Interior Architecture, Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Description

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 major 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 emphasise 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. Students graduated from the major are eligible to work as professional interior architects.

Please see the intended learning outcomes of the study option from the Programme page.

Study-option-specific Evaluation Criteria

Language of instruction

In the major, the language of instruction is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The master's major is based on an exploratory approach to design-based problem setting, elaboration and solving. It emphasises the skill to manage the entire design process from the beginning to the final outcome. An essential part of the education is project-based hands-on learning. In the projects, the students are encouraged to utilize artistic and experimental approaches and find their personal expression and voice as a designer. This is supported by more analytical, research-driven methods and tools.

The key content in master's major education is to develop and deepen the skills obtained during the bachelor's phase. Studio-based courses in spatial design and furniture design form the core of education. Other topics include history, theory and methodology of interior architecture and teaching of practical design skills and tools. The student can choose selective courses and a minor according to her interests and professional profile. In the final year, the student completes a master’s thesis on chosen topic.

The major consists of advanced studies (90 ECTS) and elective studies (30 ECTS)

More information on the content of the education can be found in the Student Guide under Curriculum.

Specialisations

Specialisation is built mainly through advanced studies, where students may choose courses.

Internationalisation

Students are encouraged to apply for international exchange studies or internships. They are also encouraged to participate in international competitions, exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs. The department has international research and teaching projects with different universities.

Further study opportunities

Graduates of the master's programme are eligible to apply for doctoral studies. More information on the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture: Doctoral programmes.

Career opportunities

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. The major prepares its graduates also for doctoral studies.

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.

Research focus

The research in this major is linked to several focus areas in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Additional information about research related to this programme can be found at the Department of Architecture website.

Co-operation with other parties

During the MA studies the students are introduced with the industry by having chances to co-operate with different types of companies in student projects integrated into the design courses.

Contact information

Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services

arts-admissions@aalto.fi

Admissions Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admissions Services

admissions@aalto.fi