The first courses in the School of Art and Design were introduced at the Vaal Triangle College for Advanced Technological Education (VTCATE) in 1978, with the launch of the National Diploma in Graphic Design. That year, 13 students enrolled, and three graduated at the end of 1980. In 1979, a part-time two-year Certificate in Studio Pottery was also introduced. Although this was not a national certificate, it was locally tailored to meet the needs of a large and active group of local ceramicists.

In subsequent years, a National Diploma in Ceramics was introduced, followed by National Diplomas in Photography and Fashion Design. In 1983, students could enrol for the National Diploma in Fine Arts by first completing the Basic Course offered in their first year of study. For the first 12 years of the School of Art and Design’s existence, all students regardless of their chosen diploma were required to complete all Basic Course subjects in the first year. The emphasis was placed on drawing and design, and included subjects such as Object, Constructional and Life Drawing; Form and Colour Studies; Lettering; History of Art; Perceptual Studies; and Space and Volume Studies.

In 2004, South African higher education was restructured. Technikons were converted into Universities of Technology, and some traditional universities merged with other institutions. Although the former Vaal Triangle Technikon did not merge with any institution, it did inherit the Vista Campus in Sebokeng.

Over the past 16 years (2004 to 2020), the department has developed new qualifications, including three-year Diplomas in Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, and Graphic Design. These diplomas articulate into one-year Advanced Diplomas in the respective fields, followed by Postgraduate Diplomas in Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, or Graphic Design.

Further postgraduate studies can be pursued through the Master of Arts (MA) in Visual Arts, with a specialisation in Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, or Graphic Design (two years), and subsequently the PhD in Visual Arts (three years) or a Doctorate in Photography (three years).

The previous qualifications in Fine Art, Fashion, Photography, and Graphic Design, namely the National Diploma, BTech, MTech, and DTech—have been phased out as of 2017.