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Course code: HE20501V03

Bachelor of Interior Design

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Overview About this course

Create innovative spaces as an interior designer as you combine your understanding of the interaction between people and spaces with your skills in concept creation and project management. The TAFE NSW Bachelor of Interior Design equips you with technical skills in future-focused digital design and the practical aptitude to realise your design projects with confidence. Graduate ready to step into a diverse range of workplaces whether it’s as a consultant, in an interior-specific design business, an architecture firm, or an interior design department of a property development firm.

Course Duration

3 years full time or 6 years part time.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Confidently use technical and graphical approaches to visually communicate interior design schemes, using architectural drawing, perspective, layout design, illustrative techniques, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and three-dimensional Building Information Modelling (BIM) software

  • Interpret design briefs to meet your clients’ needs, ensuring your designs are creative, relevant and fit for purpose, and produce creative interior design presentations and persuasive project proposals to showcase your concepts

  • Research, select and specify the materials, finishes, furnishings and colours for your interior design projects

  • Create lighting plans, detailing, material schedules and specifications

  • Produce construction documentation packages for commercial interior design projects while meeting all technical, creative and statutory requirements

  • Apply best-practice sustainability to design projects and keep up to date with innovation in environmentally-friendly resources and technology

Course outcomes

Develop specialist skills to gain an advantage in the job market

  • Graduate with a Bachelor Degree

  • A professional portfolio of work

  • 70 hours work placement with an industry interior design workplace organised by TAFE NSW

  • Eligibility to be admitted to the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) at the Associate Member level

  • The ability to coordinate, design and manage interior design projects from scoping and planning in the pre-implementation stage all the way through to completion

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

You must demonstrate that you have achieved one of the following:

  • A NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or its equivalent or

  • A Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation or its equivalent or

  • A completed Certificate IV or higher vocational qualification

You must also:

  • Submit a 500 word essay describing a situation where you combined creativity and analysis to solve a challenging problem

  • Submit a portfolio to demonstrate your creative talent. This must include eight examples of your art or design work to showcase your artistic skillset

Exceptions:

  • If you have completed, or are currently enrolled in, one of the following courses at TAFE NSW, you do not need to submit the essay or portfolio requirements described above:

  • Certificate IV in Design

  • Certificate IV in Interior Decoration

  • Diploma of Interior Design

Note:

  • Your certificates, transcripts and other entry requirement evidence must be certified through a Justice of the Peace or other authorising officer

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • A passion for interior design, art and architecture

  • Engaged in some kind of creative art or design study in the past, either in school, at TAFE or just for your own interest

  • Some digital literacy and confidence in using computers

  • An interest in a career as a commercial interior designer

  • Access to your own personal modern PC laptop. You can access this equipment on campus, however it is highly recommended you have your own equipment available

You do not require an ATAR score for entry into this course.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, you may be eligible for special admission.

Please continue with your application and you will be guided to identify as mature aged (at least 21 years old in your first year of study) or disadvantaged (disability, serious or chronic illness, interrupted education, lack of support for study, serious personal problems and/or serious family responsibilities). Please contact us to find out more.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Interior Designer

Interior Designers plan, design, detail and supervise the construction of commercial, industrial, retail and residential building interiors to produce an environment tailored to a purpose, with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning, and factors that enhance living and working environments.

  • Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

    73%

  • Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

    3,100 workers

  • Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

    39 years

  • Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

    $1,460

  • Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

    45 hours

  • Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

    High

  • Gender share

    75% female

  • Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

    Strong Growth

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 2 Courses

Alternative pathways into this course

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Bachelor of Interior Design does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 0 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and expand your employability

The Bachelor of Interior Design does not have any related courses.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning (https://www.tafensw.edu.au/enrol/recognition-credit-transfers) or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Subjects Subjects in this course

Completion of this course requires you to successfully complete 24 subjects (240 credit points) made up of 22 core subjects and 2 elective subjects.

Core Subjects

    Elective Subjects

      Note: Some courses offer the opportunity to choose subjects from the complete suite of Higher Education electives that are delivered by TAFE NSW. Once you’ve enrolled, contact your Course Coordinator to discuss tailoring your course to align with your interests and goals.

      TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

      TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

      • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

      • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

      • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

      • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

      • TAFE NSW Libraries

      • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

      • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor

      • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

      • Student associations – get social with our student community

      Delivery options Find a location to enrol

      On campus, online and blended study environments; at TAFE NSW your learning works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites, compare courses and discover what works for you.