New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Commercial)
Course details
About the course
This programme is an extension of the New Zealand Diploma of Interior Design (Residential) (which is also a prerequisite for this commercial programme) and prepares you to develop your knowledge and extend your skills into commercial environments. If you’re looking to enter the commercial interiors industry or if you’re already working in this field and would like hold the formal qualification, this is the programme for you.
Our industry focused approach to learning interior design, means that in addition to developing your necessary knowledge and skills in commercial interior design, we also integrate you into the industry. You’ll do this through practical learning, facilitated industry connections, working on actual client projects, guest speakers from industry, undertaking internships within specialist design practices, and much more.
This diploma will advance your technical knowledge and skills of CAD, consenting and documentation processes, products, materials and lighting design in order to equip you to design for complex environments within the retail, hospitality and workplace sectors.
Highlights
- Highly industry integrated and connected
- Work in 2 internships with practising commercial designers
- Work on actual client projects
- Practical projects which model current design processes used within industry practice.
- Off site visits to trade suppliers and manufacturers
- Guest speakers from industry
- Programme content includes lighting design and furniture design
- Focus on “work ready skills” that can be used in practice
- Knowledgeable and skilled staff. Many of your lecturers are practising professionals at the top in their field
- Is a continued pathway from the New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential)
Qualification pathway
The New Zealand Certificate in Interior Design (Residential) is a prerequisite of for this Commercial programme.
Once you’ve completed this programme you can go onto to work in the commercial and/or residential interior industry in the careers or similar careers as listed above.
As a Unitec Interior Design student and graduate, you can also join the Designers Institute of New Zealand.
Scholarship
We are awarding a $750 Interior Design (Commercial) Study Award Scholarship to encourage students beginning their New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Commercial) at Unitec and to help cover education-related costs. Find out more about the scholarship.
Career Options
- Commercial interior designer within a design or architectural practice
- Design stylist
- Junior interior designer (commercial)
- Specialist sales roles e.g. architectural representatives
Annual Tuition Fees
Domestic/NZ students
$7,800
(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)
International students
$26,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits) Save upto $2,000 (NZD) with Unitec International Study Grant 2026.Terms and conditions apply.
Semester Dates
Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun
Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov
For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.
For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.
Downloads and resources
Programme regulations - New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Commercial) Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students
Entry requirements
You must have completed at least oneof the following:
- All applicants must hold the New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential) (Level 5, 120 credits) ; or
- Attained the age of 20 years on or before the first day of the semester and provided sufficient evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other life experience that would indicate a successful outcome in the qualification.
And meet oneof the English entry requirements;
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
About the provider
Unitec is New Zealand’s largest institute of technology offering a wide range of work-oriented programmes and short courses. We offer leading employment-focused education at our two campuses in Mt. Albert, and Waitākere. At Unitec we think the traditional view of spending hours in a lecture theatre is out-dated. And that's why we approach learning differently. With our unique combination of world-class theory and hands-on experience, you'll get the skills to meet the changing needs of employers. And because our tutors are industry-based, they know what it takes to make it in the real world. We offer a friendly and diverse learning environment with flexible study programmes, lots of support, and hands-on experience to build the skills you need for your career and your future.