Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
About This Programme
A CIDA-accredited studio degree progressing from visual composition to comprehensive design, covering textiles, CAD, lighting, building systems and codes and BIM, with an internship and senior thesis (General and Hospitality Design options).
Course Highlights
- CIDA-accredited interior design degree
- Taught at AUD, ranked #620 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- US-accredited (SACSCOC) American credit degree taught in English
- AUD reports around 92% graduate employment
What You'll Study
Taught full time, in person, on an American credit-hour system, in English.
Summary of degree requirements
124 credit hours in total.
- Foundation19 credits
- Design Core51 credits
- Professional Electives15 credits
- Concentration Option0 credits
- Arts and Sciences Core36 credits
- General Electives3 credits
AUD publishes 2 variants of this degree in one table; each column reaches the same 124 credit hours, so they are alternatives, not additions. The credits shown are the first variant.
Foundation
19 credit hours required.
- IDES 191 Interior Design Studio I: Visual Expression and Composition4 credits
- IDES 192 Interior Design Studio II: Drawing for Interior Design4 credits
- IDES 291 Interior Design Studio III: 3D Spatial Design4 credits
- IDES 292 Interior Design Studio IV: Space Planning and Universal Design4 credits
- IDES 214 Textiles for Interiors3 credits
Design Core
51 credit hours required.
- DDFT 268 Computer-Aided Design (CAD)3 credits
- DDFT 270 Digital Design Illustration3 credits
- DDFT 474 Introduction to Building Information Modeling (BIM)3 credits
- IDES 121 History of Interior Design I3 credits
- IDES 266 Resources and Materials3 credits
- IDES 322 History of Interior Design II3 credits
- IDES 331 Professional Practice3 credits
- IDES 363 Interior Lighting3 credits
- IDES 369 Building Systems and Codes3 credits
- IDES 374 Hospitality Design3 credits
- IDES 391 Interior Design Studio V: Furniture Design and Detailing4 credits
- IDES 392 Interior Design Studio VI: Smart Design4 credits
- IDES 441 Senior Thesis: Research and Portfolio3 credits
- IDES 471 Internship2 credits
- IDES 491 Interior Design Studio VII: Comprehensive Design4 credits
- IDES 492 Interior Design Studio VIII: Capstone Design4 credits
Professional Electives Options
15 credit hours required.
Choose 15 credit hours from:
- DDFT 341 Digital Design and Fabrication3 credits
- DDFT 351 Parametric Design3 credits
- DDFT 372 Virtual Art3 credits
- DDFT 373 Virtual Designs3 credits
- DDFT 374 Virtual Environments3 credits
- DDFT 433 Design Process: CAD and CAM3 credits
- DDFT 466 Advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD)3 credits
- DDFT 475 Collaborative Building Information Modeling (BIM)3 credits
- IDES 365 Process Modeling3 credits
- IDES 375 Food and Beverage Outlet Design3 credits
- IDES 376 Wellness and Spa3 credits
- IDES 386 Islamic Geometric Pattern Design3 credits
- IDES 464 Acoustical and Thermal Design3 credits
- IDES 470 Special Topics in Interior Design3 credits
- IDES 472 Kitchen and Bath Design3 credits
- IDES 479 Internship A3 credits
Hospitality Design Concentration
- DDFT 466 Advanced Computer-Aided Design (CAD)3 credits
- IDES 365 Process Modeling3 credits
- IDES 375 Food and Beverage Outlet Design (Req.)3 credits
- IDES 376 Wellness and Spa (Req.)3 credits
IDES 380-385 Interior Design Study Tour 3
15 credit hours required.
- IDES 464 Acoustical and Thermal Design3 credits
- IDES 472 Kitchen and Bath Design (Req.)3 credits
Entry Requirements
US-style credit system; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency. Architecture requires a portfolio.
Careers
Graduates pursue careers in interior design studios, hospitality and commercial design, and design consultancy.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation); AUD holds SACSCOC (US) and UAE MoHESR accreditation.
Programme Details
Award
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Start Date
September (Fall intake)
Typical Offer
An official attested high-school transcript covering the last three years in good academic standing, with UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-UAE curricula. SAT Mathematics 560 or a pass in the AUD mathematics placement test.
Duration
4 years
Qualification
Bachelors
Subject Area
Interior Design
Campus
Dubai
Course Type
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Study Pattern
Full time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 106,050/yr
Undergraduate applicants apply online at aud.edu, submit attested transcripts with a UAE Ministry of Education Certificate of Equivalency for non-UAE curricula, and provide an English score (IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 or TOEFL ITP 550) and an SAT Mathematics score, or sit AUD's English and mathematics placement tests. A non-refundable AED 420 application fee applies, with an AED 5,000 reservation deposit on acceptance that is credited to tuition.