Diploma in Interior Design at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The programme aims to produce interior designers who will be competent to design the working spaces or living environments of people so that they are more efficient, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. The focus is on the re-use of existing buildings or installations in new buildings of a variety of types but most particularly the commercial field. Design exercises are augmented by the study of interior design theory, history of interior design, soft furnishings, marketing, retail design, shop fitting, space planning and related construction technologies and building services.

Faculty: Engineering, the Built Environment and Technology | Duration: 3 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The published curriculum is an NQF Level 6 qualification of 368 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Interior Designer.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Minimum APS: 310. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Minimum NSC statutory requirements for diploma entry must be met. An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy requires a minimum Applicant Score of 310. A minimum admission requirement for Mathematics and Technical Mathematics must be 30% and for Mathematical Literacy 50%. Admission is subject to Departmental selection. NSC subjects like Visual Arts, and Design are given priority during selection of candidates. Qualifying applicants will be required to prepare a prescribed portfolio, attend an interview and complete a placement assessment. Selection is based on the submission of a creative portfolio of work, comprising drawings, sketches and other creative or technical projects, as outlined by the Department as well as an interview with the department’s staff to discuss the creative portfolio. International applicants who are unable to present themselves for an interview must courier the portfolio or send an electronic copy with a covering letter to the department. The final selection of applicants will only be finalised after the Grade 12 results have been received by Admissions and the Department.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

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