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| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Honours Bachelor of Interior Design
Program Description
Express your creativity and become a leader in the growing field of interior design. At Georgian College, we value the potential of our students and provide an innovative and collaborative learning experience with a focus on hands-on learning. Access to current digital technology, and a four-month Co-op semester offer exceptional job preparation that is well recognized by the professional community. Students in this program work closely with faculty who have extensive industry experience in a studio environment similar to a professional design office. You are challenged to rethink the built environment by advocating positive change in a rapidly evolving global context.
Explore and design sustainable interior environments that support and enhance human health, safety, well-being, performance, and experience. At Georgian, you construct sophisticated interior designs and document construction drawings and specifications to communicate concept development and design resolution and to celebrate creative vision.
Founded on the broader aspects of evidence-based research, professional practice, and design integrity, this ARIDO recognized bachelor’s degree program provides opportunities to explore your personal expression and establishes you as an innovator in the field of interior design.
Intake Information
- Start date: Fall 2025
- Campus: Barrie
Tuition and Fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
Work-Integrated Learning
- This program includes a co-op work term component where you’ll gain experience in a workplace related to your field of study.
- Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.
Admission Requirements
Honours Bachelor of Interior Design Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, mature student status
- Minimum overall average of 65 per cent
- Six Grade 12 U or M level courses including:
- Grade 12 U English with a minimum grade of 65 percent
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 U or M level Mathematics with a minimum grade of 60 percent
Mature applicants may also be considered for admission to this program providing their previous school performance and/or recent work record suggests a strong possibility of academic success. In order to qualify, applicants must be 19 years of age on or before the commencement of the program and must have been away from formal education for at least one year immediately prior to beginning studies. Mature applicants must meet subject prerequisites prior to registration.
Applicants should be aware that first-year enrolment is limited; satisfying minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
Selection Process
Digital Portfolio
There are a total of four creative pieces plus one written document that need to be submitted. The following five pieces must be submitted as they are described:
- Perspective line drawing of a chair: black line with construction lines to show proper perspective methods are encouraged. You may use your choice of medium (by hand).
- Perspective line drawing of an interior space or building façade. This should be from an actual space or building and not from your imagination or an abstract method. You may use your choice of medium (by hand).
- Colour still life study demonstrating your use of colour and composition must include the following: teacup and saucer (the cup must not be placed in the saucer), a book, a transparent glass vessel and a silver candlestick. You may use your choice of medium. (All in one drawing.) Note: It is essential that these drawings be created from looking at actual objects and buildings, not from your imagination and not from a photograph. Submissions are reviewed specifically to assess your ability to draw with realistic and accurate depth, perspective, and proportions, as well as to assess your representation of texture, reflection, shade, and shadow.
- A work of your choice which may include a three-dimensional object you have designed or created, a subject or type of work which is not included in the list above, or work related to interior design.
- A written document of 350 words, which describes your interest in and knowledge of the interior design field. We strongly recommend you research and refer to current issues in the interior design profession and include any influences affecting your decision to pursue a career in the interior design discipline.
- Provide a description of each image included in your portfolio (i.e., Date, Medium, Image/Concept, etc.)
- Include the following on the Cover Sheet:
- Full Name
- OCAS and/or Georgian College Student number (both if available)
- Address including City/Town
- Telephone number
- E-mail address
Submit portfolio to Honours Bachelor of Interior Design Co-ordinator, Design and Visual Arts at .
File name: The entire portfolio must be submitted as one multiple-page file in Adobe .pdf file format. The file name must include your name and your 9 digit Georgian College student number. For example, yournameinteriordesign.pdf. It is suggested to create your portfolio in a PowerPoint file and save to a .pdf file for submission.
Portfolio Due Date: Portfolios are due within two weeks of application. Offers are extended on a ‘first come first served’ basis and therefore it is in an applicant’s best interest to submit all required documentation promptly.
Career Opportunities
There are numerous avenues to pursue for productive and creative interior design careers. These pathways include corporate/office design, residential and condominium design, hospitality design, retail design, exhibition design, health care design, civic design, and historic preservation. Many graduates enter directly into positions within established interior design and architectural firms. Career opportunities also include interior design positions in government, facilities space planning, and real estate development.
Why Study at Georgian?
Integrated Curriculum
Our program is focused on a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to provide our students with a solid foundation to develop skills, achieve goals and launch a successful career in the design industry.
Georgian’s unique learning style includes a core creative design problem, developed in studio, supported by digital media, communications and building science courses.
This style of teaching will allow you to showcase your work and produce industry standard design and documentation projects. For a glimpse, check out the interior design student award winners gallery.
Small Class Sizes
Our small class sizes provide you with beneficial one-on-one learning in a mentor-style relationship with instructors.
You’ll also develop strong relationships with classmates. As you will learn not only from your instructors but from peers, camaraderie between students is critical to the learning process and your growth as a designer.
Relevant Work Experience
Practical, hands-on learning gives you the skills, networking and competitive edge needed to succeed in the industry!
A 14-week, full-time co-op experience is included between the third and fourth years of the program, during which you’ll gain relevant work experience in the field.
Industry partners who hire our students for co-op work terms include design firms, architecture firms and construction companies.
Exceptional Learning Environment
At Georgian, we take pride in our exceptional classroom experience. Faculty work hard to integrate guest speakers, field trips, guest reviews and community partnerships. Read the story of our 2022 graduating class who participated in an ARIDO industry competition as a course-based activity.
You’ll also be encouraged to collaborate with community partners, where opportunities for think tank design development are explored and developed.
Expert Faculty
Learn from professionals working in the field of interior design. Georgian faculty are highly trained experts with years of experience, advanced degrees, and industry connections.
Industry Recognition
Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO)
The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) is the professional body for interior designers in Ontario.
Georgian’s Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program is an ARIDO-recognized interior design program in Ontario. In collaboration with ARIDO, graduating students can apply for intern status through the Alternative Pathways into ARIDO Membership.
Additionally, graduating fourth-year students are encouraged to display their work with on the ARIDO blog each spring to celebrate their thesis accomplishments and share their talents with the design community in Ontario.
Student Achievement Data
- 84.2 per cent of the students enrolled in fall 2022 (years 1, 2, 3) returned in the fall 2023 to continue their studies in the Bachelor of Interior Design, putting attrition at 15.8 per cent.
- 75.6 per cent of the students enrolled in fall 2021 (years 1, 2, 3) returned in the fall 2022 to continue their studies in the Bachelor of Interior Design, putting attrition at 24.4 per cent.
Course Overview
34 Core Courses
4 Non-Core Courses
6 Elective Non-Core Courses
1 Co-op Work Term
Program-Specific Courses
- INDE 1001 – Design Communications
- INDE 1003 – Sustainable Practices
- INDE 1009 – Interior Design Studio 1
- INDE 1010 – Design Theory
Your Course Delivery Method(s)
In Person
This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.
Related Programs
- Architectural Technology
- Art and Design Fundamentals
- Carpentry and Renovation Techniques
- Graphic Design
Meet Our Faculty
- Alexandra Hutchison
- Andrea Vorstermans-Zado
- Fariba Molki
- Jessica Frehr
- Leah Sherwood
- Lidia van Zyl
- Michael Farnan
- Michael Guido
- Tara O’Neil
- Terry Ledger
- Vanessa Simpson
