth in recent years. As the field encompasses creativity and practicality, it offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional development.

Learn More ›

What qualification do you need to be an interior designer? ›

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject like: interior design. art and design. interior architecture.

Discover More ›

Do you make a lot of money in interior design? ›

As an interior designer working as an employee for an already established firm in the United States, you can expect to start around $50,000 to $60,000 in your first year, and usually, after about 5 years of experience, you can expect to make around $80,000 – $92,000.