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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decorating 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93621  Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decorating 
ORIGINATOR
Potchefstroom Akademie (Edms) Bpk/Potchefstroom Academy (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Design Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners to successfully enter the field of interior designing. Study material is set-out in clear modules according to the particular theme. Therefore, this learner friendly material assists learners to master the contents in a comfortable, understandable and highly effective method. This further allows learners to reach the outcomes of each module. As the outcomes are clearly listed in each of the modules covering historical information as well as current trends (e.g. available software, etc), the learner can evaluate himself/herself with regard to competence to complete assignments or gain entry for examinations. All marks allocated contribute to a participation mark determining a final mark towards the end of the year of study.

Furthermore, the qualification is designed in such a manner that learner assistance from lecturers on campus is readily available via e-mail, ordinary mail, fax or telephonically. These measures ensure that each learner has the opportunity to fully own the facts regarding each module and achieving all outcomes as stipulated.

Our assessment methods and clear feedback assist learners to overcome misunderstanding regarding the work. We further make use of ITV (instructional television) to allow the learner to benefit from visual explanation by the relevant lecturers.

Rationale:
This Certificate allows access to the field of interior decorating for learners who communicate visually, artistically and are explorative. The field of interior decorating is not limited to advertising, designing and decorating. Nearly all fields and corporate businesses currently employ interior decorators to create a comfortable environment to enhance sales and client satisfaction. This improves, for example, the shopping experience of the client, which is beneficial to any business or industry. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Any prospective learner may apply for recognition of prior learning for this qualification as the Academy has a comprehensive RPL policy and procedure in place.

Entry Requirements:
Learners enrolling for the qualification must have a:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate with Matriculation exemption.
    Or
  • National Senior Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of 20 compulsory modules of 6 Credits each at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.
    Modules:
  • History of Interior Design.
  • Style.
  • Design Principles and Design Elements.
  • Colour.
  • Plan of Action.
  • Lighting.
  • Wall finishes and Paint Effects.
  • Flooring.
  • Textiles.
  • Window treatments.
  • Architectural Wall Details, Finishes and Ceilings.
  • Soft Furnishings.
  • Artwork, Framing and Hanging.
  • Plants and Planters.
  • The Living Room.
  • Bedrooms.
  • Kitchens.
  • Bathrooms.
  • Accessories and Styling.
  • Building a Home. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, interpret and apply the different design principles, elements and use of colour to integrate the history of interior design into one's own unique style.
    2. Effectively analyse, plan and illustrate the interior of a room in terms of lighting, wall finishes, paint effects, flooring, use of textiles and window treatments.
    3. Describe, interpret, plan and effectively incorporate architectural wall details and finishes, soft furnishings, artwork, framing and plants into a designed living room.
    4. Effectively plan and illustrate the decoration of certain rooms in a house by integrating all previous Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Range: Bedrooms, kitchens and bathroom. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The history of interior design is explained and demonstrated.
  • The various styles of interior design are implemented in own personal style.
  • The different design principles and design elements are explained, demonstrated and implemented in own design.
  • The science, theory and properties of colour are explained and effectively used in own design.
  • The intended room is surveyed, drawn to scale and budgeted for.
  • Realistic time frames and effective management skills are demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The physiological and psychological effects of lighting are interpreted and incorporated into own design.
  • Lighting as a design medium is illustrated.
    > Range: To include the primary sources of light, the application of various types of designed lighting in residential and commercial interiors.
  • The dual role of paint, i.e. covering and creativity, is demonstrated and incorporated into own design.
    > Range: Painting techniques, effects, finishes and textured wall finishes.
  • The vast array of flooring options available is explained and effectively implemented into own design.
    > Range: Natural, man-made, carpets, marble, porcelain, wood, sisal and brick.
  • The various methods of fabric construction, types of weaves, printing and dyeing techniques are explained and identified.
  • The different types of window treatments must be explained and applied.
  • The mechanics of window hardware and calculation quantities of fabric are identified, effectively calculated and incorporated into one's own design.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The shell of a room is decorated in a particular style or theme.
    > Range: To include painting, textiles, wall finishes and decorative mouldings.
  • Soft furnishings are chosen, selected and effectively placed to create a comfortable and friendly environment.
  • The artwork, framing and hanging of finishing touches, plants and planters are selected and effectively incorporated into own design.
  • Elements comprising the decoration of a living room are identified, analysed and integrated into own design.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The effective designing and decoration for bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms are planned and illustrated.
  • The interior of the home is sufficiently accessorised.
  • A proper budget is set and adhered to throughout the project.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All assessments for this qualification are based on the qualification and module outcomes. The assessment for each module requires learners to submit projects for evaluation. This will assess the learner's ability to interpret information and implement it in practice.

    Formative and Summative Assessment:
    Learner competency is assessed through presentation of completed projects, written assignments and research papers. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decorating, NQF Level 5, was compared to several international interior design and interior decorating qualifications in other countries internationally. The Senior College Dun Laoghaire, Dublin Institute of Design, in Ireland and the HKU SPACE community College in the United Kingdom each offer a Higher Diploma in Interior Design.

    Other institutions that offer similar qualifications are the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, Interior Designers Institute and Harrington College of Design, both in the United States of America and the Florence Design Academy in Florence, Italy. Analysis of these qualifications indicates similarity to the Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decoration, NQF Level 5, in terms of general course content, duration of courses, presentation levels and methods of presentation.

    A comprehensive search of possible interior decoration and design courses offered at tertiary level in the SADC countries yielded no positive results. No equivalent or related qualifications were found to be offered in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia or Zimbabwe.

    Conclusion:
    The qualifications from the selected institutions compare favourably with the Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decorating in terms of duration, similar modules and practical components that constitute the Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decorating. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with any similar Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5 that focuses on interior design or decorating such as:
  • Higher Certificate in Interior Design and Decoration.
  • Higher Certificate in Project Design.

    It articulates vertically with:
  • Diploma in Interior Decorating and Design at NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Interior Design at NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Project Design at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Potchefstroom Akademie (Edms) Bpk/Potchefstroom Academy (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.