Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

RMIT University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) at RMIT University is a four‑year degree that teaches you to think like a designer and create interior spaces that are both functional and inspiring. It’s perfect for students who are curious, creative, and eager to explore how people interact with spaces — whether in homes, workplaces, exhibitions, or public environments.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of Design
In your first year, you’ll develop the fundamental skills of interior design through hands-on studio projects that encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. Alongside studio work, you’ll study courses in drawing, model-making, digital tools, and history and theory, helping you understand how interior spaces connect with people, culture, and society.

Years 2 and 3 – Developing Skills and Specialisation
During these middle years, you’ll take on more complex design challenges, experimenting with a variety of techniques and approaches. Design studios remain the core of learning, supported by courses in technology, communication, and specialisations like lighting, exhibition, or furniture design. You’ll also gain experience with industry-standard digital tools such as Rhino, Revit, and 3D imaging, and may even participate in travel studios or overseas exchanges that broaden your creative perspective.

Year 4 – Advanced Projects and Professional Practice
In your final year, you’ll undertake a self-directed major design project that reflects your personal interests and design voice. You’ll also study professional practice and research strategies to prepare for the legal, ethical, and commercial aspects of design work. The year concludes with INDEX, a prestigious graduate exhibition where you present your work to industry professionals and the wider design community.

Focus Areas

Idea-led interior design, spatial experimentation, design technologies, communication and professional practice, specialisations including exhibition, lighting, and furniture design.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to tackle complex design challenges, communicate ideas effectively across different media, apply research-led design thinking, use technology confidently, and manage design projects with initiative and creativity.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This degree prepares you for membership with professional bodies such as the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and connects you with both local and global design networks.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

RMIT’s interior design discipline is highly regarded in Australia and internationally, with the university consistently ranked among the top institutions for art and design by QS World University Rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the very first semester, this degree is about doing interior design, not just reading about it. You’ll spend most of your time in hands-on studio environments, experimenting with materials, digital tools, and design solutions, while tackling real-world projects that reflect professional practice. RMIT’s Design Hub provides access to specialist workshops, fabrication spaces, and gallery areas where you can prototype, test, and showcase your ideas. Throughout the program, you’ll build a strong portfolio, collaborate with peers, and develop the practical skills needed to step confidently into the design industry:

Collaborative design studios form the heart of your learning, with small group projects guided by experienced academics and practising designers, giving you regular feedback and hands-on experience.
Industry-standard digital tools and software such as Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop, InDesign, and 3D imaging complement traditional skills like drawing, model-making, and rendering.
The Design Hub workshops provide 24/7 access to laser cutters, 3D printers, robotic fabricators, materials libraries, and exhibition spaces for prototyping and showcasing your work.
Internships and placements with leading design and architecture practices, such as Bates Smart, Hassell, Woods Bagot, and the National Gallery of Victoria, offer real-world experience and professional networking.
Global travel studios and international exchanges give you the chance to apply your design skills in different cultural and environmental contexts, broadening your perspective.
The INDEX Graduate Exhibition showcases your final-year work to industry professionals, giving you exposure and a real opportunity to make connections before you graduate.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Interior Design (Honours) at RMIT leave ready to take on creative careers where they can shape spaces people live, work, and interact with every day. Many go on to roles such as interior designer, exhibition or event designer, furniture or set designer, or even creative director, giving you the flexibility to follow a path that matches your personal interests and strengths:

Career support & employability services – RMIT’s Careers and Employment team supports you throughout your studies with personalised advice, portfolio reviews, résumé and interview coaching, and access to industry opportunities, ensuring you’re ready to succeed after graduation.
Employment outcomes & earning potential – Interior designers are in demand across Australia, with strong starting salaries and opportunities to grow as your experience and portfolio develop.
University–industry partnerships – You’ll work closely with design firms and organisations such as Bates Smart, Design Office, Woods Bagot, the National Gallery of Victoria, and ACMI, giving you practical experience and professional networks even before you graduate.
Long‑term accreditation & value – This honours degree qualifies you to join the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and connects you with professional bodies globally, supporting career growth whether you work locally or internationally.
Graduation outcomes – Alumni go on to work in design studios and creative practices, launch their own design firms, or specialise in areas like exhibition design, installations, film and theatre sets, furniture design, and spatial strategy.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can continue your studies to deepen your expertise or specialise further. Many graduates choose RMIT’s Master of Interior Design, where strong undergraduate results can give you advanced standing. You could also explore other postgraduate programs or research degrees to expand your skills in areas like spatial strategy, design research, or leadership in the built environment, opening up even more opportunities for your creative career.