About this program
Master's Program in Interior Architecture
Interior architecture addresses the close human scale of space and furniture to create meaning and value to people and organisations, and to transform and renew the everyday living environment. Dealing with the design of immediate interior and exterior environments, interior architecture requires understanding on human culture, needs and aspirations, the bodily experience and senses, and the spatial, material and technological means to meet these. A skilled interior architect is capable of integrating diverse elements into functional and experiential design solutions that exceed the users’ and clients’ expectations and are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable.
The program educates interior architects with a distinct design personality. It comprises studies on spatial design and furniture design. Concrete design assignments form a major part of education. The studies emphasize advanced practical design skills combined with conceptual and strategic design thinking and research-driven design. Students are encouraged to expand the frontiers of the discipline by addressing systems level problems and societal challenges across the scale of built environment.
Admission requirements
You are eligible to apply in master's admissions if you have a bachelor’s degree. The bachelor's degree must be equivalent to 180 ECTS credits or three years of full-time study. The degree must give eligibility to apply for master’s degree studies at university in the awarding country. The awarding higher education institution has to be a recognized part of the official national education system of the country. It has to be accredited as a degree-granting higher education institution by the country where it is located or by a relevant international organisation (such as UNESCO).
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Program content
Compulsory Studies
- Methodology
Choose at least one methodology course
- Introduction to Architectural Research
- Pre-Thesis Seminar
Alternative Studies
The student chooses four (4) courses from the competence area offerings.
Courses have to be taken from both competence areas (at least one course from the other comptence are).
Furniture Design
- Furniture: Material, Structure and Shape
- Furniture: From Structure to Product and Production
- Woodstudio: Design Project
- Furniture: Form and Function
Spatial Design
- Neglected Space
- Space in Practice
- Identity of Space
- Researching Space
Thematic Cross-disciplinary Courses
The student selects freely two (2) courses from the thematic cross-disciplinary courses.
- Street Furniture
- Introduction to Lighting Design
- Service Design for Interior Architects
Elective Studies
Elective courses offered by the Interior Architecture Program
- Training
- Project module
- Competitions
- Literature
Recommended elective courses offered by other Programs
- Designing for Urban Governance and Services
- Textiles for Interiors and Architecture
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Tuition
For non-EU/EEA citizens: €15000/year
Qualification
Upon completion of the program, students will graduate with a Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree.
Continuing studies
The program prepares its graduates also for doctoral studies.
Career paths
Career opportunities vary from entrepreneurship to expert tasks in private and public organisations. Graduates work as interior architects in design and architect studios, as independent entrepreneurs, and as in-house designers in industry. They also work as designers, managers, researchers and teachers, and engage in artistic practice.
Interior architects may focus on various areas, such as workspaces, retail spaces or care environments. Their tasks typically include spatial, surface, interior and lighting design in interior renovations and alterations. They also work on exhibition design and the design of other temporary structures, concept design, branding and corporate identity design, and design of furniture, lighting fixtures and other interior design components. Strategic, conceptual and managerial designer roles are increasingly common.
About this institute
Aalto University
With a unique combination of technology, arts and business programmes, of which more than 100 are offered in English, Aalto University is an excellent study choice for international students. Around 25% of our 13,000 degree students are international, making us...
