What you can study - interior architecture
Interior Architecture home | Facilities | Key staff | How to apply - undergraduate and postgraduate | Information for current students | Student work and experiences
The School of Art, Architecture and Design offers
interior architecture at undergraduate, honours and
postgraduate level, including
research degrees.
Every year the School runs Interior Architecture Professional Practice Week, so that students at every year level can apply their practical, theoretical and philosophical knowledge to professional design practice.
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate
- Fees and scholarships
- How to apply - undergraduate and postgraduate
- Contact
- Glossary of terms
So you want to be a designer or visual artist? - Thursday 10 September 2009
Undergraduate
An undergraduate program at the University of South Australia is a package of individual courses. Once all courses in the program are completed the student holds a degree (Bachelor of Discipline Area) and can go on to do postgraduate study. A degree by coursework means you enrol in selected courses, attend lectures and tutorials, and are assessed progressively. You will acquire industry and professionally relevant skills, knowledge and research frameworks to achieve your career goals.
To do an undergraduate degree
Go to Future students to see if you are eligible to do an undergraduate degree at UniSA. For specific entry requirements (including English language requirements) go to the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (DBIR) program page.
Bachelor of Interior Architecture (DBIR)
4 year full-time program or part-time equivalent
| UniSA program code | DBIR |
| SATAC code | 424081 |
| CRICOS code (international students only) | 024202C |
| TER | UniWeb for more information |
| Program length | 4 years |
| Program fees (Australian students) | Commonwealth Supported |
| Program fees (international students) | A$19,500 per 1.0 EFTSL for students commencing in 2010 |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Assumed knowledge | None |
| Accepts Special Entry (STAT) | Yes |
| External study available | No |
| Part-time study available | Yes |
| TAFE credit available | Yes |
| Honours study available | Yes |
| Scholarships available | Undergraduate scholarships |
The
Bachelor of Interior Architecture program in the
School of Art, Architecture and Design provides
students with a professionally relevant course on an inner city campus
in Adelaide, South Australia. The program
focuses on integrating design theory and practice and is
distinguished by two minor streams of study -
furniture design and
exhibition design
The Interior Architecture program enables students to develop the ability
to approach a variety of design problems with creativity, a high level of
competence, sensitivity and professional relevance. The first year
introduces students to basic design skills and concepts. The second and
third years enable students to develop and apply their skills to the
conception, synthesis and resolution of increasingly complex interior
architecture projects. In the final (fourth) year,
it is expected that students will develop a level of mastery in the
application of the knowledge and skills through the program.
See
Theory Spine for
how to shape your learning with theory courses, adding
strength and depth to your degree in
interior architecture or design.
The internationally recognised and enthusiastic teaching staff have practice backgrounds and offer many opportunities to students including:
- off-campus design activities
- involvement in community-based projects
- a range of workshop programs including the design and fabrication of furniture items
- interdisciplinary collaboration
- a professional work-placement and mentor program.
Students have the chance to participate in annual national field trips and regular international cross-disciplinary study tours.
Graduate
pathways
Graduates of the Bachelor of Interior Architecture enter the profession of interior design capable of designing and implementing socially and environmentally responsive environments which sustain healthy human existence.
Furniture Design and Exhibition Design
Students have the option to select either Furniture Design or Exhibition Design as a stream of study (minor). Students must undertake a minimum of 18 units of courses which focus on furniture or exhibition within the program of study in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years.
Honours
The degree may be awarded with Honours for meritorious performance in the program. An Honours year is offered in Study Period 5 to 3rd year students with meritorious performance in the program. Entry to Honours is at the invitation of the Head of School.
Information brochure (PDF file 3.5mb, download Adobe Acrobat)
Postgraduate
UniSA
postgraduate programs are offered either by coursework or by research.
- Research degrees are offered at Masters by research and PhD degree levels. Students engage in an intensive individual program of research under the guidance of an experienced supervisor with research expertise in a specific area.
- Postgraduate coursework degrees are offered at Graduate Diploma and Masters degree levels. To do a degree by coursework you will enrol in selected courses, attend lectures and tutorials, and be assessed progressively.
| Criteria | Research | Postgraduate coursework |
|---|---|---|
| Program length | 2-3 years (full-time) - 4 years maximum (depending on the degree) | 1-2 years (full-time) (depending on the degree) |
| Program fees (Australian students) | HECS exempt (no fees) | Commonwealth Supported |
| Program fees (international students) | Full fee paying | Full fee paying |
| Prerequisites (Australian) |
Honours degree or equivalent |
Undergraduate degree |
| Prerequisites (international) |
Honours degree or equivalent IELTS score of IELTS 6.5 (academic) or equivalent |
Undergraduate
degree IELTS score of IELTS 6.5 (academic) or equivalent |
| External study available | Yes | Yes |
| Part-time study available | Yes | Yes |
| Scholarships available | Yes | Yes |
To do a research degree
An applicant for a place in a Masters by research or PhD program must satisfy the Research Degrees Committee of competence to undertake a higher degree by research by:
- holding or being eligible to hold from an approved higher education
institution an award in an appropriate discipline which is assessed by this
University as being equivalent to:
- an Honours degree or a Bachelors degree with honours; or
- a Bachelors degree and a preliminary course of study of honours standard; or
- an appropriate Masters degree; or
- holding such other qualifications as are acceptable to the Research Degrees Committee - in such cases the applicant must satisfy the Committee of fitness to undertake advanced work on the basis of the standard of achievement in, and the relevance of, previous higher education studies, and professional experience or published research work.
Research degrees - programs of study available, fees and scholarships, and eligibility (including English language requirements)
To do a postgraduate coursework degree
The entry requirement for graduate and postgraduate awards by coursework is an appropriate first degree, advanced diploma, three-year diploma, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution.
Prior studies you have undertaken may contribute towards credit, exemption or advanced standing in the program you intend to study. UniSA has credit transfer agreements with institutions in many countries. Go to Postgraduate applicants for more information and to assess your credit.
To be eligible for entry, prospective students must:
- have completed a recognised relevant undergraduate degree (eg industrial design, applied arts, visual arts, fine arts, interior design, design) from an Australian university or equivalent
- submit a portfolio of work
- submit a written statement of intent
Applications may also be considered from prospective students who do not have an undergraduate degree but may have gained professional experience or other types of qualification. These applicants must submit:
In such cases applicants, as part of their portfolio submission, must demonstrate achievement in, and relevance of, previous higher education studies, professional experience and/or published research work.
Postgraduate coursework degrees - programs of study available, and fees and scholarships
Postgraduate coursework degrees
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Design (DGSU)
1 year full-time program or 2 years part-time equivalent
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Design is an interdisciplinary postgraduate coursework program which can be taken full time over one year. The program combines theory-based courses with design studio projects to explore multidisciplinary design challenges grounded in both current and future contexts.
More information
Master of Sustainable Design (DMSU)
1.5 year full-time program or part-time equivalent
The Master of Sustainable Design is especially
relevant to working practitioners and researchers in industrial design,
furniture design, packaging design, interior architecture, automotive
design, transport and systems design, architecture, urban design and
landscape architecture.
More information
Fees and scholarships
Fees for domestic students
Commonwealth Supported Fees for Commonwealth Supported Students are calculated at the course level. Select individual courses in the schedule for the Bachelor of Interior Architecture (DBIR), Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Design (DGSU) and Master of Sustainable Design (DMSU) to determine total program fees. Students studying a commonwealth supported program pay a student contribution and if eligible may choose to defer this using HECS-HELP (Higher Education Loans Program).
Fees for international students
Fees are calculated on a per Unit basis with 1.0 EFTSL = 36 Units. Fees for international students are determined one year in advance and are subject to variation. See Fee information for each program for next year's calculation.
Scholarships
You may be eligible to apply for a scholarship to support your study:
Minor: A stream of related courses which comprises up to 18 units (commonly four courses). In some programs these may also be called cognates. More information