Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February Duration
Full-time 4 years Location
Melbourne City
Overview
In the 21st century, the definition of ‘interior’ can no longer be simply equated to the inside of a building. Conditions of interior and interiority are increasingly affected and transformed by contemporary technologies as well as social and cultural forces and relationships.
Focused on the dynamic relations between people and the surrounding environment, this ideas-led design course explores the potential and future of interior design as a practice. This degree will challenge your assumptions about interior design. You will learn to think and operate like a designer you will learn from distinguished design practitioners.
You will build design skills through responding to a range of design briefs, from the conceptual to real-life situations. You will be provided with technical and communication tools such as Rhino, Revit, 3D imaging, hand-drawing, film production and model making, as well as verbal presentation skills. You will also have the opportunity to travel and engage with industry through workshops and projects that allow you to respond to complex design challenges.
Students in third and fourth year have the opportunity to undertake internships and gain valuable experience with leading design practices in Melbourne and internationally.
Four years of ideas-led designing
Working in a highly creative studio setting, you will develop rich experiential sensibilities and a sophisticated array of approaches to the design of interior environments. These could range from detailed, material-focused projects including furniture and joinery, to event-based situations like exhibitions, installations and performances, or large-scale complex projects, such as commercial spaces, retail precincts and public or community centres.
Different interiors are considered, from architectural, retail, exhibition and urban environments to digital and filmic spaces, performance and theatre design, art installations and more.
Your studies conclude with the highly-celebrated graduate exhibition INDEX. This event brings together industry, staff and students to celebrate the discipline of Interior Design and its future through the work of these emerging designers.
Ever since primary school I have been interested in drawing and creativity. My older siblings were heading into university when I was still quite young. That’s when I became familiar with RMIT, and after recognising its high reputation for technology and design I was even more inspired.
- Alexandra Pestrivas, Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) student
Details
Learn to think and operate as a designer
Design studios make up a majority of your studies and are generally taught in small groups. In these classes, you will explore conceptual ideas and experiment with a breadth of media and innovative technologies. These range from detailed hands-on making processes to sophisticated digital modelling.
What is a design studio?
Design studios provide a unique way of exploring ideas by challenging future designers. Studios are run by academics and practising design leaders from local and international architectural and design firms.
Design studios model the best practice of local and global design firms. The studios allow you to explore design, connect with your peers, industry and integrate with other disciplines.
The city is your urban laboratory
Studying in the dynamic urban setting of Melbourne’s CBD will allow you to develop sophisticated design proposals in response to your immediate surroundings. In this way, RMIT’s Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) uses Melbourne’s CBD as a kind of urban laboratory to test design ideas.
INDEX Graduate Exhibition
INDEX is the final year graduate exhibition. Each year generates a unique event and the exhibition is an interior design project in its own right. The exhibition brings together industry, staff, and students to celebrate the discipline of Interior Design and its future through the work of these emerging designers.
Each semester, professional designers present studios and specialisations that engage directly with contemporary design projects and issues. These projects may involve clients and actual projects where you will develop your proposals within a scenario-based, simulated design practice environment.
The course has developed strong community and industry relationships, which allow you to be exposed to real-life projects. Examples include projects with ACMI, NGV, Abacus Learning Centre, Peter Mac Cancer Foundation and Westfield.
Internships in third and fourth year
You will have the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience in a range of leading design practices located both locally in Melbourne, and internationally across the Indo-Pacific region
These placements will embed you into design teams under the supervision of an experienced mentor, allowing you to develop your design skills and professional capabilities whilst working on real projects.
Local internship partners:
- Bates Smart
- Design Office
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Sibling Architecture
International internship partners:
- Hassell
- Woods Bagot
Through this course, you will engage in an ongoing global dialogue through student and staff exchange, travel studios, industry placements, and engagement with an international network of practitioners and academics.
Travel studios
International travel studios provide you with an opportunity to engage in projects and workshops that bring into focus issues surrounding space, local customs, society and contemporary culture.Students focus on developing design projects in response to these complex issues. Previous locations include, Hong Kong, India, Argentina, Mexico, USA, Germany, Eastern Europe, South Korea and Morocco.
You will also have the chance to go on a full semester overseas exchange in your third year.
Year 1
You'll undertake classes in design and communications, history and theory, and technical studies that introduce you to concepts of interior design.
Years 2 and 3
Studies are integrated in design studios and electives in technology, communications, specialisations, and history and theory. Each semester, practising professionals and academics offer a selection of studios and specialisations investigating timely and relevant topics.
In second and third year, you have the opportunity to develop your design skills and awareness through overseas travel studios. In third year, you may also choose to study overseas for a semester.
Year 4
You'll pursue an individual thesis and design project based on your accumulated skills and interests in design, theory, technology and communications. Final year work is celebrated through a public exhibition, INDEX.
Specialisations include: residential design, furniture design, retail design, design for film and TV, design for theatre, exhibition and event design, model making, design publishing, lighting, materials, digital modelling and fabrication, projection mapping, digital video and website design.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) | City Campus |
4 years full-time
|
4 years full-time
|
BH115 | 083945G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BH115
Career
Many graduates work in interior design and architectural practices where commissions may range from residential, retail and entertainment, to hospitality, corporate office and public building design. These practices vary in scale, from large corporate offices to teams of two or three.
As an interior designer, you may also work in film and television design, set design for theatre, furniture design, exhibition design and curating, event planning and design journalism.
Design practices are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary, with interior designers, landscape architects, architects, industrial designers and graphic designers collaborating on large-scale projects. Graduates have gone on to work at Woods Bagot, the National Gallery of Victoria, and in their own design practices.
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:
- Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association (IDEA)
- Design Institute of Australia (DIA)
- International Federation of Interior Architects and Interior Designers (IFI)
Admissions
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must meet the minimum academic entry requirements for this program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee you entry due to the competitive nature of this program. Overseas qualifications will be assessed for Australian equivalence.
RMIT’s selection criteria, outlined below according to your highest completed level of education, will provide you with a better understanding of the minimum admissions requirements needed for this program.
Selection criteria
This information is for applicants who are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 or equivalent or whose highest qualification is a completed secondary education within the last two years (2017, 2018).
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education program.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) more than two years ago, including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
If you would like your work and life experience to be considered, you should provide a copy of your curriculum vitae and a supporting statement from your employer.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
Selection task
If you are applying to RMIT through VTAC you must register and submit the Interior Design selection task by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- early round (non year 12 only): 30 September 2019
- main round (all applicants): 1 November 2019
- all subsequent rounds (if places are available): 14 February 2020
Advisory letters will be sent in late October (early round) and late December (main round).
If you are a RMIT current or recent student, please select 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.
All tasks must be submitted by 28 February 2020 and will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are already filled.
Those who have successfully completed a minimum of one full year of tertiary study in architecture, interior design, industrial design or landscape architecture may be exempt from submitting the selection task.
You may be required to attend a folio presentation if so, you will be advised via email. Folio presentations will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round). For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, folio presentations will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
Selection task requirements
You are required to provide the following:
- a statement outlining your interest in interior design (maximum 150 words)
- a statement describing your experience such as employment, voluntary work, etc., or a description of what you have done, over what periods and how it strengthens your application to this program (maximum 150 words)
- a two part design exercise which provides an opportunity to communicate your creative thinking through an image and written responses. You should draw on your own experience, imagination and skills in putting forward a thoughtful and creative response of your own. There is no one correct response that we are looking for and we do not expect you to have any substantial prior knowledge of interior design. In this task we are looking for you to demonstrate a critical and considered understanding of your own work.
- Part 1: Provide a piece of your own work (a single image) that demonstrates your creative abilities. You are free to use any medium, including drawing, illustration, model making or sculpture, photography, collages, painting, anything that you think will express your creativity. The image must be formatted as JPEG or PDF and must be no larger than 3MB or you may provide a URL to your single image if hosted online.
- Part 2: In no more than 300 words, discuss the thinking behind the creative piece you selected in Part 1 including the reasons why you selected it.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.
Regional adjustments
RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
Available to all applicants
Equity access schemes
Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program supports you through an informal interview process where you will receive support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, higher education study or work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
- are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
- have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
- have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 70% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Selection tasks for international students completing year 12 in Australia and applying through VTAC
Folio: You must supply evidence of your creativity in the form of a folio that contains a variety of your personal work in art, design or media relevant to the program/s you are applying for. The folio should demonstrate your interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design, problem solving and technical skills. You should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished works.
Examples of work to include in your folio are drawings, paintings, graphic designs, photographs, digital images, models, sculpture, video, scripting, short stories, and/or 2D and 3D Flash animation.
We recommend you explain each work to help the Selection Officer understand the purpose and background of that work.
Folios should be submitted electronically with files in PDF, JPEG, SWF, DCR or QuickTime format suitable to be read on Mac OSX or later, unless otherwise specified. Each electronic file should be no larger than 10MB.
You must present your folio at an assessment session. If you are living outside Melbourne, this can be conducted via email, phone or video call.
To study this program 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
Pathways for students looking to further their studies in a related field at RMIT from July 2020
This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree and helping you get the degree you want.
Use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT for more information.
Pathways for applicants who have completed or are currently enrolled in vocational courses at RMIT
If you have completed or are currently enrolled in RMIT's Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design or Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) or Diploma Interior Design and Decoration you may wish to continue your studies in the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) in 2020. You will be guaranteed entry if you successfully complete and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 4. If you do not meet the guaranteed entry requirement you may still apply and must attend a folio presentation.
If you complete the Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design or Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) and successfully gain entry into the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) you will be granted 144 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1.5 years full-time study). If you commence in February the remaining duration will be 3 years. If you commence in July the remaining duration will be 2.5 years.
If you complete the Diploma Interior Design and Decoration and successfully gain entry into the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) you will be granted 96 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1 year full-time study).
The Pathways finder above is a guide for students looking to further their studies in a related field at RMIT from July 2020.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
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. Find out if you might be eligible.
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 folio. Applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.
Fees
2020 indicative fees
In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308 maximum fee for 2020.
- 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
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2020
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2020 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,684 per standard year $835 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,527 per standard year |
|
$11,155 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
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 HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will 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.
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 2020 is $308.
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.
The annual tuition fee for 2020 is AU$38,400.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$165,120.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.