New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential) (Level 5)

Join the NZ Diploma in Interior Design to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to analyse, conceptualise, and implement design solutions for residential spaces. You'll develop industry-recognized standards of knowledge and skills and cultivate work habits and practices suitable for further training and employment in the interior design sector.

Campus
SIT Online
Qualification
Diploma
Level
5
Credits
120
Duration

Four years part-time

Dates
TBC
Tuition Fees

Zero tuition fees

Direct Material Costs

$8.00 per credit (incl. GST)

International Fees

$100.00 per credit (incl. GST). See International.

Course Outline
  • Gain skills and knowledge required to analyse and conceptualise design and implement solutions for interior design residential spaces
  • Develop knowledge and skills to standards recognised by the interior design industry sector as appropriate
  • Develop work habits and practice appropriate for further training and employment in the interior design sector
Course Content

Please note that only IDR501 – 504 will be available during 2023

IDR501 Design Principles and History (15 credits) This paper provides students with a solid understanding of residential design history and the skills to apply this knowledge to fulfil client briefs. 

IDR502 Products and Materials (15 credits) This paper provides students with the ability to apply specialised knowledge of products and materials to a range of residential design applications.

IDR503 Design Development (15 credits) This paper aims to equip students with the skills to conceptualise and develop residential interior design solutions to client briefs.

IDR504 Design Planning (15 credits) This paper aims to equip students with the skills to plan and coordinate residential interior design solutions to client briefs.

IDR505 Business of Design (15 credits) This paper equips students with the skills to coordinate residential interior design processes, within a framework of appropriate Business practices and procedures. 

IDR506 Construction Theory (15 credits) This paper teaches students to utilize construction theory in their residential interior design work to ensure suitability and compliance with regulatory environment. 

IDR507 Design Portfolio (15 credits) This paper expands student’s ability to visually communicate their residential interior design knowledge and skills through the creation of a professional portfolio.

IDR508 Design Delivery (15 credits) This paper explores the communication of residential interior design solutions through the presentation of students’ portfolios. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this qualification will be able to work in the residential interior design industry in a variety of roles, including: - Interior designer (residential) - Interior design product specifier - Colour consultant - Design stylist - Design project coordinator.

Application Criteria

Prior to enrolment, candidates must have completed the New Zealand Certificate in Interior Décor (Level 4) [Ref: 3664] or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills in the same or a related field.

All applicants should demonstrate a keen interest in interior design and demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of successful completion of the programme of study.

Likelihood of success may be demonstrated through a variety of means, including: relevant work experience, Curriculum Vitae, letter of intent, achievement of NCEA standards in art, graphics, or other relevant subjects, or through an interview.

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2.

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at Level 5 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate.  Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

An International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- Level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English, or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction, or

Successful completion of a Bachelors’ Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment:

IELTS test - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5

TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)

TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)

Cambridge English Examination – B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162.  No less than 154 in each skill

OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests

NZCEL - Level 4 (General) or (Employment)

Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36

Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS

Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit in any band

Qualification Pathways

This qualification can lead to further study in the field through the New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Commercial) (Level 6) [Ref: 3666] or study in a relevant field at degree level.

Are you a domestic or international student?

By submitting this form, I agree to the Privacy Notice and consent to receiving email communications from Southern Institute of Technology and its business divisions about learning options, services, news and events.