Overview

Learn how the environments in which we spend our lives are formed and fabricated in our Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours). Apply conceptual processes, creative tools, management strategies and develop research skills to design a variety of public and private interior and spatial projects. Plus, flex the tech by constructing indoor and outdoor 3D spaces.

Course prerequisites have changed

The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.

Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects.

This degree includes industry projects to develop your design and management skills – from client meetings to budgeting.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Knowledge on interior spaces
  • Concept and design development
  • Key principles of sustainability
  • Solving interior architecture problems
  • Design communication and documentation

Your career opportunities

  • Interior designer
  • Exhibition designer
  • Property designer
  • Retail designer
  • Design consultant

Key codes

CRICOS course code
085306A
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400236033
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400236031
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 150 in Art and Design

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

#1 in Melbourne for graduate found full-time employment 4 months after completing their degree 

5 stars for overall experience

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

70.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

68.15

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent and
  • Units 3 and 4: satisfactory completion in one of Art Creative Practice, Product Design And Technology, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Art Making And Exhibiting or Visual Communication Design

Students with a Year 12 equivalent must attain relevant corresponding score in art, design or media subject at that level.

  • VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL)
  • and Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in one of Art, Interactive Digital Media C or VCE VET Creative and Digital Media, Product Design and Technology, Media, Studio Arts or Visual Communication Design.
     

Students with a Year 12 equivalent must attain relevant corresponding score in art, design or media subject at that level.

Other requirements

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

 Swinburne may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) (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.

16
Core units
+
8
Electives units
+
5
Honours year units
=
4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Introductory Design Studio
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10006
Construction 1: Building Systems and Materials
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA10001
Interior Architecture Communication
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA10005
Twentieth Century Design
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD10001
Semester 2
Interior Architecture Studio 1 - Space, Form & Human Occupation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA10006
History of Interior Architecture
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA10004
Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA20003
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Interior Architecture Studio 2: Place, Space and Human Experience
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA20004
Construction 2: Building Services and Documentation Packages
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA20001
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Contemporary Design Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD20004
Interior Architecture Digital Documentation 2
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA30002
Interior Architecture Studio 3: Design Exploration
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA20005
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Interior Architecture Studio 4 - Sustainability
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA30004
Philosophy of Interior Architecture
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA30005
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Interior Architecture Entrepreneurship and Professional Development
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA30003
Construction 3: Sustainability
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
DIA30001
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Design Factory Melbourne Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD40001
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 1
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD60030
Project Management and Practice
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30038
Professional Attributes for Design
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30036
DFM: Applied Innovation Studio 2
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD70031
or
Interior Architecture Honours Stream
Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DDD40001
Capstone: Interior Architecture Practice 1
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DIA40001
Project Management and Practice
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30038
Professional Attributes for Design
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD30036
Capstone: Interior Architecture Practice 2
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
DIA40002

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$35,792

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$41,240.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2024 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BH-DESINA
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BH-DESINA
Apply directly
Course code
BH-DESINA
CRICOS code
085306A
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Applying through Early Entry Program?

If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400236031
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400236033
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
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