MA Interior Design
The MA Interior Design program is offered to graduates of creative disciplines other than interior architecture or interior design, e.g. architecture, spatial design, etc. The program builds on students’ creative foundations and provides the specialized knowledge needed to apply creative and responsible solutions to tasks in the field of interior design. The program is firmly grounded in the vibrant city of Berlin but taught exclusively in English. It is designed to help students understand their role and responsibility as interior designers in different physical and cultural contexts – on either a local or a global level. Upon completing the program, graduates will be able to apply the acquired understanding of interiors and use their interior design skills and their additional knowledge of interior discourses to solve complex creative challenges in the field of their new specialization.
*Architecture and Interior Architecture are protected professions in Germany. As the MA Interior Design program is not a consecutive program to either BA, it does not qualify for registration with the Chamber of Architects in either field.
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design
Study MA Interior Design at BI
The learning environment fostered at Berlin International is student-centered and hands-on. Our teaching concept focuses on project-based learning; students work individually and in groups in order to promote professional and personal growth and the development of team skills. At the MA level, students are enabled to combine their increasing design and research skills with their growing independence as a design professional. All MA programs at Berlin International are taught in English. In combination with our diverse student and teaching body and our global network this enables us to offer a truly international academic experience.
In a practice-driven and supportive learning atmosphere, an internationally experienced team of lecturers and professors challenges students to build on their pre-existing knowledge and expand their professional horizons.
The first year of the MA Interior Design program familiarizes students with the basic principles of interior design. It also provides students with various design and research opportunities and skills in advanced interior visualization. Design and technology electives allow students to acquire knowledge in a chosen field. The second year provides more design and research opportunities, the elective Theory and Communication, and two fast-paced real-life design charrettes that push students to develop the full range of necessary professional skills. In the final semester, students apply and deepen their acquired skills by completing a master's thesis and a master's design project on a topic of their own choice.
Interior designers have a wide variety of job opportunities. Our graduates can work on the creation and alteration of design and building projects in various scales and typologies as well as in the artistic and creative industries.
Potential professional environments:
- Interior architecture, interior design, and architecture offices
- Design and communication agencies
- Cultural institutions
- Production design for film, TV, and theater
- Furniture manufacturing and design
- Freelance work
Learn more about the MA Interior Design program and Berlin International. Below, you can download the study plan, the Berlin International brochure, and our current academic calendar in PDF format.
Apply for MA Interior Design
A bachelor's degree in a related field to Interior Architecture/Interior Design, such as Architecture, is necessary. A degree in a closely related field should include significant coursework dealing with spatial design to be accepted.
If you have a Bachelor in either Interior Design or Interior Architecture, you could study a consecutive program that builds on what you have already studied. You can read more about our Interior Architecture/Interior Design program here.
The application process for studying Interior Design at the Master’s level at Berlin International is very easy. You can simply and safely share your personal information through our online application platform. After receiving a confirmation email with a link, a copy of the following documents can be uploaded:
- Passport
- High school diploma certificate with transcript (German Abitur, Fachabitur or equivalent). Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- University certificate with transcript. Please also submit an official translation of the diploma and transcript into English or German if they are in another language.
- English language test certificate (CEFR level B2 or above)
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Portfolio PDF with a minimum of 10 works from previous studies and/or professional experience with a focus on interior design. See the guidelines here.
For more information, please use the menu item Admission.
Our MA Interior Design program is taught in English. We will require proof of your language skills. German knowledge is not required.
If your language skills are at CEFR Level B2 or above, one of the following currently valid language test certificates and scores can be accepted for your application:
- TOEFL ITP: 543
- TOEFL IBT: 74
- IELTS (Academic): 6.0 Overall
- Cambridge FCE: B2
- PTE Academic: 59
- BI internal exam/ BAU 'English Language Proficiency Exam': 60/100
- IB Diploma: English A or B at HL or SL
- German Abitur
The score must be earned within the last two years.
If you have not completed high school in a predominantly English-speaking country (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) or a bachelor's degree fully in English, an approved language exam is required in order to qualify for admission.
You are welcome to attend the internal Berlin International language proficiency exam. It will be hosted online, participation is free of charge and can be offered once an application to one of our programs has been made and admission requirements have been met.
For the dates of our next language proficiency exam, see the Language Requirements tab on our Admissions Page.
Preparatory School:
If you do not yet have CEFR level B2 English, and you meet the admission requirements to study at BI, you can sign up for our English Preparatory School.
