Bachelor of Interior Architecture

• General information
• Structure of the course
  • Design studios (72 credit points)
  • Studio specialisation (21 credit points)
  • Technology (36 credit points)
  • Theory of art and design (30 credit points)
  • Drawing and visual structures (6 credit points)
  • Digital imaging (9 credit points)
  • Professional practice (18 credit points)
  • Industrial collaboration and experience
  • Fourth-year studies
• Length of course/workload required
• Admission requirements
• Credit provision
• Fee structure
• Course program

General information

Course code: 2126 * Course abbreviation: BIA * Caulfield campus * Internal mode * Course coordinator: Michael Anderson
The Bachelor of Interior Architecture is a four-year, full-time degree program of education in the discipline and professional practice of interior architecture. It is intended for students who wish to seek professional or executive employment in the field of interior architecture or related areas of design activity.
Interior architecture is concerned with the range of commercial and domestic interiors ranging from the hospitality, entertainment, retail, health and transport industries to commercial offices and domestic interiors.
The interior architecture studio subjects are supported by specialist subjects in structures and services, building construction and materials, communication methods and media, ergonomics, exhibition design, furniture design, computer-aided design, professional practice, project research and planning and marketing. The course is further supported by subjects in the theory, history and contemporary discourse in art, design and architecture, as well as by introductory subjects in drawing and digital imaging.

Structure of the course

This four-year professional degree course is awarded either with or without honours depending upon the grade averages achieved during the course. The course is structured to give students the following areas of study.

Design studios (72 credit points)

This is the major study of the course. There are studios at each year stage.

Studio specialisation (21 credit points)

These include the following core subjects: Communication methods and media, Technical communications and drawing, Ergonomics, Exhibition design, Furniture design, Architectural and interior materials and finishes, Modelmaking and workshop practice. The material covered in these subjects is also applied in the studio project work.

Technology (36 credit points)

These include construction and materials, structures and seminar subjects which provide the core of the technical support studies. The theory covered in these subjects is also applied in the studio project work.

Theory of art and design (30 credit points)

Students study the theory, context and cultural aspects of art and design.

Drawing and visual structures (6 credit points)

Students take one six-credit-point subject in the first year. These studies are concerned with the development of perception, communication, and visual concepts, primarily using drawing media.

Digital imaging (9 credit points)

Students take the faculty's common subject, Digital imaging. Students later take two core subjects in architectural computing.

Professional practice (18 credit points)

These studies which are focused on the business practice aspects of design are provided by the faculty's common professional practice subjects. They include from the faculty program Professional practice, Effective communication (written and oral). Business management for design, and Project planning and research for interior architecture.

Industrial collaboration and experience

During the long recess between third and fourth year, students take a period of approximately six weeks of work in an interior architecture studio or related practice or commercial organisation. In many instances, this will be related to the topic which they intend to undertake in the final project. It is intended that in most instances this project will be undertaken in collaboration with an industry partner.

Fourth-year studies

In the third year, students take a project research and planning subject, during which they select a topic area for their fourth-year project, and undertake the basic strategic thinking and planning. In semester one of the fourth year, the discipline and strategic issues are further elaborated in the faculty's Research methods subject. This subject is offered to honours students throughout the faculty. A design studio subject and electives are also taken in semester one. In many instances, studies in the subjects will be focused on preparing the ground for the major interior architecture project.
During the second semester, students undertake a major studio project which will demonstrate their academic and professional attainment in the discipline and professional practice of interior architecture. They will also undertake theory of art and design's research seminar, which will require them to relate, in oral and written forms, the work they are undertaking in the studio, to its context, methodology and to the contemporary discourse. The focus in this subject is on the discipline aspects of the project. This is combined with a project seminar subject which is similar but which is focused on the professional practice aspects of the project.

Length of course/workload required

Four years of full-time study. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is 48 (contact and non-contact), with appropriate adjustment for any part-time study. An 80 per cent attendance record for studios, lectures, seminars etc is required before a student may present for assessment in any subject. Exceptions will be subject to the approval of the course coordinator.

Admission requirements

The course is offered through the VTAC system. Entry is by portfolio, interview and ENTER. Completion of VCE English units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 25. Applications will also be considered on the basis of other qualifications assessed as equivalent to the VCE.

Credit provision

Credit will be granted for equivalent studies completed elsewhere at approved institutions. Advanced standing in the course for students who have completed part of similar courses at Australian or international universities will be considered up to a maximum of two years and in accordance with other regulations of Monash University. Each application for credit or advanced standing will be considered on its own merits.

Fee structure

For students with Australian residency this course falls within the middle band of HECS liability. The fee for international students will be set by the vice-chancellor from time to time (currently $14,000 per annum).

Note that all courses and subjects are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them.
cps: credit points - the total student workload per week including in and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

Course program

Note that all courses and subjects are subject to ongoing review and minor amendments to improve them. Teaching hours quoted are based on student groups of 20. Where group size is less than 20, some consolidation of teaching will occur.
cps: credit points - the total student workload per week including in and out-of-class work is normally obtained by doubling the credit points.

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