Studies & Degrees in Interior Design
Interior Design Study Programs
Interior design is the planning of indoor spaces so that they are functional, safe and pleasant to use. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the work as determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items such as colours, lighting and materials. It goes beyond decoration: designers must be able to draw, read and edit blueprints, and they need to know building codes, inspection regulations and accessibility standards.
What students learn
Programmes combine studio projects with technical subjects. Students learn to measure and plan a space, to draw by hand and with computer-aided design (CAD) software, and to build scale models. The BLS notes that designers often use building information modelling (BIM) software to create three-dimensional visualisations. Technical courses cover materials, construction, lighting and furniture.
Project briefs range widely. At London Metropolitan University, for example, the BA course works on live projects from retail, workspace and hospitality to education and healthcare, and includes work experience with an interior design company. Graduates often specialise later, for instance in corporate, healthcare, kitchen and bath, sustainable or universal (accessible) design. Schools may ask applicants for sketches or a portfolio.
Qualifications and levels
- Spain. Interior design is one of the four specialities of the higher arts education in design (enseñanzas artísticas superiores de Diseño), together with graphic, product and fashion design. The curriculum has four academic years of 60 credits each, 240 credits in total, and leads to an official higher qualification in arts education. University bachelor's degrees (grados) in the subject also have 240 ECTS credits.
- Italy. At IAAD. in Turin the interior design course takes three years and 180 credits, is taught in Italian and leads to a Diploma Accademico di I Livello (EQF level 6). The Florence Institute of Design International offers one- and two-year diplomas, a three-year bachelor's degree issued in collaboration with Goldsmiths, University of London, and a one-year master's, with classes in English.
- United States. Programmes exist at associate's, bachelor's and master's level. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) publishes a list of accredited programmes; it includes, for example, the Bachelor of Fine Arts at Purdue University in West Lafayette and the BA or BS in Interior Design at Illinois State University.
- Master's degrees. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. At Domus Academy in Milan the Master in Interior & Living Design is taught in English and comes in two versions: an 11-month programme of 60 ECTS credits accredited by the Italian Ministry (MUR) and a 14-month dual award of 90 ECTS credits with UK validation.
- Short courses. Private schools also run short and summer courses. Ask the school what recognition the certificate has before enrolling.
Where to study
SpainExchange lists 109 active schools for interior design. The United States has 51, Spain 19, the United Kingdom 7 and Italy 6; Canada and Argentina have 3 each, and Mexico, Uruguay and the United Arab Emirates 2 each.
In the United States the list includes large public universities such as The Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specialist colleges such as Boston Architectural College and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and two-year colleges such as Des Moines Area Community College. In Italy it includes the Politecnico di Milano, Domus Academy, FUA in Florence, the Florence Institute of Design International and IAAD. in Turin. In Spain one example is the Escuela de Diseño CEADE Leonardo in Seville. Other listed schools are London Metropolitan University, Griffith College Dublin and the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico.
Teaching is normally in the language of the country. Italy is an exception worth noting: some design schools there teach in English, while others, such as IAAD., teach in Italian. Check the language of each programme before applying.
Careers
Interior designers work in design studios, architecture and engineering firms, retail and construction, and many are self-employed. In the United States they held about 97,100 jobs in 2025, according to the BLS: 30% in specialised design services and 26% self-employed. The BLS projects employment to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 7,700 openings a year.
Rules on the profession differ between countries. In the United States licensure requirements vary by state; where the title is restricted, candidates for the state-approved exam need at least a bachelor's degree in interior design and two years of full-time work experience. Students who plan to work elsewhere should check the rules of that country.
Frequently asked questions
Is interior design the same as interior decoration?
No. Decoration deals with finishes and furnishings. Interior design also covers space planning, technical drawings, building codes, accessibility and the coordination of works with architects and builders.
How long does it take to study interior design?
It depends on the country and level. The Spanish higher design studies take four years (240 credits), the IAAD. course in Turin takes three years (180 credits), and a master's such as the one at Domus Academy takes 11 to 14 months.
Do I need a portfolio to apply?
Often, yes. According to the BLS, applicants to interior design programmes may need to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability. Each school sets its own requirements.
Can I study interior design in English outside an English-speaking country?
Yes. In Italy, for example, the Florence Institute of Design International teaches all its classes in English, and the Master in Interior & Living Design at Domus Academy in Milan is taught in English.