Diploma of Interior Design

Diploma of Interior Design - MSF50218

VOCATIONAL

Blend creativity and practical knowledge and learn to make interior spaces special. 

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

IELTS 5.5

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$24,000 (2023 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

Great interior designers understand what makes a space work for a particular purpose.

Whether you’re working on a home, office, hotel, commercial environment or something unique, this course is designed to give you the creative skills you need to build a career in the field of interior design.

In this dynamic, practical, industry-relevant course, you'll learn 2D and 3D design skills and the decorative aspect of design. You’ll delve into the exploration of colour, materials and finishes, interior construction techniques, soft furnishings, and fabrics and furniture. With research and practical tasks across historical and contemporary styles and trends, you’ll develop high-level documentation and technical skills in order to respond to professional briefs for both residential and commercial clients.

You'll develop a deeper understanding of commercial and residential interiors, spatial layout, furnishings and decorative treatments, and the documentation process.

As an interior designer, you will:

  • develop well-planned and functional spaces

  • decorate residential and commercial environments

  • draw sketches and produce samples of your design ideas

  • source paint colours, lighting, furniture and flooring

  • provide advice on soft and hard finishes, artwork, and accessories for an interior scheme.

  • provide on-site design and construction advice.

Through this course, your knowledge and skills will expand to allow you to create and communicate your design concepts, evaluate briefs and apply basic business skills to domestic and commercial projects.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

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In this course, you will be taught in a studio format that is reflective of commercial design studios. Your teachers will interact and work with you as if you are a junior designer.

You’ll learn through lectures, workshops, studios, online learning, and classroom and industry presentations, real-world briefs, and on-site visits. You’ll acquire a broad range of hands-on skills (rendering, architectural drafting, CAD, Rivet, model making, Photoshop, client presentation), and develop knowledge of the history and theory of colour and design.

During your studies, you’ll work on live projects with members of industry, modelling the consultancy practice of interior designers and decorators for client presentations.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes concept design development, digital and verbal presentations, group projects, research and practical tasks.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.

You will have access to online resources.

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

Students of this course have the opportunity to participate in an industry mentorship program run with the support of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA).

In the first semester of second year, you can apply to be a part of a 10-week placement with an industry mentor that will support you in professional practice, give you real-world experience, and help provide industry contacts.

You also have the opportunity to collaborate with industry throughout your studies. You’ll work with major Australian companies such as Dulux, Boyac, Jardan and BQ Designs on simulated and real-life projects delivered on-site and in a studio environment. You’ll complete projects that respond to a design brief, receive mentoring and feedback throughout concept development, and present to a panel of relevant Industry representatives.

Students of this course have had the opportunity to undertake study tours in New York and Paris, collaborating with FIT NY, design and architectural studios, and local design schools on various complex and exciting challenges and projects.

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 diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

In your first year of the diploma you will study residential briefs that will develop your understanding of architecture and space planning, colour, materials and furnishings, decorative arts, and historic and contemporary interior style.

Visual technology and communication skills underpin the presentation aspects of working as a designer/decorator. You will work with computer-aided design (CAD), Photoshop and other industry-standard software.

From your second year onwards, you will deepen your knowledge of residential and commercial briefs, underpinned by the principles of sustainability across lighting, soft furnishings, interior building materials and techniques. You can also apply to take part in a unique mentorship program.

You'll develop your 3D visualisation and modelling skills to produce detailed and accurate spatial documentation, and you’ll hone your presentation skills in design practice studios for both concept and finished presentations.

Students can expect to attend 21 hours of classes over four days, and complete approximately 20 hours of additional self-directed study and research per week.

Course structure

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

Diploma of Interior Design
Program code: C5396
National curriculum code: MSF50218
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Interior Design
City Campus
2 years
C5396
0101739
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years
Plan code
C5396
CRICOS
0101739
View plan
Diploma of Interior Design
City Campus
C5396
0101739
Location
City Campus
Duration
Plan code
C5396
CRICOS
0101739
View plan

VTAC Code

If you are eligible to apply via VTAC, copy and paste the below code into VTAC search.

  • Plan C5396 - 3200310034

Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

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

Career

Graduates work for local and overseas design firms such as Atticus and Milo, Jardan, Dulux and many others.

As an interior designer, you might work in environments including:

  • commercial design offices 
  • interior design and decoration departments
  • decoration and design consultancy
  • interior textile wholesale
  • retail and colour consultancy.
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This course is nationally accredited by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA). Current students and graduates of this course are eligible for DIA membership.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Design or the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration

OR

Complete and submit the Selection Task.

NOTE: Applicants who have completed the Certificate IV in Design or the Certificate IV in Interior Decoration are not required to complete the Selection Task.

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

Semester 1, 2023

You must complete and submit the Diploma of Interior Design selection task.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this 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

Selection task dates for VTAC applicants

If you are applying via VTAC, you must complete and submit the selection task by the following dates:

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
Early round (Non year 12 only) 28 October 2022
Main round (All applicants) 2 December 2022
All subsequent rounds (if places are available) 16 December 2022
Selection task dates for direct applicants

If you are applying direct to RMIT, you must complete and submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. Please see the Apply page for information on eligibility to apply direct.

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
Direct applicants 3 February 2023

The selection task requires:

Applicant statement

An applicant statement outlining why you want to study Interior Design (maximum 300 words).

Folio

A digital folio of 6 projects. Include the finished piece as well as the process work per project.

  • A project could be sketching / painting / drawing / photography / graphic design / sculpture or 3D form. At least one project must be computer-generated, displaying digital skills.
  • The projects do not need to have an Interior Design focus but display visual creativity.
  • For each piece of work, include a short statement describing the project and the outcome (100 words per work).
Submissions instructions

Upload your folio as:

  • A single PDF Document (maximum 10MB). Include the page number, and your full name and application number on each page.

OR

  • Provide a URL to your folio (please provide a password if applicable). If using a URL all images must be contained and visible on one webpage

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

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (see 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.

Art and Design application tips

Tips and steps to applying to Art and Design (PDF)

Entry score calculator
Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

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 139kb) along with your application. 

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

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 50 (with minimum of 5 in Reading, 5 in Listening, 14 in Speaking and 15 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 42 (with no communication band less than 36)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 162 with no less than 154 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) Upper Intermediate Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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Successful completion of RMIT's Certificate IV in Design guarantees you entry into the Diploma of Interior Design.

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.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

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You are guaranteed entry into the Diploma of Interior Design when you successfully complete the Certificate IV in Design.

Alternatively, you can gain entry to this diploma from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study 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.

You are guaranteed entry into the Associate Degree in Interior Decoration and Design with 2 semesters of credit (equivalent to 96 credit points) when you successfully complete the Diploma of Interior Design.

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.

Fees

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2023 fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2023 government subsidised place: AU$7,750* per annum
  • 2023 full-fee place: AU$14,000* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

*The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) rates for 2023 have been delayed by the Australian Government. The fee information will be published when they are available.

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and 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 2023 is $326. 

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.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

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

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The annual tuition fee for 2023 is AU$24,000.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$48,000.

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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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.

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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.

More information