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Occupational Certificate

Graphic Design & Media

National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer

  • Graduates earn R286,000 a year
  • NQF Level 4, SAQA ID 122663
  • 12–15 months, online and live
Apply nowSpeak to an advisor

What you will work with

CapCut
  • Figma
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InDesign
  • After Effects
  • Premiere Pro
  • Canva
  • CapCut
Course length
12–15 months
Requirements
Grade 10 or NQF Level 3, plus basic computer literacy
Certificate
Confirmed before the first intake
Learning style
Online and live
Start date
17 Mar 2027
Applications close
10 Mar 2027

About the occupational certificate

This graphic design course is the QCTO's National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer, taught by Zaio Institute of Technology over 12 to 15 months, online and live. You cover design principles, visual content, photography, videography and design technology from the national curriculum, then Zaio modules in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Canva, CapCut, motion design and AI design tools, building a portfolio from the first module to the EISA.

Entry is Grade 10 or an NQF Level 3 qualification, basic computer literacy and a laptop that runs design software. Tuition is paid upfront or financed monthly; the QCTO issues the certificate.

Curriculum

What the qualification covers.

01Knowledge Modules (85 Credits)

15 modules

The foundations of visual design, extended with Zaio Theory (ZTGMD) modules for the modern content designer.

  • Basic Elements and Principles of Design (10 Credits)
  • Principles of Visual Content Development (25 Credits)
  • Principles of Photography & Videography for Visual Content Developers (15 Credits)
  • Principles of Design Technology used by Visual Content Developers (25 Credits)
  • Business Communication and Administration (10 Credits)

02Practical Skill Modules (45 Credits)

4 modules

Every practical module has you shipping real design work.

  • Assess the Target Market to Determine Media Client, User and Audience Preferences and Requirements (10 Credits)
  • Conduct Pre-Production Processes in Preparation of Creating Different Media Mediums (15 Credits)
  • Create and Produce Media in Various Mediums for Specific Purposes, Clients, or Audiences (15 Credits)
  • Conduct Business Supervisory and Administration Functions (5 Credits)

03Work Experience Modules (30 Credits)

4 modules

Build a professional design portfolio in real workplace settings.

  • Assess the Workplace Target Market to Determine Media Client, User and Audience Preferences and Requirements (6 Credits)
  • Conduct Pre-Production Processes in a Workplace in Preparation of Creating Graphic Media Content (10 Credits)
  • Create and Produce Media in a Workplace in Preferred Medium for Specific Purposes, Clients, or Audiences (10 Credits)
  • Observe and Report on Business Supervisory and Administration Functions (4 Credits)

Every module, and what it is worth in credits

In the 2027 learner prospectus. Read it here, or download the PDF.

View the prospectus

Tools you will use

  • Figma
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • InDesign
  • After Effects
  • Premiere Pro
  • Canva
  • CapCut

How the time is spent

  1. Part 1

    Theory modules (runs with Part 2, theory exam)

  2. Part 2

    Practical training (workbook, observation and assessment)

  3. Part 3

    Workplace modules (real client / studio work)

  4. External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA)

The difference

What makes this different.

Most design programmes teach the software. Zaio's modules have you making work people scroll back to see, in every format a brand needs:

160
Credits
23
Modules
10
Zaio-exclusive

Registered on the NQF at Level 4 (SAQA ID 122663) and issued by the QCTO after the EISA, with the modern design toolstack on top.

A portfolio from day one

You'll build a real portfolio throughout the qualification — brand identities, motion posts, video edits, UI screens. Employers hire from portfolios, not certificates.

Beyond the curriculum

Where standard QCTO programmes stop at design principles, you'll master the full modern toolstack — Adobe CC, Figma, Canva, CapCut, plus the AI tools reshaping the industry.

AI-native design

Learn how to use Midjourney, Firefly, Runway and Sora to produce professional creative in a fraction of the time. Not to replace design taste — to amplify it.

Motion first

Modern content is motion content. You'll graduate comfortable in After Effects, Premiere and CapCut — the skills every brand and agency is scrambling to hire.

Outcomes

Where this takes you.

Graduates work as graphic designers, motion and content designers and junior art directors, in agencies, in-house or freelance.

Career paths
  • Graphic Media Designer
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Social Media Designer
  • Visual Content Creator
  • Junior Brand Designer
  • Freelance Designer
  • Junior UI Designer
Progression paths
  • Senior Designer
  • Art Director
  • Creative Director
  • Brand Lead
  • Studio Founder
  • Content Studio Owner
Universal skills that enhance any role
  • Visual literacy
  • Storytelling
  • Attention to detail
  • Client presentation
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Rapid iteration

Faculty

Who teaches it.

All instructors

  • Instructor to be announced

    School of Business & Marketing

    Teaches

    Business development, marketing and design

  • Instructor to be announced

    School of Business & Marketing

    Teaches

    Business development, marketing and design

Tuition

What it costs, and how you pay.

Pay by year

  • UpfrontR67,850
  • EISA exam fee not included (approx. R6,000)

Paid year by year as you progress, with the national EISA exam fee at the end.

Speak to an advisor

Pay monthly — flexible financing

R6,615 a month

Spread across the 12–15 months you are studying. Financed through Manati, up to 100% of tuition, so you can start without paying it all upfront. Approval is theirs, and every cost is confirmed in writing before you enrol.

See financing options

Ready to start

Applications close
10 Mar 2027
Starts
17 Mar 2027

Who can apply

  • Grade 10 or NQF Level 3, plus basic computer literacy
  • Access to a laptop capable of running design software
Apply now

Takes about five minutes.

FAQ

Questions about the Graphic Design & Media occupational certificate.

Ask an advisor
(01)Is this graphic design course accredited?
Zaio Technology (Pty) Ltd, trading as Zaio Institute of Technology, is a QCTO-accredited Skills Development Provider. This particular qualification is not yet on our accreditation letters, so we make no accreditation claim for it here. Ask an advisor where it stands before you apply.
(02)Can I study graphic design without matric?
Yes. The entry requirement is Grade 10 or NQF Level 3, basic computer literacy and a laptop that can run design software.
(03)How long is the graphic design course?
Eighteen months, combining theory, practical training, workplace modules with real client or studio work, and the national EISA exam.
(04)Which software will I learn?
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro and After Effects; Figma; Canva; CapCut; and AI design and video tools such as Midjourney.
(05)What does it cost?
R67,850 upfront, or from R6,615 a month, plus the EISA exam fee of about R6,000 paid separately.
(06)Is graphic design still worth it with AI?
Yes, for designers who use AI. The programme teaches AI image and video tools as part of the toolstack, alongside the design principles, brand thinking and motion skills that decide whether the output is any good.
(07)Is NQF Level 4 the same as matric?
NQF Level 4 is the level of matric. This is a National Occupational Certificate at Level 4, a nationally registered occupational qualification, not a diploma or a degree.
(08)Will I get a job?
Zaio does not guarantee a job. You graduate with a national qualification and a professional portfolio, and career services help with your portfolio, CV and interviews.
(09)Who can apply?
Grade 10 or NQF Level 3, plus basic computer literacy Access to a laptop capable of running design software You apply online and an advisor will confirm you meet the entry rules before you enrol.
(10)How long does it take?
12–15 months, made up of part 1 (theory modules (runs with part 2, theory exam)), part 2 (practical training (workbook, observation and assessment)), part 3 (workplace modules (real client / studio work)), external integrated summative assessment (eisa) ().
(11)What do I graduate with?
National Occupational Certificate: Graphic Media Designer, NQF Level 4 (SAQA ID 122663). Zaio is accredited by the QCTO, so the qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework.
(12)When does it start?
Applications close 10 Mar 2027 and the programme starts 17 Mar 2027.
(13)How do I apply?
choose a programme, apply online, speak to an advisor, secure your place. The application itself takes about five minutes.

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