Master of Interior Design

Master of Interior Design

POSTGRADUATE

Design interiors to transform the future of how we live.

Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Range of criteria

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Part-time 4 years
Fees:

AU$39,360 (2024 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$46,080 (2024 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Master of Interior Design will provide you with an opportunity to position yourself in relation to current interior design practice through collaboration with clients, industry and a network of peers.

With an emphasis on ideas and a design-led approach to research and experimentation, the knowledge and skills you develop in this course will enable you to work in a range of practices, and to engage interior design as an agent of social and cultural change.

Graduates of this course will be highly effective team contributors with strong communication and technical skills. You will learn how to be a valuable contributor through the process of developing a collective response to real industry briefs. You will engage with clients (encompassing commercial, institutional, civic and social organisations) and industry practice partners (interior design and associated design practices) together with the student cohort on live projects and challenges.

With a strong focus on design challenges affecting the broader Australasian region, you will also have opportunities to undertake global intensives to locations within Asia.

Why choose the Master of Interior Design at RMIT?

Experienced educators

Learn from leading local and international academics as well as practising designers in small classes and design studios.

Global focus

Gain an international perspective with the opportunity to engage in global projects, study tours and global intensive design studios.

Industry connections

Build relationships before you graduate by undertaking collaborations with clients, industry and peers on live projects.

Details

In this master's degree, you will take your theoretical and practical knowledge to a new level, combining research, creative studios and an advanced understanding of the discipline of interior design.

You'll be taught by academics and professional leaders of industry, and be given the opportunity to build upon your practice and work closely with industry.

The Master of Interior Design will provide you with a diverse range of learning experiences, combining learning through designing, doing and making, experimentation, self-directed research, analysis, reflection and discussion with peer and industry interactions. 

Learning and teaching


Design studio-based learning sits at the core of this course, and is supported by workshops, excursions, collaborative projects and interactive class activities. The studios are viewed as intensive design laboratories in which academics, professional partners and students develop creative strategies, innovative approaches and unique responses to contemporary interior design issues. Studios are organised as a series of workshops, master classes, tutorials, presentations, intensive symposia, travel intensives and exhibitions.

You will learn how to constructively critique your own work and that of others. Project proposals and presentations will be directly related to industry-specific needs, and will involve collaborating with industry practitioners on contemporary issues in the field.

You will attend approximately 12 hours of classes per week, combined with intensive self-directed extra study or research per week.

You will have access to online resources through the student portal.

Assessment methods


The assessment you undertake will be designed so that you can receive ongoing feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement.

This approach will enable you to improve on your performance throughout the course, as well as continue to refine capabilities for your professional practice and lifelong learning.

Both the project produced in your final semester and your portfolio will form a capstone experience, designed as a culmination of your learning throughout this degree.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

The industry-partnered studio works with a range of organisations that will change each semester to provide diversity and project context.

These will include commercial, civic, institutional and social projects. Through this engagement, you are given opportunities to connect with senior interior designers and leading global companies.

You will have the option of global mobility, enabling you to experience global projects and study tours to support your research and creative design ideas.

You’ll also have the opportunity to choose design studios that require overseas travel, to work with students from international universities.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

Year 1

During the first year, you will undertake two industry-partnered interior design studios and two core subjects that will operate as a direct support to the partnered design studio project, providing opportunities to refine specific skills and design techniques. These include communication (written, verbal and visual), technologies (manufacturing, materials, and experiential) as they are relevant to the project, and provide a base for further extension. You will also choose from a suite of elective subjects from allied areas of business, communication, social science, environment and technology.

Year 2

In the second year, you will continue to develop your design capabilities through the completion of two further industry-partnered interior design studios, as well as core subjects, and further electives. In your final semester, the design studio will be complimented by a portfolio-based subject that will support you in identifying, evaluating and communicating key areas of interest, skills and expertise which will together form a profile of your practice, enabling you to position yourself within the design profession.

Graduate Diploma in Interior Design

The Graduate Diploma in Interior Design is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Master of Interior Design
Program code: MC275

Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Interior Design
City Campus
2 years full-time (international)/2 years full-time or part-time equivalent (domestic)
MC275
0100719
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time (international)/2 years full-time or part-time equivalent (domestic)
Plan code
MC275
CRICOS
0100719
Master of Interior Design
City Campus
2 years full-time
MC275
0100719
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
MC275
CRICOS
0100719

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Graduates of this degree may find careers in interior design and architectural practices where they may be involved in design development, concept development  and implementation, strategic leadership, feasibility studies, competition bids, client presentations, and site management.

Commissions could include restaurants, hotels, retail spaces, corporate offices and public buildings. 

They may also find employment in advisory and strategic roles that utilise design skills, critical thinking and spatial knowledge in broader fields of work, including cultural institutions, placemaking, local government, business, cultural events, and education. 

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).

This RMIT degree participates in a local and global conversation and network through membership of:

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a related discipline.

Related disciplines include:

  • Interior design
  • Spatial design
  • Interior architecture
  • Landscape architecture
  • Architecture
  • Spatial arts
  • Theatre design
  • Exhibition design
  • Service design
  • Industrial design
  • Experience design

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Semester 2, 2024

You must complete and submit the Interior Design selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applications 19 July 2024

Selection task requirements

Outline your motivation for applying to the Master of Interior Design program (maximum 300 words). You may wish to discuss why you want to pursue a career in interior design, your interests or informing ideas relevant to interior design.

Upload your CV that includes your related skills and capabilities, academic achievements and professional or work experience.

Your folio should comprise 5-10 pieces of your own work, including resolved design projects, iterative development and process work.

Your work should demonstrate critical thinking including annotation and reflective discussion of your ideas and concepts.

Group and professional work must be clearly labelled with your contribution.

Submission instructions

You must collate your work into a single PDF (maximum 25 pages).

You may upload your PDF (maximum 10MB) or supply a URL if it's hosted online (provide the username and password if applicable).

Semester 1, 2025

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024.

You must complete and submit the Interior Design selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applicants TBC

The selection task requires:

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a related discipline including Interior Design, Spatial Design, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Spatial Arts, Theatre Design, Exhibition Design, Service Design, Industrial Design, Experience Design.

 

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 113kb) along with your application.

A pre-selection kit is not required for RMIT Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) students who achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0) or above.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

If you have successfully completed the BH115 Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) at RMIT with an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.5 (out of 4.0), you will be exempted from submitting the selection task and guaranteed entry into this master program with 96 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent to 1 year full-time study).

Students with a lower GPA than 2.5 may still apply for entry and will be assessed on merit based on their selection task.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

When you successfully complete the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0), you are guaranteed entry into the Master of Interior Design with 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points).

If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to submit a pre-selection kit (including folio). Applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Alternatively, you can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

2024 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$39,360 (2024 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.  

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

The annual tuition fee for 2024 is AU$46,080.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$93,120.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.