Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture)

Curtin's Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) is a four-year degree that trains you to shape the inside of buildings, how rooms flow, how light lands, how people move through a space and how it feels to be in it. You study design studios, technical drawing and documentation, materials and finishes, building services, lighting, acoustics and the regulations that govern interior construction. Expect to spend a lot of time in the studio, drawing, modelling and presenting your work for critique, because that is how interior architects are actually taught in Australia.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees sit at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. A standard bachelor is three years full time; this one runs four because it carries a heavier studio and technical load. The academic year is split into semesters, and you enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You accumulate credit points across the degree until you meet the total required to graduate. Most of your early units build core design and communication skills, and later units let you specialise or go deeper into areas like commercial interiors, heritage adaptation or exhibition design. The final year typically includes a capstone design project where you take a real or realistic brief from concept through to a resolved set of drawings and a public presentation.

Work-integrated learning and professional context

Interior architecture in Australia is a practice-based field, and degrees in it usually include some form of work-integrated learning, a placement or industry-linked project where you work alongside practising designers. That might mean time in an architecture or interior design studio, a fit-out contractor, a furniture or joinery manufacturer, or a government or property developer's design team. Perth has a steady pipeline of commercial, hospitality, health and residential projects, and Curtin has links into that local industry. Ask the university what placement or industry project is built into your specific course, because arrangements vary.

Skills you build and who this suits

You graduate able to read and produce construction documentation, specify materials, work within the National Construction Code, coordinate with engineers and builders, and present design ideas clearly to clients. You also learn the software the industry uses, CAD, BIM and 3D modelling tools. This degree suits people who are visual, practical and interested in both the look of a space and how it is actually built. If you like the idea of designing interiors but want more technical depth than a decoration-focused course gives you, this is the kind of qualification to look at. It also suits school leavers and mature-age students alike; no prior design study is assumed for entry, though a portfolio or interview may be part of the process. Check the official course page for entry requirements, assumed knowledge and the full unit list, and confirm fees and intake dates there too. International students should note the Student visa work rights, 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and that the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances.

• Interior designer or interior architect, working in design studios on residential, commercial, hospitality and retail projects.
• Documentation and technical designer, preparing construction drawings and specifications for builders and joiners.
• BIM/CAD technician or modeller, building and managing digital models for design and construction teams.
• Workplace and office fit-out designer, planning commercial interiors for corporate clients and property managers.
• Retail and hospitality designer, designing shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, often with tight budgets and fast timelines.
• Exhibition and set designer, museums, galleries, trade shows and events.
• Furniture, joinery and finishes specialist, specifying and detailing custom fittings and materials.
• Design consultant or project coordinator, liaising between clients, architects, engineers and contractors.

Employers include architecture and interior design practices, fit-out and construction companies, furniture and joinery manufacturers, property developers, government agencies, and retail or hospitality groups with in-house design teams. Many graduates eventually register a business or work as contractors after gaining experience.