A month ago,I got an email from a form four leaver who is aspiring to pursue a certificate in interior design. Since then, I have been in touch with graduates of interior design from various universities and colleges in Kenya in a bid to know which colleges offer the best certificate and diploma courses in Interior Design.
You know, interior design is a skill unique skill which is possessed by few Kenyans. In this career, if you are good you are good, people will come for you. I also like the fact that when an opportunity arises you negotiate based on your client’s pockets and not market rates.
The sad thing is that the best interior design colleges are located in Nairobi, though others are situated in Eldoret, Kisumu,Nakuru and Mombasa.
If you are looking for the best place to acquire excellent skills, here are the colleges to join:
- Evelyn College
The name itself looks sexy,which rhymes with interior design career—it’s all about beauty.Evelyn college has been around for over 5 years and has since risen to become the best college for Interior Design certificate courses.The school also offers higher diploma course in Interior Design.
Here is all about Interior Design Certificate course at the college
Evelyn College offers Certificate courses in the following areas.
- Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction
- Interior Design
- Textile Design
- Jewellery Design
- Fine Art and Oil Painting
- Glass Engraving
The duration of the part time courses is 3/6 months with weekly classes.
Eligibility: Applicants should have completed and successfully obtained at least an “O” level qualification or its equivalent.
Selection Procedure: Aptitude test, academic background and personal interviews.
Application procedure: Application forms can be acquired from the college office for Ksh 5000 along with the prospectus. Filled in forms should be deposited in the college office by the stipulated date.
To join the college for a Diploma course, you have to follow the following procedure:
Eligibility: Applicants should have completed and successfully obtained at least an “O” level qualification or its equivalent.
Selection Procedure: Aptitude test, academic background and personal interviews.
Application procedure: Application forms can be acquired from the college office for Ksh 5000 along with the prospectus. Filled in forms should be deposited in the college office by the stipulated date.
- Technical University of Kenya
When I was in high school,my goal was to join Technical University of Kenya for a diploma in electrical and electronics engineering.I always heard people praising it .Even after I completed high school, I was eager to join the college but HELB and JAB snatched me.Even so,I would like to encourage students to make TUK their first choice, especially if they are enrolling for diploma courses. One thing I like about TUK is that they always mean business, there is no mediocrity in the institution-which is why diploma graduates from the college outclass degree holders from universities.
Diploma in Interior Design is one of the many courses offered by the institution. The minimum grade you should score in High School so as to join TUK is c plain.
- University of Nairobi
If you happened to score at least a C+ in KCSE and you intend to enroll for a degree in Interior Design,join The University of Nairobi.It’s common knowledge that UoN is the best university in Kenya. By joining the institution, it means you’ll get leverage over your peers from other colleges.
Admission requirements for the course are as follows:
Admission Requirements
- KCSE Mean C+ or equivalent and an overrall mean of C+ in each of the 3 cluster below:
- Mathematics
- English/Kiswahili
- Any cluster III – Art and Design, Homescience, Woodwork, Metalwork, Building and Construction, Drawing and Design, Agriculture OR
- Any cluster IV- History & Government, Geography, CRE, Social Education & Ethics, Music, French.
- K.C.S.E. mean grade C – or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant discipline from a recognized institution
- O Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant discipline from a recognized institution
- KCSE mean grade C and a Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institution
- A Level with two principal passes, IB or equivalent in relevant subjects
- Degree from a recognized University.
I don’t want to do guesswork because I don’t know much about other colleges. What I know is that if you select one of the three colleges, your career will be as smooth as a highway.
In terms of fees, you’ll need Ksh 100,000 for certificate course, Ksh200, 000 for diploma course and Ksh 500,000 for a degree course. Certificate course takes at most one year, diploma one and half years and a degree course 4 years