IIE Masters in Design Leadership - (Distance)

Admission requirements

Minimum Admission Requirements:

• An appropriate HEQSF Level 8 Honours degree; OR
• A relevant Postgraduate Diploma or appropriate equivalent; OR
• An appropriate Level 8 Bachelor’s Degree (480 credits) may also be recognised as meeting the minimum entry requirements to a cognate Master’s Degree programme.
• An overall qualification average of at least 60%.
• Alternatively, a minimum of three years relevant work experience.
• All candidates to be interviewed by the Programme Manager to ensure alignment between the candidate and programme
• For international qualifications: A SAQA NQF L8 Evaluation Certificate in an appropriate field

Additional Admission Requirements:

Students need to have completed an NQF level 8 qualification in a design related field, e.g., Design Leadership, Communication Design, Digital/Multimedia Design, Experience Design, Interaction Design, Fashion Design and related design fields such as Design Thinking, Future Studies and Social Innovation Design.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, Emeris may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).

If applicant does not meet minimum admission requirements and there is no alternative (such as completion of NQP modules) but they have relevant experience, the following must be requested:

1. Certificates for all formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc). SAQA certificates must be provided for any international qualifications.

2. CV to determine whether the following are related to the qualification that the applicant is applying for:

a. Formal (Accredited Higher Education qualifications) and/or informal qualifications/modules (SLP’s, Microcredentials etc).

b. Relevant work experience.

The programme is approved by the CHE and pending registration with SAQA and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

*Accredited - awaiting SAQA registration and DHET listing but approval granted by DHET to advertise.

Curriculum

The IIE Masters in Design Leadership consists of five modules.

Year 1 – semester 1

Design, Innovation and Leadership Discourse

Year 1 – semester 2

Design Research Practice

Design Management and Leadership Practice

Year 2 – semester 3

Design Leadership Challenge

Minor Dissertation

Year 2 – semester 4

Minor Dissertation

The two theory modules Design, Innovation and Leadership Discourse and Design Management and Leadership Practice, further students’ specialist knowledge in design, with a focus on leadership and management skills and insights that should enable students to become thought leaders and develop design-led solutions.

The Design Research Practice module provides theoretical and practical exposure to the latest processes of enquiry used in design and design research.

The Design Leadership Challenge provides a practical opportunity for students to advance their design thinking skills when planning and developing solutions and insights that address complex and challenging problems in business and society. Students work in their own design areas at the appropriate levels within a system and need to demonstrate the ability to address the intended and unintended consequences of interventions and solutions. This module allows for experimentation and innovative development.

In the Minor Dissertation, students use academic and professional discourses to investigate, communicate and defend research ideas and findings that contribute to their own research skills, and their area of specialisation. Both research modules contribute to equip students with the ability to research and communicate evidence-based design decisions and solutions to different audiences. All the modules develop independent and critical thinking, accountability for self and teams and the level of ethical professional practice required at managerial levels.

Articulation options

Students who successfully complete The IIE Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Design Leadership (HDEL0801) , IIE Brand Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Interior Design (HID0801) or the IIE Postgraduate Diploma in User Experience Design (PEXD0801) are eligible to articulate into the IIE Master of Design Leadership (MDEL0901).

Study further with our pathways

The successful completion of the IIE of Design Leadership (MDEL0901) enables you to progress into the IIE Doctor of Philosophy in Brand Leadership (DBPL611).

Accreditation

The IIE Master of Design Leadership (MDEL0901) is accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF 9) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA ID).*

*The programme is approved by the CHE and pending registration with SAQA and the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Career opportunities

An IIE Master’s degree leads to academic roles such as teaching, research, or doctoral studies. The IIE Master of Design Leadership (MDEL0901) builds career pathways for those involved and interested in Design Leadership Positions. If you're considering this path, it's best to speak with a postgraduate advisor.

Jobs in this field:

Design leads and managers in design businesses and advertising agencies

Design leads, project leads, or senior In-house designers in "non-design" sectors such as finance, engineering, NGOs, education, government

Owners of design enterprises

Design and creative entrepreneurs

Freelancers

Design-based entrepreneurs

Design lecturers and supervisors

Design researchers

Social innovators

Managers applying design thinking

Developers of design-led solutions

Teaching and Learning strategy

At Emeris, we believe that effective teaching is about creating experiences that foster student growth. Our academic team design activities that challenge students and identify their strengths, allowing for real-time adaptation in the learning journey. By combining subject expertise with teaching insights and digital tools, we extend learning beyond the classroom. This approach ensures students not only keep up but thrive.

On-Campus written examination venue information

There are no written-on campus exams for the IIE Master of Design Leadership (MDEL0901).