Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture)

Interior designers are employed within the broad field of interior architecture or where they can apply specific expertise such as health care, corporate design or heritage and conservation. This may occur as a sole practitioner or as part of a company of interior designers and/or architects. Graduates may also become specialists in areas including furniture design, lighting, event management, exhibition curation, interior magazine editing, academia, colour theory and universal design.

Open enrolment subjects

Open Enrolment Subjects

There are six open enrolment subjects in this degree. Students do not have to submit an Application Form for open enrolment subjects, and can enrol in APC100, BIA140, BIA170, BAS115, BAS140, and BAS145 (provided all subject pre-requisites are met).

Students who successfully complete two of these open enrolment subjects (of which one must be APC100) AND meet English language competency may apply under the Academic Eligibility category for admission for admission to the restricted Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) degree provided they have satisfied other eligibility criteria. See Entrance Requirements above for more details.

Students who successfully complete four of these open enrolment subjects (of which one must be APC100) may apply under the Academic Eligibility category for admission to the restricted Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) program provided they have satisfied other eligibility criteria. See Entrance Requirements above for more details.

Open enrolment subjects as electives

Students who do not satisfy all of the Eligibility requirements for this degree, or students who do not intend to apply for admission to this degree, may study the Open enrolment subjects as electives. Please refer to the Award Requirements or Electives sections on your degree page for information about the maximum number of level 1 electives you may include in your degree.

Higher education via OUA

• Successful completion of two of the following recommended six open enrolment subjects APC100, BIA140, BIA170, BAS115, BAS140, and BAS145 (of which one must be APC100) and separate English language proficiency is required OR
• Successful completion of four OUA full degree level subjects at pass level, of which one must be APC100. (This satisfies English language competency requirement.)

Higher education

Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required)

Secondary education

Tertiary Entrance Ranking 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc

VET studies

• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

Work and Life

• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
• Finished secondary education more than two years ago
• Bridging and enabling degree entry
  • Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
• Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.

Additional Information

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
• Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/
• English language proficiency

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

• Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
• Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
• Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
• Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
• Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.

*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***

Special requirements

Software Requirements —Students will require access to Adobe Creative Cloud (specifically InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop). The Student will be responsible for organising access to this software, and will be eligible for a student discount rate from Adobe.

Practicum placement

Minimum 80 hours' work experience in the industry is required before graduation. Students can contact Course Coordinator for more information at interiorarchitecture@curtin.edu.au.

The work experience must be in approved professional roles relevant to the degree.

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.

To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/

It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.

More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Interior Architecture).

Interior designers, as qualified professionals in Interior Architecture, design quality environments for a diverse range of users and functions. They coordinate the design and construction of building interiors including commercial, workplace, hospitality, medical, gallery, and retail environments. In addition, interior designers may be involved with more transient environments and the associated displays for trade fairs, exhibitions, museums, and public events. Their skills and knowledge are also utilised for adaptive reuse of existing buildings and conservation of significant sites. Interior designers require skills and understanding in all aspects of design, including technical knowledge of interior construction, equipment and building systems. They must also exercise ability in communication and administrative skills. The degree also provides a sound basis for more specialised careers and study in areas such as furniture or set design, education and/or research.

This degree is highly respected in the interior design industry, both nationally and internationally, and has alliances with a number of national and international universities which encourage student exchanges and national and international field trips. Students are encouraged to compete in national and international competitions, in which Curtin students always do very well.

In order to complete this degree, students are also required to complete at least 80 hours' work experience in the industry before graduation.

Recommended Study Pattern

Generally the degree is fully planned in sequential progression.

There are six open enrolment subjects – these subjects are APC100, BIA140, BIA170, BAS115, BAS140, and BAS145.

Completion of 2 of these subjects (one must be APC100) AND English language competency is sufficient for students to apply for the degree.

Completion of 4 of these subjects (one must be APC100) will be sufficient for students to apply for the degree.

The fourth year consists of either the Honours Interior Architecture Stream or the Interior Architecture Fourth Year Stream. Students with a course weighted average of 65 or greater will be invited to the Honours Stream. This Honours stream extends knowledge of current academic research methodology as it is applied in the field of Interior Architecture, demonstrated through a supervised research project and an Honours dissertation. Students undertake a sophisticated exploration of a core area of Interior Architecture deploying advanced research strategies to suit research projects including creative practice. The Fourth Year Stream extends knowledge of current academic research methodology as it is applied in the field of Interior Architecture. Students apply core theory, technological strategies and/or practices to a major Interior Architecture project. These streams consist of four shared core units and two stream-specific 50 credit units.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture), students must complete the following:

• 24 core subjects to complete (Including 2 double subjects)
• 6 Elective subject - Students can select the 6 subjects (we suggest/recommend it can be something in design, visual arts, humanities, or a related architecture subject) or subject(s) which will help them with the upcoming thesis in fourth year. Ultimately there is no other requirement than it be a 25 credit (or equivalent) subject in a Bachelor's level degree or higher.
• Work Experience: minimum 80 hours' work experience in the industry before graduation
• Students who fail a core subject twice may be terminated from the degree
• This degree must be completed in 10 years

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students are required to complete a total of 5 electives. These can be chosen from any undergraduate subject offered through OUA.

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.

2023 Changes

Curtin University is proposing a new version of the course in 2024, as a result of this, BIA100 Interior Design Studio - Elements will no longer be a required core unit. 

To help students in their transition to the new course in 2024, it is suggested that students undertake one of the following subjects as elective from the upcoming new and exciting specialisations instead:

• DIG10 Game Design Introduction (Animation and Game Architecture Design Specialisation)
• URP100 Governance for Planning (Planning and Geography Specialisation)
• URP110 Introduction to Planning (Planning and Geography Specialisation)
• CME101 Low Rise Construction (Construction Management Specialisation)

For further information or advice regarding this change, please contact Curtin Connect at Ask Connect | Curtin University

2022 Changes

During 2021, this degree has undergone a major degree review. As a result of this review a number of subjects have been removed from the degree, and some subjects have changed what year they should be taken in. Details are:

Subject Replacements

• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA110 Interior Design Studio 3 - Micro, you do not have to complete the new subject, BAS140 Architecture Design 2.
• If you have not completed (or been credited for) BIA130 Design Communication, you will have to complete the new subject, BAS145 Architecture Methods 2.
• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA145 Interior Methods, you do not have to complete the new subject, BAS115 Architecture Methods 1.
• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA210 Interior Design Studio 4- Residential, you do not have to complete the new subject, BAS200 Architecture Design 3.
• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA310 Interior Technology Systems, you do not have to complete the new subject, BAS310 Environmental and Technological Systems in Architecture.
• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA120 Philosophy and Practice, you do not have to complete the new subject, BIA280 Philosophy and Practice.

Removed Subjects

• If you have completed (or been credited for) BIA230 Spatial Experience and Aesthetics, this will be credited against one of the four required electives.

Electives can be from any year level on any topic, however we recommend selecting subjects that will support your studies in Interior Architecture, and especially be useful in your final research projects.

This is also summarised in a short video, please see the link below: Bachelor of Applied Science (Interior Architecture) Transition Arrangements

Should students have any other questions, they can contact Curtin Connect at Ask Connect | Curtin University