Course details

Summary

Build your expertise and improve your career prospects with advanced study of interior architecture.

Become a specialist in the architectural design of interior spaces the places we live, work, play, eat, shop, exercise and learn. Make a difference to people's wellbeing and create a better future through the innovative design of interior spaces.

Learn to create innovative interiors that respond well to the many demands of spaces performance, identity, mood and physical comfort. Examine how design can affect the way people experience, interact with and move through an interior.

You'll gain an expansive knowledge of design through considering interiors in a range of contexts social and cultural, ecological and technological, historical and contemporary. Study Interior Architecture in detail and examine the relationships between materials, people and space.

Learn through a combination of taught courses and a self-directed, design-led research thesis or portfolio.

International recognition

Victoria’s Master of Interior Architecture programme is internationally recognised through affiliation to the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and the Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association (IDEA).

Careers

As an Interior Architecture graduate, you might work as a specialist within an interior design or architecture firm, or in the interior division of a large, multidisciplinary design company.

You might also work as an exhibition designer, stage or screen set designer or retail designer. Other jobs may include lighting designer, furniture designer or environmental designer. You might also make a career in teaching or research.

What you'll study

In your first year, or Part 1, you'll complete seven taught courses—six are compulsory and one elected. You'll learn to successfully apply design strategies through all stages of the design process. Focus on technologies and materials and examine history, theory and criticism in interior architecture. You'll also learn about professional practice including your legal and ethical obligations.

You'll also complete a research-based advanced design project. During this you'll learn to identify questions and explore processes, and develop effective presentation methods to communicate your research findings.

Research year

During the second year, or Part 2, you'll complete a research portfolio or thesis under supervision from academic staff in the School.

Current research topics include:

• architecture and dystopia
• housing and public infrastructure
• parametric design and digital agency
• contextual shifts
• responsive environments and robotics
• people and designed environments
• corporate spheres and community spaces
• public ecologies
• settling regional landscapes
• indigenous materials
• history and theory.

You'll be part of a strong culture of research and work with experienced staff who have published a variety of scholarly articles, books and conference papers.

Entry criteria

Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture, Architectural Studies or an approved alternative, with a B average.

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.5, no sub-score below 6.0; or
• TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing; or
• A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58).