Interior Design
Degree Awarded: | Bachelor of Interior Design (BID) (students admitted Fall 2023 and earlier) Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) (students admitted Fall 2024 and after) |
Administered by: | School of Interior Design |
Program Format: | Full-time, four-year program. Full-time, five-year co-op program. |
O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English and Grade 11 U or M or Grade 12 U Mathematics (one of MCF3M, MCR3U, MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U).
Notes:
- ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
- A grade of 70 percent or higher is required in Grade 12 U English and a grade of 60 percent or higher is required in the Mathematics prerequisite.
- A creative project submission including written and visual elements will be required and will be used along with the applicant’s academic performance in the admission process. The exact details of the creative project are subject to change from year to year. As part of the admission selection process, applicants must visit the Program page for details about the non-academic requirements.
- A non-academic assessment fee of $50 CAD (non-refundable and subject to change) is required.
- Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.
This program prepares graduates for a career as an Interior Designer or in related design fields such as set design or exhibition design. Most graduates enter directly into their design career on graduation, although a growing number go on to graduate education in Interior Design or in related fields such as Architecture. Many graduates go on to become registered members of A.R.I.D.O. (Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario) or of the Interior Design Associations in other provinces.
Our teaching is grounded in a commitment to experiential and hands-on learning using critical thinking complemented by making. An internship requirement is an integral part of the preparation for entering the profession and is completed before graduation.
The first year concentrates on giving all students a common base of theory, knowledge and skills. In the second year, Interior Design is a key professional course conducted in conjunction with other supportive and developmental courses. From the beginning students are encouraged to become self-sufficient with the guidance and assistance of the faculty.
The third and fourth years are very open, allowing students to obtain a broad range of design experience or to focus in an area of specialization.
The program is centred on the Interior Design Studios, a series of courses that involve the application and synthesis of all accumulated understanding and capabilities to develop competency in creative problem-solving.
Courses in Liberal Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and the History and Theory of Design provide intellectual depth and breadth and prepare the graduate for the legal, social and ethical responsibilities of professional practice. Communication skills, emphasized throughout the program, develop a high level of mastery in a wide range of professional visualization techniques as well as in writing and oral presentation. Technology studies cover principles and practice, regulations and standards of interior construction, material finishes, building services, sustainable design, barrier-free access and environmental health.
The optional co-op program assists students in becoming career-ready through direct engagement in professional design offices. This program begins after the second year of study. Students who do not elect the co-op option are required to complete 400 hours of a monitored and documented internship. Typically, this internship is undertaken by students in the summer between third and fourth years.
Interior Design Co-operative Program Overview
An optional co-operative education program is available which provides students with 12 months of work experience which will complement their classroom studies and support the development of essential employability skills required for the workforce, including communication, collaboration and problem-solving.
Although the Career & Co-op Centre cannot guarantee placements, it provides assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-op program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.
Students who have completed the first semester of the regular program must apply through the department for admission to the co-operative program before the end of the first year. Enrolment in the co-op program is limited. Admission will be based on a student's cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and an application portfolio.
Sequencing of Academic and Work terms
The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:
Work terms are graded on a pass/fail basis. Each work term is assessed by the Co-op Faculty Advisor on the basis of the student's comprehensive written report and the employer's evaluation of the student's performance on the job.
Students are expected to follow the sequence prescribed for their program. Graduation with the co-op designation requires successful completion of a minimum of 3 work terms.
Liberal Studies
Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.
Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .
Table B - Upper Level Restrictions
IRL 500 is not available for credit. Students may take only two Psychology courses for credit.
Minors
Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.
The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates
Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window) for complete details.
3rd & 4th Semester
Last offered 2024-2025 to students admitted Fall 2023. Students admitted Fall 2024 and after see revised curriculum.
REQUIRED:
- IRC 312 Communications III
- IRC 412 Communications IV
- IRD 300 Design Dynamics Studio III
- IRD 400 Design Dynamics Studio IV
- IRH 101 History of Interior Design 1850-Present
- IRH 201 Evolution of Canadian Interiors
- IRN 301 Interior Design Studio III
- IRN 401 Interior Design Studio IV
- IRT 211 Technology II
- IRT 301 Technology III
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
5th & 6th Semester
Last offered 2025-2026 to students admitted Fall 2023 and earlier. Students admitted Fall 2024 and after see revised curriculum.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
CORE ELECTIVE: Two courses from Table I.
7th & 8th Semester
Last offered 2026-2027 to students admitted Fall 2023 and earlier. Students admitted Fall 2024 and after see revised curriculum.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
Two courses from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.
1st & 2nd Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2024-2025 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
3rd & 4th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2026-2027 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
7th & 8th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2027-2028 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
1st & 2nd Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2024-2025 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
3rd & 4th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.
5th & 6th Semester
5th Semester
First offered Winter 2027 to students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
6th Semester
First offered Fall 2027 to students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
7th & 8th Semester
Revised curriculum begins 2028-2029 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
CORE ELECTIVE: One course from Table I.
OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective.
LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).
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