Master of Interior Architecture

Specialise in how people experience spaces and expand your career prospects.

Advance your interior design skills

Reimagine the places we live, work, play, eat, shop, exercise, and learn. Take identity, mood, performance, and the physical comfort of a structure into consideration in your design work.

Through this research-based programme, you’ll consider the relationships between materials, people, and space. You’ll explore Interior Architecture in different contexts—considering it through social, cultural, sustainable, psychological, behavioural, and technological lenses.

Study Interior Architecture to design spaces that make a difference to people's wellbeing and create a better future.

Part-time study options

YYou can complete the MIA part time in up to four years. For example, if you study two courses per trimester you will study 20 to 23 hours a week.

Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

21%

Patient treatment times can be reduced 21% by a well-designed hospital.
– Royal Institute of British Architects

️How you’ll study

The MIA is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and studio-based. You’ll focus on professional Interior Architecture design, representation, and implementation.

Part one—coursework

In your first year, you'll complete seven taught courses. Six are compulsory and one elected.

You'll:

• learn to successfully apply design strategies through all stages of the design process
• focus on technologies and materials
• examine history, theory, and criticism in interior architecture
• learn about professional practice, including your legal and ethical obligations.

You’ll also complete a research-based, advanced design project. During this, you'll learn to identify questions and explore processes. You’ll develop effective ways to present and communicate your research findings.

Part two—research portfolio

During the second year, you'll complete a ngā kohinga rangahau / research portfolio or thesis under supervision from academic staff in the School.

The School of Architecture has three main research areas:

• sustainability and wellbeing—research about resilient and sustainable cities, designing for wellbeing and positive social impact, and design for indigenous people and minorities
• performance and technology—building performance, construction technologies and materials, and simulation methods and virtual spaces
• creative and critical—design research, representation, and history and theory.

You can find out more about the research streams and study options available by talking to Interior Architecture academic staff.

Get the postgraduate Architecture and Design Innovation handbook

Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation handbook.

Download the handbook

Scholarships

As an MIA graduate, you might work as a professional or specialist within an interior design or architecture firm, or in the interior division of a large, multidisciplinary design company.

You might work in roles such as:

• interior designer
• exhibition designer
• stage or screen set designer
• retail designer
• lighting designer
• furniture designer
• environmental designer.

You might also make a career in teaching or research.

International recognition

The University’s Master of Interior Architecture programme is internationally recognised through affiliation to the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and the Interior Design/Interior Architecture Educators Association (IDEA).

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Community

Through postgraduate study you will build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions. Postgraduate students in the Wellington School of Architecture play a vital role in developing high-quality research outputs. Research findings are often presented at national and international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed journals. Many of our postgraduate alumni have become industry leaders in their chosen field. You'll also benefit from the expertise of working professionals through the Faculty's connections with local industry.

The Postgraduate Students' Association can also give you information on study at the University, and provides a voice for you on campus.

Careers

As an Interior Architecture graduate, you might work as a specialist within an interior design or architecture firm, or in the interior division of a large, multidisciplinary design company. You might also work as an exhibition designer, stage or screen set designer, or retail designer. Other jobs may include lighting designer, furniture designer, or environmental designer. You might also make a career in teaching or research.

21%

How much patient treatment times can be reduced by a well-designed hospital. – Royal Institute of British Architects

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Applicable scholarships

• John Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship
• Wellington Graduate Award.

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Work opportunities

Work as a tutor

You may be able to tutor undergraduate Interior Architecture courses based on your academic performance. If you are interested in becoming a tutor, get in contact with the tutor coordinator, or staff will seek out tutors for their classes.

Work as a research assistant

You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.

These contracts are decided in negotiation with academics in an area of interest.

Join our postgraduate community

Through postgraduate study you’ll build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.