Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) provides you with an understanding of the underlying principles and concepts in interior architecture and their applications in a broad range of contexts.
Discover the environments in which we spend our lives and learn how they are formed and fabricated. You'll apply conceptual processes, creative tools, management strategies and develop research skills to design a variety of public and private interior/spatial projects.
You'll also develop a broad repertoire of high-level representation and visualisation skills using industry-standard software programs and technical expertise. And, you'll learn to capitalise on new technologies and materials in the construction of indoor and outdoor 3D spaces.
All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in [DIA40001 and DIA40002], you'll work on industry projects to develop your design and management skills; from client meetings and scoping projects, to speculative presentations and working to fixed deadlines and budgets.
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 28 February 2022
- Semester 2 - 1 August 2022
VTAC codes
- 3400236031 (CSP)
- 3400236033 (IFP)

Swinburne interior architecture student wins at 2020 GOTYA Awards
Swinburne Design student, Jessica Love has taken out a top prize and two honourable mentions in the Design Institute of Australia’s Graduate of the Year Awards (GOTYA) for 2020.
This awards ceremony is the Design Institute of Australia’s flagship program for emerging designers from tertiary institutions across Australia.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
20th Century Design | DDD10001 | 12.5 |
Introductory Design Studio | DDD10006 | 12.5 |
Construction 1: Building Systems and Materials | DIA10001 | 12.5 |
History of Interior Architecture | DIA10004 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Communication | DIA10005 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Studio 1 - Space, Form and Human Occupation | DIA10006 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 1 | DIA20003 | 12.5 |
Contemporary Design Issues | DDD20004 | 12.5 |
Construction 2: Building Services and Documentation Packages | DIA20001 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Studio 2: Place, Space and Human Experience | DIA20004 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Studio 3: Design Exploration | DIA20005 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 2 | DIA30002 | 12.5 |
Construction 3: Sustainability | DIA30001 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Entrepreneurship and Professional Development | DIA30003 | 12.5 |
Interior Architecture Studio 4: Sustainability | DIA30004 | 12.5 |
Philosophy of Interior Architecture | DIA30005 | 12.5 |
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Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
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You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
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A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Graduates of a Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours) acquire coherent and advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts of Interior Architecture and of research, principles and methods. Graduates of the degree possess initiative and judgement in Interior Architecture professional practice and/ or scholarship, the capacity to adapt their knowledge and skills to diverse contexts, responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, the capacity to plan and execute project work, and the ability to conduct independent research.
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours), graduates will be able to:
- apply cognitive and research skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise advanced knowledge and theoretical concepts in the field of Interior Architecture and the ability to adapt this knowledge to meet the professional and/or scholarship requirements of stakeholders in differing contexts
- demonstrate cognitive and technical skills, and a broad understanding of Interior Architecture knowledge with depth in Interior Architecture History, Materials and Construction Technology, and Spatial Development in the contexts in which these knowledge and skills are applied
- apply cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking, initiative, and judgement in identifying and solving Interior Architecture problems independently and/or collaboratively, taking responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice
- demonstrate communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas about Interior Architecture to diverse audiences and stakeholders
- demonstrate cognitive and technical skills to apply principles of sustainability and respectful design to their knowledge.
Career opportunities
The variety of interior architecture design projects that Swinburne students undertake reflects the vast range of career paths graduates are able to stream into. Among other possibilities, graduates of Interior Architecture may pursue careers in: exhibition, furniture, set design, retail, education, hospitality, residential, commercial, high-rise tenancies, community and urban projects.
Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry into the Master of Design or a PhD program.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply to become members of the Design Institute of Australia.
Fees
- Fees for 2022.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
2022 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
---|---|---|---|
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$32,084 | $8,021 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.

Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.