Interior design courses

Your course will typically cover:

• The foundations of interior design theory, helping you understand space, form, and function

• Practical design skills, such as drafting technical documentation and managing contracts

• The impact of materials, lighting, joinery and furniture on the mood, style, and usability of a space

• How to approach design with critical and creative thinking, especially when solving complex client challenges

• The ability to develop innovative spatial solutions that reflect both aesthetic and functional needs

You’ll be encouraged to explore, experiment and grow in confidence as a designer, ready to shape inspiring interiors.

It depends on the interior design course that you choose, and what's available at your time of enrolment. Here’s a general guide:

If you study your interior design degree through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

Entry requirements for studying interior design can vary depending on the course and university you choose. Some courses may ask for previous study experience, or an ATAR score.

However, there are several alternative entry pathways you can take through Open Universities Australia, even if you haven’t studied in a while or didn’t finish school.

You can qualify for entry into an interior design degree by:

• Enrolling in open-entry interior design subjects. These don't have any formal entry requirements. Once you successfully complete these subjects, you will be eligible to transition into the full degree.

• Enrolling in an Undergraduate Certificate in Interior Design. This introductory-level qualification has no entry requirements, and only takes six months to complete. You will then meet the entry requirements for the degree.

Contact our friendly student advisors for more information about this. If you take the open-entry subjects route, for example, it's important to understand which subjects will help you meet the requirements for the degree you're interested in. Our advisors can talk you through it.

While these two fields are related, there are key differences.

Interior architecture is concerned with the structure and special layout and planning of interior spaces. Meanwhile, interior design is the art of using fashion, fixtures and decorative lighting to increase the aesthetics and usability of a space.

Read more about the differences between interior architecture vs interior design on our blog.

Yes, absolutely. Many of the interior design courses listed here incorporate Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) components such as internships, live briefs, and industry projects to ensure you graduate with real-world skills. Some universities even partner with industry greats like Vogue Australia to offer you mentoring opportunities.

It will depend on your course and university, but you’ll generally learn how to bring your designs to life through software like:

• AutoCAD, which is widely used for creating precise 2D and 3D drawings.

• SketchUp Pro, which interior designers rely on for 3D modelling and visualisation.

• Revit, Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that’s used for creating detailed 3D models. It’s often included in advanced interior design courses to teach students about integrated design and documentation processes.

• Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. This software is used for editing images, creating mood boards, and presenting design concepts.

Most universities provide you with free access to Adobe Creative Cloud, while you may be required to obtain your own licenses for other software. Your teachers will advise you on this at the beginning of your course. You can generally access an educational subscription for the software you need at a discounted rate.

Depending on the particular online interior design course or interior design degree you choose to study, you may find employment in one of the following roles:

• Interior designer or stylist

• Virtual environment designer

• Residential designer

• Property stylist or real estate home stager

• Soft furnishings consultant

• Events and installation designer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

There sure are. If you're curious about spaces, design, or how people interact with their environment, but interior design doesn’t feel like the right fit, there are plenty of related fields you might explore:

And if you’re still unsure where your passion lies, we’re here to help. Book a free consultation with an Open Universities Australia student advisor and discover study options that align with your interests, strengths, and the future you want to create.