Higher Certificate in Graphic Design Course Requirements at CTU
CTU Training Solutions · Faculty of Design
The Higher Certificate in Graphic Design is a higher Certificate offered by CTU for 2027 learners, taking 1 year (12 months) full-time or part-time to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Higher Certificate in Graphic Design at CTU
- A National Senior Certificate, Senior Certificate or NCV at NQF Level 4
- No portfolio or previous design subjects are required
About this course
A one-year higher certificate (SAQA ID 110785, NQF Level 5, 120 credits) that covers the basics of graphic design and visual communication. You learn design principles and industry design tools, and practise creating layouts, branding elements and digital content. You can study through day classes (full-time, a blend of on-campus and virtual learning) or evening and Saturday classes (part-time). Distance learning is also listed.
The programme includes the Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design and Illustration using Adobe Illustrator. After completing it you can progress into the Diploma in Visual Communication, so it works well for learners who want to test their interest in design, or who have a higher certificate pass, before committing to a longer qualification.
CTU keeps classes small and teaches through real projects, so you get plenty of hands-on work and contact with lecturers. You finish with a national qualification plus internationally recognised vendor certifications, a combination employers look for. Check with your nearest campus that the programme runs there in the study mode you want.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Higher Certificate in Graphic Design
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Higher Certificate in Graphic Design doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list as a Junior Graphic Designer. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like CTU. Ask CTU directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
CTU’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with CTU and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through CTU's registration portal (full-time) or the part-time and distance application portal, or visit your nearest campus. You will need a certified ID copy and your highest school or post-school results. CTU has two intakes a year, in February and July, and you can book an Open Day or speak to a career consultant on WhatsApp 083 825 9366 before you register.
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View all Courses at CTU
- Duration
- 1 year (12 months) full-time or part-time
- NQF Level
- 5
- Fees
- CTU does not publish fees online; request a formal quote from a campus or the contact centre on 0861 100 395.
- Application deadline
- Intakes in February and July; apply before the intake fills
- Campus
- Menlyn Campus, Pretoria
- Boksburg Campus, Boksburg
- Roodepoort Campus, Roodepoort
- Three Rivers Campus, Vereeniging
- Cresta Campus, Johannesburg
- Century City Campus, Cape Town
- Stellenbosch Campus, Stellenbosch
- Gqeberha Campus, Gqeberha
- Bloemfontein Campus, Bloemfontein
- Potchefstroom Campus, Potchefstroom
- Durban Campus, Durban
- Polokwane Campus, Polokwane
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Related courses
Source: Official website: https://ctutraining.ac.za/qualifications/higher-certificate-graphic-design/, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with CTU Training Solutions before applying.