program
Dream, inspire and create. This ARIDO- and IDC-recognized, hands-on program will prepare you for your career as a professional interior designer.
Downtown location update
This program is currently offered at the Barrie Campus and will transition to Georgian’s downtown location in a phased approach beginning winter 2027 to align with the opening of the new facility.Program information
Program description
Intake information
| Start date | Campus |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Barrie |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- Check the Bring Your Own Device requirements for this program.
- 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.
What are the admission requirements for the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program?
admission requirements
Accreditation
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
The interior design program leading to the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The granted by meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
Turn your Interior Decorating diploma into a degree
Graduates of Interior Decorating diploma programs from any Ontario college with a minimum 70 per cent GPA (B average) can apply to the Advanced Standing stream of this program.
What career paths can I take as an interior designer?
Your Honours Bachelor of Interior Design degree gives you many 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.
Georgian College provided us with a well-rounded knowledge base in all areas of competencies that would be tested on the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) exams, as well as when entering the industry. The small class sizes provide a hands-on learning experience with one-on-one interaction that contributed to a thorough understanding of all project criteria and concepts. The education we received in the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program made us feel well prepared in our profession.—Katie Cannell, Intermediate Designer at Aspen & Ivy (class of 2020)
—Jessica Davies-Thompson, NCIDQ, ARIDO, Interior Designer at Design by Bobbi (class of 2020)
Why study Honours Bachelor of Interior Design 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.
I chose Georgian because it’s a leader in co-op education. This was important to me because I’m an international student and wanted Canadian work experience. Georgian not only helped with securing a co-op work term, it gave me lots of opportunity to apply my skills. The best part? I’m still working part-time for my co-op employer, and getting even more experience.
Nguyen Huong Giang, Honours Bachelor of Interior Design student
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.
I feel very lucky to be attending the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program at Georgian College. The professors are recognized professionals in the field, who curate their knowledge to individual student needs. The program covers a wide variety of topics from technical drawings to aesthetics and creativity. Georgian provides students with practical and professional skills, preparing them for whatever they may encounter in their future of design.
Brooke Habner, Honours Bachelor of Interior Design student
Scholarship show, design competitions, and community engagement
Scholarship show, design competitions and community engagement
Every year, the Design and Visual Arts (DVA) Scholarship Show showcases the top students from across the academic area.
With awards supported and judged by industry partners, this show is an excellent opportunity for all who are chosen, to display their work to potential employers and experts in their field!
Within the context of your classwork, students participate in design competitions such as our community-partnered Napoleon Design Competition, and various local and international industry competitions as well as create process-based designs engaging users in prototype testing.
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.
Meet our faculty
Learn from passionate, experienced professors
-
Alexandra Hutchison
BA, MFA, Professor
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Andrea Vorstermans-Zado
BFA, M.Arch., LEED AP, Registered Educator ARIDO, Professor and Program Coordinator
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Fariba Molki
MA, PhD, ARIDO Educator, Professor
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Leah Sherwood
MA, LEED AP, Professor
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Lidia van Zyl
M.RD, B.com (Hons.), B.TRP, ARIDO Educator, Professor
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Michael Farnan
BFA, MFA, PhD, Professor
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Michael Guido
BA, M.Arch., OAA, LEED AP, Professor
-
Tara O’Neil
B.A.A, MDes, NCIDQ, PhD, Professor
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Terry Ledger
BA, MA, LEED AP, WELL AP, NCIDQ, ARIDO, IDC, IIDA, CCIDC, Professor
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Vanessa Simpson
B.ID., M.PI., Professor
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.
Data source: Georgian College Student by Program Retention Reports
- Of the students graduating in 2022, 91.7 per cent graduated within four years.
- Of the students graduating in 2021, 100 per cent graduated within four years.
- Of the students graduating in 2020, 100 per cent graduated within four years.
Data source: Annual Graduate Record File Submission to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities
- Of the 12 graduates from summer 2021, fall 2021 and winter 2022, 88 per cent (of those surveyed) were employed in interior design or a related field within six months of graduation.
Data source: Graduate Survey – Outcomes by Program Report, summer 2021, fall 2021, winter 2022
- Of the 4 graduates from summer 2020, fall 2020 and winter 2021, 810 per cent (of those surveyed) were employed in interior design or a related field within six months of graduation.
Data source: Graduate Survey – Outcomes by Program Report, summer 2020, fall 2020, winter 2021
- Of the 12 graduates (those surveyed), who completed their program in the summer 20-21/fall 2021/winter 2022 academic year, none applied for admission to a graduate program/further education
Data source: KPI Graduate Satisfaction Survey
- Of the 4 graduates (those surveyed), who completed their program in the summer 2020/fall 2020/winter 2021 academic year, one applied for admission to a graduate program/further education
Data source: KPI Graduate Satisfaction Survey
What courses are included in the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design degree program?
Course overview
34 Core Courses
4 Non-Core Courses
6 Elective Non-Core Courses
1 Co-op Work Term
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program outline.
- 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.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Check out our other related programs
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Do you have questions about Honours Bachelor of Interior Design? Contact us!
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