A Diploma in Interior Design is a 1-3 year course depending on the college and course curriculum. The course teaches students the skills required to make spaces aesthetically pleasing, safe, and functional. It provides the basic interior design skills.
The eligibility criteria for enrolling into the Diploma in Interior Design course is to pass 10th or 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks from recognized boards. In the case of a few colleges, students may need to qualify for certain national/university-level entrance exams.
The average fee for the Diploma in Interior Design course ranges between INR 1,30,000 and 4,45,000. Some of the good colleges offering this course are Raffles Design International, Aligarh Muslim University, Indian Institute of Fashion Design, and others.
Diploma in Interior Design graduates can lead to a variety of jobs in the construction and design industry, such as interior designer, 3D Visualizer, Kitchen Designer, Site Supervisor, and many more. They can earn an average salary of INR 1.5-4.8 LPA, depending on their skills and experience.
Diploma in Interior Design: Course Highlights
| Course Name | Diploma in Interior Design |
|---|---|
| Level of Study | Diploma (U.G.) |
| Duration | 1-3 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed 10th or 10+2 from a recognised university with minimum 50% marks. Qualify entrance examination if needed. |
| Entrance Exams | UCEED, CUET-UG, PU-DAT, JDIFT-GAT, EEED. |
| Admission Process | Merit-Based/ Entrance-Based. |
| Course Fee | INR 1,30,000-4,45,000 |
| Colleges/Universities | Raffles Design International, Aligarh Muslim University, Indian Institute of Fashion Design, Parul University. |
| Average Salary | INR 1.5-4.8 LPA |
| Job Roles | Interior Designer, 3D Visualizer, Site Supervisor, Assistant Designer. |
Diploma in Interior Design: Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for enrolling into the Diploma in Interior Design course are as follows:
- Completed 10th or 10+2 from recognized boards with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Candidates may also be required to qualify for certain entrance exams depending on the requirement of the college or institution selected.
Diploma in Interior Design: Entrance Exam
The entrance exams for enrolling into the Diploma in Interior Design course are:
| Entrance Exam | Level | Registration Date (tentative) | Exam Date (tentative) | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCEED 2026 | National | 1-31 October 2025 | 18 January 2026 | INR 3800 (Gen/OBC), INR 1900 (SC/ST/Female). |
| CUET-UG 2025 | National | 1-22 March 2025 | 8 May -1 June 2025 | INR 1800 (UR), INR 1650 (OBC/EwS), INR 1500 (SC/ST/TG/PwD). |
| PU-DAT 2025 | University | 1 March -6 April 2025 | 10 April 2025 | INR 1000 |
| JDIFT-GAT 2026 | University | February 2026 | March 2026 | INR 1103 |
| EEED 2026 | University | February 2026 | April 2026 | INR 700 |
Diploma in Interior Design: Colleges & Fee
Some of the best colleges in India offering a Diploma in Interior Design course and have been ranked by Times of India, India Today, IIRF, NIRF and Outlook in the ‘Fashion Design’ category are listed below:
| College Name | Type | Ranking | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raffles Design International, Mumbai | Private | #2 (TOI) | INR 3,74,243 |
| Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh,UP | Government | #3 (India Today), #12 (NIRF Law), #16 (NIRF Overall), #18 (Dental NIRF), #8 (University NIRF), #5 (IIRF) Overall. | INR 4,45,000 |
| Indian Institute of Fashion Design, Kolkata | Private | #8 (IIRF) | INR 1,30,000 |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi | Private | #19 (India Today) | INR 1,80,000 |
| Vogue Institute of Art and Design, Bengaluru | Private | #26 (India Today, 2023) | INR 1,59,000 |
| Parul University, Vadodara | Private | #30 (India Today, University Pvt.), #47 (NIRF Pharmacy). | INR 3,90,000 |
| Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata | Private | #40 (Outlook) | INR 1,90,000 |
| Bangalore School of Design, Bengaluru | Private | – | INR 1,77,000 |
| International School of Design, New Delhi | Private | – | INR 1,68,000 |
| Ellen College of Design, Jaipur | Government | – | INR 1,95,000 |
Diploma in Interior Design: Admission 2025
The admission process for Diploma in Interior Design at Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Kolkata have been given below:
- Download the application form IIFD, Kolkata’s official website, and fill out the application form correctly.
- Upload all the required documents, such as academic marksheets and ID proofs, and provide necessary details like email ID and phone number.
- Submit the application form by paying the applicable registration fee.
- The selection at IIFD, Kolkata, is merit-based, and students are selected based on past academic performance.
- The selected candidates will receive confirmation mail from the college, or the list can be uploaded on the official website, too. Keep track of the official website for the merit list.
- After selection, pay the admission fee to book a seat in the selected course.
- Attend the orientation program and start a new academic journey.
Diploma in Interior Design: Syllabus
The syllabus for the Diploma in Interior Design course as per Aligarh Muslim University has been given below:
| 1st Year | |
|---|---|
| Semester - 1 | Semester - 2 |
| Design Drawing | Product Research |
| Design Concept | Design Thinking & Process |
| Communication & Presentation skills | Workshop |
| Design Workshop | Image Editing & Composition |
| - | Elements of design |
| 2nd Year | |
|---|---|
| Semester - 3 | Semester - 4 |
| Digital Methods I | Digital Methods II |
| Typography | Contextual Photography |
| Photography | History of Design/Visual Study |
| Workshop | Workshop |
| Analytical Drawing | Motion Graphics |
| 3rd Year | |
|---|---|
| Semester - 5 | Semester - 6 |
| Storyboard & Story Telling | Internship (3 months) |
| Workshop | Advertising Campaign Design |
| Basics of UI & UX | Print & Publication |
| Sound Editing & Design | - |
| Cinematography | - |
Diploma in Interior Design: Jobs & Salary
Some of the jobs available in job portals like Naukri.com and Indeed for Diploma in Interior Design graduates are:
| Job Title | Recruiter | Experience level | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Interior Designer | Fulcrum Concepts | 0-2 years | INR 1.8-2.16 LPA |
| Interior Designer | Livspace | 1.5+ years | INR 2.75-3.5 LPA |
| Freelance Interior Designer | CEE BEE Design Studio | 2 years | INR 4.8 LPA |
| 3D Visualizer | Eywatree Technologies Pvt Ltd | 2 years | INR 3-3.6 LPA |
| Site Supervisor | Defzen Projects Pvt Ltd | 0-1 year | INR 1.5-2 LPA |
Why Study for a Diploma in Interior Design?
The advantages of studying for a Diploma in Interior Design are:
- The course provides basic skills and knowledge for interior design, which can be utilised to start a career in the design field.
- As the construction sector is growing rapidly, there is a huge demand for graduates with interior design skills.
- A Diploma in Interior Design can be a good entry-level option to explore the industry and pursue further education later on.
Course Comparison: Diploma in Interior Design vs Bachelor’s in Interior Design
The course comparison between Diploma in Interior Design vs Bachelor’s in Interior Design has been given below:
| Parameters | Diploma in Interior Design | Bachelor’s in Interior Design |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | It is a shorter and more focused course that offers basic designing skills. | A more comprehensive degree covering a wide range of design theory and technical aspects. |
| Level of study | U.G Diploma | Bachelor’s |
| Duration | 1-3 years | 4 years |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 1,30,000-4,45,000 | INR 3,50,000-10,00,000 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 1.5-4.8 LPA | INR 3-9 LPA |
| Job Roles | Junior Interior Designer, Interior Designer, 3D Visualizer, Site Supervisor. | Interior Designer, Production Designer, Design Coordinator, Set Designer, 3D Artist. |
Bachelor’s in Interior Design: FAQs
What is the actual duration of the Diploma in Interior Design course?
The course duration may vary from 1 to 3 years, depending on the course curriculum and the institution offering the course. Colleges like the Indian Institute of Fashion Design (Kolkata) and JD Institute of Fashion Technology offer 1-year courses, whereas Aligarh Muslim University and Parul University offer 3-year courses.
How many types of Diploma courses are there?
There are two types of Diploma courses; one is a Diploma in Interior Design, which can be done after passing class 10th or 12th, and the other is an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design, which can be done after completion of graduation or equivalent education.
Does interior design have a good future?
Yes, interior designers will have a whole lot of opportunities with high-paying jobs in the future as the industry is booming in India.
Can a Diploma in Interior Design graduate start their designing agency or firm?
Yes, anyone with a Diploma in Interior Design can start their own business and start their entrepreneurial journey.
