Emma Minkley
Lecturer
Diploma in Graphics Design
Accreditation: Three-Year Diploma | NQF Level 6 | 360 Credits | SAQA ID: 49863
3 Years, full-time
NQF Level 6
360 credits
SAQA ID 49863
Overview
The Diploma in Graphic Design at Ruth Prowse School of Art builds designers who can think clearly and make well. From your first project brief, you learn to work to deadlines, develop concepts under pressure, and produce finished, professional-standard design work, because that is what the industry demands. Communication design, illustration, desktop publishing and print media are woven together from year one, balanced with the design theory that sharpens why you make the choices you do. We are looking for visual thinkers ready to turn ideas into work that holds its own in a professional context.
Key Programme Facts
- Faculty
- Graphic Design
- Duration
- 3 Years
- Credits
- 360 Credits
- Language
- English
About the Programme
Your first year gives you a broad foundation across communication design, illustration, drawing, printmaking and photography, and desktop publishing using Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, run alongside visual discourse. In your second year, you build a communication design major, supported by illustration as a second major, and go deeper into DTP, digital photography and design discourse. Studio classes stay small, so you get individualised attention as your work sharpens. You learn through project briefs, critique, demonstrations and studio practice, guided by mentors who are practising designers working in the industry today.
- Duration: 3 Years (Full-Time)
- Total Credits: 360 Credits (NQF Level 6 | SAQA ID: 49863)
- Language: English is the official language
Core Curriculum Topics
- Communication Design and Visual Identity.
- Desktop Publishing (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
- Illustration and Observational Drawing.
- Printmaking and Digital Photography.
- Design Discourse, Cultural Studies and Design Theory.
- Professional Practice, Entrepreneurial Skills and Portfolio Curation.
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum moves from a broad first-year foundation across the design disciplines into focused specialisation. From year two, a communication design major runs alongside a second major in illustration, sharpening both your conceptual thinking and your technical execution. Your third year is spent building an independent, professional body of design work, supported by an extended research essay.
Breakdown & Core Courses
To qualify for the undergraduate diploma, you must successfully complete a total of 360 credits broken down over three years of contact learning:
Year 1
120 credits| Module | Credits | NQF |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Communication Design | 42 | 5 |
| Foundation Desktop Publishing (DTP) | 18 | 5 |
| Foundation Drawing & Illustration | 18 | 5 |
| Foundation Printmaking & Photography | 24 | 5 |
| Visual Discourse | 18 | 5 |
Year 2
120 credits| Module | Credits | NQF |
|---|---|---|
| Specialisation Communication Design Major | 60 | 6 |
| Specialisation Illustration (Second Major) | 24 | 6 |
| Specialisation DTP & Digital Photography | 12 | 6 |
| Design Discourse | 18 | 7 |
| Specialisation Professional Practice | 6 | 6 |
Year 3
120 credits| Module | Credits | NQF |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Body of Work Illustration Major | 6 | 6 |
| Professional Body of Work Communication Design Major | 63 | 6 |
| Professional Body of Work Professional Portfolio & DTP | 9 | 6 |
| Professional Body of Work Extended Essay | 30 | 7 |
| Professional Body of Work Professional Practice | 12 | 7 |
Taught by practising designers
Lecturers
James Labuschagne
Lecturer
Ferdinand Kidd
Lecturer
Programme Costs
As a non-profit public benefit organisation, Ruth Prowse School of Art sets highly competitive tuition fees to actively facilitate access and address past educational imbalances. While the school supplies substantive materials and consumables for daily operations, students should budget independently for their personal creative production. Crucially, all creative work produced throughout the course belongs entirely to the student.
| Fees | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | R0There are no application fees |
| Registration Fee | R12,000Non-refundable; required to secure placement upon acceptance and included in the total annual tuition fee. |
| Tuition Fees | First Year GD Fees are R85,290. Second and Third Year GD Fees are R83,696. These include the Registration Fee. Please note that a 10% administration levy applies to international students from non-SADC countries. |
Payment Plans & Early Settlements
Our fees are designed to stay transparent, competitive and accessible for students from diverse backgrounds. Settle early for a discount, pay by the standard deadline, or apply for a monthly instalment plan.
- Full Settlement Discounts
- Receive a 10% discount if annual fees are paid in full by 15 January, or a 5% discount if settled by 15 February.
- Standard Payment Deadline
- Fees must be settled in full by 30 May annually
- Extended Monthly Plan
- An optional 9-month installment plan is available from February to October upon written board approval at the start of the year.
Scholarships & Financial Assistance
An extensive, need-based scholarship programme is available to provide full, substantive, or partial tuition support to deserving talent from previously disadvantaged communities. Funding may also be sourced to assist with creative materials and transport costs. Continued renewal of financial aid relies on maintaining a class attendance record of at least 80% and an academic average above 65%.
Fees & funding FAQsApply Now
Kickstart your creative career without upfront costs. Submit your application digitally or connect directly with our admissions team on WhatsApp.
Requirements and Deadlines
Joining the Ruth Prowse School of Art community begins with showcasing your unique creative potential and meeting our foundational academic benchmarks. Because we maintain small class sizes to ensure highly individualised attention, the school accepts a strictly limited number of students each academic year. To give your application the best chance of success, make sure to submit your original practical portfolio, written essay, and supporting academic documents well ahead of key dates to secure your place.
Admissions Requirements
Standard Academic Criteria
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 with Diploma access. Applicants must achieve at least 40% in three fundamental subjects (including English) and at least 50% in three compulsory vocational subjects.
Mature Students (Aged 23 or older)
- Candidates who do not meet standard academic criteria can apply via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway by submitting a detailed Portfolio of Evidence, a CV, and attending an interview.
International Students
- Must possess a valid study visa prior to the commencement of formal classes.
Required Application Documents
- A completed RPSA Application Form
- A certified copy of your ID or Passport
- A copy of your National Senior Certificate or latest interim Grade 12 results
The Practical Portfolio
- 5–8 original artworks (portraiture, self-portrait, landscapes, still life, or 3D pieces) that display your conceptual capability and your handling of mixed or traditional media.
The Written Essay
- A document answering three specific questions: Why do you want to study at RPSA? Why Graphic Design? Tell us about an artist or artwork you love.
Application Deadlines
- General Course Applications
- RPSA accepts a strictly limited number of students per year to maintain small class sizes; early application is highly recommended to secure a place.
- Scholarship Application Deadline
- Applications for financial assistance and scholarships must be submitted by 31 October annually.
Not ready for three years?
Try a Graphic Design short course
Graphic Design
Spring 2026 LOGO DESIGN
By the end of the session, students will digitise their chosen concept, transforming a sketch into a functional, versatile logo.
New dates coming soon
R660
View course
