Diploma
Interior Design
Interior design is the act of creating engaging environments within and around existing spaces and structures. This entails the design and planning of a diverse array of spaces that span residential, leisure, retail, F&B, office, healthcare, hospitality and institutional spaces.
The curriculum is based on a number of key design principles. Fundamental technical skills and vocational knowledge remain the focus and are supported through design investigations, explorations, experimentations and conceptual thinking methods. These are explored in a practice-based studio environment where traditional drafting and modelling techniques, as well as the latest in computer-aided drawing and visualisation are honed.
Knowledge of historical and contemporary design further develops your understanding of design in the built environment. The programme remains sensitive and relevant to the industry’s developments and demands through continuous links with industry partners.
With its diverse market sectors and niches, employment is abundant, ranging from large architectural practices to smaller boutique consultancy firms with some of our graduates carving out careers in award-winning local and international practices.
Course Details

Duration
3 years
Mode
Programme structure
The Diploma is offered as a full-time programme over three years and is divided into three levels, which correspond to each academic year of the programme. The academic year is divided into two semesters of 13 weeks with two additional Assessment Weeks (Week 14 and 15). There will be 120 credits for each year of study and successful Diploma graduates must gain a total of 360 credits points to earn the Diploma.
Studio
Studio modules primarily anchor you to a particular field/discipline of study. All Studio Modules assess you in writing and ensure adequate historical and theoretical contextualisation is embedded.
Studio Modules are sites of creative practice with a focus and approach to allow you to discover, investigate and apply ideas, methods and materials. The Cross-Disciplinary Studio module focuses on out-of-the-box learning environment for you to apply your critical thinking skills and develop cross-disciplinary works in the studio. The Final Project culminates in a major studio work which encourages you to demonstrate your artistic practice, conceptual and technical rigour.
Personal and Professional Development (PPD) and personal tutoring are embedded in these modules. It is not a summatively assessed component of the Diploma; however it is central to your success and confidence in learning and is developed on an incremental basis over the three years of Diploma study. PPD aims to ensure that you cultivate strong and reflective study skills thus enabling a professional approach both to academic study and industry based learning. PPD is a self-reflective mentor-student dialogue that can take many forms ranging from one to one discussions to group debates, field visits, industry talks and small-scale workshops.
Craft, Techniques and Technologies
The Craft, Techniques and Technologies modules prepare you to appreciate and develop requisite technical skills for your creative work. The particular emphasis is on honing craft, building strong technique and fluid engagement with digital/technological skills. These will provide you with the necessary 21st-century skills to apply to your studio/creative practice.
Critical Thinking Skills and World of Imagination
This set of modules establishes different modes of thinking and creative engagement in an arts school environment. It aims to expose you to a diversity of learning methods, critical inquiry and approaches to express yourself. This approach, it is envisaged, sets the tone for how you as a LASALLE student is distinctive in your approach to learning and ultimately as a professional. This module ties in with the subsequent Self-Discovery and Awareness modules.
Self-Discovery & Awareness
Allowing the 21st-century learner to be self-reflexive, independent and inquisitive is vital. Building on your critical and creative thinking modules, Electives will be offered to facilitate you to work in areas outside of your core subjects.
You will be taught Communications and Presentation Skills where clear and confident public speaking and presentation skills are introduced to prepare you to develop and articulate your brand, articulate an artist statement, build develop public speaking skills and craft develop your social media profile as a professional.
Community Engagement and Professional Skills
You will undertake a community engagement module and be exposed to ways in which the community of your interest can be a source of long-term participation, personal fulfilment and employment, following which you will go on to pursue industry placement opportunities in a discipline-specific field. Students can opt to do one big placement or two to three short placements. Overseas stints will be encouraged. The internship module is accompanied by a Professional Practice and Careers module which gives you the key tools to develop your job preparedness. Here you will be taught about emerging fields, how to be self-employed and network in the sector. Industry professionals and alumni will be invited to mentor you and your peers.
Personal and Professional Development (PPD)
Personal and Professional Development (PPD) is not an assessable component of the Diploma but it is central to your success and confidence in learning. Integrated as part of the Studio modules across all levels, PPD is an aspect of the programme that you must participate in over the three years, to ensure you cultivate good practice in your future working environment and/or employment. PPD is a self-reflective, collaborative mentor-student dialogue that could take the form of seminars, one-on-one discussion, field visits, industry talks and small-scale workshops, with the module tutors taking on the role as PPD tutors.
More Information
Delivery Modes
Aligned with the specific aims, emphases and learning outcomes of the programme, learning and teaching methods will draw on an appropriate balance of delivery modes and these are detailed as follows:
Seminars/discussion groups
Seminars or Discussion Groups are sessions that provide the opportunity for you to engage in discussion of a particular topic and/or to explore it in more detail than might be covered in a lecture - the extent of interaction will depend on the delivery method. Typically, you would be involved in a guided, tutor-led discussion in a small group. However, the term also encompasses student or peer-led classes with a staff member or affiliate present. As with lectures, the use of technology means seminars may take place virtually. Seminars are assumed in general to involve smaller groups of students than lectures, but size will vary depending on the nature of what is being taught, the size of the overall student cohort, and practical concerns.
Workshops
Examples might include time spent in an art or design studio, or in a rehearsal space such as a workshop theatre. It could be timetabled or take place on an ad hoc basis. Peers as well as staff or affiliates may be involved. Due to the nature of the activity, it is unlikely to take place virtually. Supervised time in a studio/workshop might involve a group or individual.
Lectures
This teaching method covers everything from the traditional model, where your lecturer or an affiliate introduces ideas or delivers facts to you and your peers, to approaches that might be much more interactive, involve a variety of contributors, make use of a range of media and technologies, and take place virtually as well as in person.
Tutorials
Tutorials may be distinguished from seminars for a stronger emphasis placed on your work by your lecturer in giving direction or feedback. Tutorials can happen virtually as well as face-to-face.
Supervision
Supervision in the form of one-to-one mentorship will be provided in modules such as Internship, Engaging Communities and Final Project, where appropriate. While you are expected to be independent and resourceful in sourcing for internship opportunities and proactive in developing and proposing project-related briefs, your lecturers will evaluate and approve your proposed internship provider and project briefs. For the Internship module, you will be guided by lecturers who will check on you regularly, at least once every two months, to monitor your progress, provide guidance and feedback. Moreover, you can schedule consultation sessions with your lecturers if the need arises.
This Internship module exposes you to meaningful and relevant workplace attachment to better connect your learning with the workplace and deepen your skills, and be industry-ready. This on-the-job work experience will provide you with the opportunity to acquire practical skills beyond the classroom. You will be able to establish an industry network and learn from the experience of professionals in the field. You will apply and enhance your range of technical skills, hone your knowledge in areas such as professional ethics, roles and responsibilities and other workplace competencies.
You will be required to source and apply for your internship. A lecturer will be appointed to provide mentorship and support throughout the period of your internship.
Make an impact as:
Interior Designer
Or make your mark in a related career:
Furniture Designer, Exhibition Designer or Stage Designer.
HighLights
- Awards
- News & Events
- Features
- Industry Collaborations
Awards
Awards
Academics
Tap into the illustrious minds of our faculty members who are movers and shakers in their own disciplines. They will impart, challenge and encourage, as they share their invaluable expertise and experiences with you.
Admission Information
Important Dates
Apply by: 20 Apr 2023
Application outcome will be announced by: 2 Jun 2023
Start of semester: Aug 2023
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications | Remarks |
---|---|
Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level | (25 points or better in 4 GCE O-Level subjects, excluding English. A pass in English at Grade C6 or better) |
GCSE/IGCSE | 5 subject passes, including English, at Grade A to C |
Higher NITEC/NITEC Certificate | - |
Singapore Integrated Programme | Completed IP Year 4 |
NOTE
* Applicants with these qualifications must submit IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic.
Applies to China, Germany, Japan, Russia, South Korea, ROC Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
Alternative English language qualification
Entry Into | IELTS | TOEFL - iBT | PTE |
---|---|---|---|
Diploma | 5.5 | 71 | Academic 42 |
ADMISSIONS TEST/PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS/AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Option 1: Admissions Test
- The Admissions Test is only available to applicants from Singapore and in selected cities in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Myanmar, subject to availability of test schedules. You will be notified of the required materials to bring along for the Admissions Test.
Option 2: Portfolio
- Your portfolio should contain 10–15 pieces of original work from at least two of the following categories: paintings, drawings, collages, posters, sculptures, digital images (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc), photographs, and/or video clips. These works should demonstrate your creative development and process and be created solely by you (not from a photograph, magazine or copied from a reproduction of another source).
- You are required to upload your portfolio online and label each work as follows:
(i) Title of your work (if any)
(ii) Medium used
(iii) Month/year create
If we wish to know more about your artwork from the Admissions Test or your portfolio, we will arrange for a discussion with you.
Tuition Fees
DIPLOMA TUITION FEES FOR AUGUST 2023 INTAKE (PER ANNUM FEES)
FUNDED (SUBSIDISED FEES) | NON-FUNDED (FULL FEES) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singaporeans | Singapore PR | International | Singaporeans | Singapore PR | International |
S$5,440 | S$7,090* | S$10,338* | S$19,844.50 | S$22,091 | S$24,858 |
Note for Diploma fees:
* Singapore PRs and International students who choose to take up the Tuition Grant (TG) will need to make an online application and then sign the TG Deed with the Government of Singapore. Under the terms of the TG Deed, you will be required to work for a Singapore entity for a period of three years upon graduation. For more information, visit tgonline.moe.gov.sg.
- Funded/subsidised fees for Singaporeans and Singapore PR qualify for GST Subsidy from MOE, all other fees include 8% GST in 2023 and 9% GST in 2024.
- Fees are due on the first day of each semester.
- Fees are subject to change.
- Correct as at July 2022.
Application Fees
A non-refundable application fee (inclusive of 7% GST) is chargeable per application. Application is only complete upon receipt of your application fee and all necessary documents. Please ensure your application fee is paid and documents are submitted within seven working days from the submission date of your online application. LASALLE reserves the right to withdraw the applicant if the application fee remains unpaid and documents are not received by the due date.
Singaporean / Singapore Permanent Resident applicants | International applicants |
---|---|
S$60 | S$120 |
Additional Costs
Basic materials for learning are provided by the College.
As a developing artist, you are required to have certain items that are personal to you and cannot be shared. Such items include books, dance shoes, rehearsal clothes, safety boots, portable musical instruments, paints, canvas, basic tools, design software, cameras, etc., that will support you through your three-year learning journey. The College does not encourage the purchase of extravagant or costly materials or equipment. Our lecturers can provide you with affordable suggestions.
You are also encouraged to have your own laptop for education. If you do not own one, computer labs are available on campus with requisite software for you to undertake your work.
There may be opportunities for you to undertake extra-curricular study trips to enhance your overall learning. Trips are not compulsory and may incur additional costs.
MORE INFORMATION
Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) serves to protect students’ fees in the event a Private Education Institution (PEI) is unable to continue operations due to insolvency and/or regulatory closure. The FPS also protects students when the PEI fails to pay penalties or refund fees to the students arising from judgements made against it by the Singapore courts.
In seeking to be an EduTrust-certified PEI, LASALLE is required to adopt the FPS to ensure full protection to all fees paid by their students. Therefore, the FPS is compulsory for students who are taking BA(Hons), MA and Certificate programmes at LASALLE.
Diploma programmes offered by LASALLE are exempted from FPS under the EduTrust requirements of the Committee for Private Education (CPE).
All full-time students of LASALLE are required to be covered under the Medical Insurance Scheme (MIS). The annual coverage of S$20,000 includes school-related activities throughout the programme duration.
The current premium rate is $29.70 payable each semester. This premium rate is subject to change based on the prevailing premiums charged by the insurer.
All payment to LASALLE must be made in Singapore Dollar. In line with the Singapore government's move towards a cashless society, online payments are strongly encouraged. Below are the payment modes acceptable by LASALLE :
Payment method | Payment mode |
---|---|
Online payment |
|
SAM (kiosk, web or mobile) / Singapore Post |
|
SCHOLARSHIPS
In recognition of outstanding academic excellence, leadership potential, and a passion for creativity and innovation, LASALLE offers a variety of scholarships to new and current students.
Application dates for scholarships will be reflected in the various scholarship page. Other externally sponsored scholarships are also available to students. Enquiries and applications may be directed to the respective organisations.
Please note that miscellaneous fees are not covered by scholarships, bursaries or the Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS).
View scholarships offeredFINANCIAL SUPPORT
We are committed to providing a quality education for all our students, and believe that no deserving student should be denied admission because of financial difficulty.
A range of financial assistance schemes, grants and loans are made available to help meet a portion of the educational expenses of students.
Application dates for financial assistance will be reflected in the various bursary page.
Please note that miscellaneous fees are not covered by scholarships, bursaries or the Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS).
View bursaries offered