Top 5 Private Universities & Colleges in Malaysia for Interior Design (Interior Architecture) Degree Courses

Best Interior Design and Interior Architecture Degree Courses in Malaysia at Top Private Universities & Colleges

There are several top colleges and universities in Malaysia offering the Interior Design (Interior Architecture) course. Some universities would offer a dual award UK degree while others would offer their own degree. Choosing the right one depends on your career goals.

But choosing the right one for you can be a difficult decision. If you read this guide from start to finish, you will get the necessary information to help you choose the best university or college in Malaysia that is affordable, award-winning and accredited by the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM).

Interior design is a profession that combines creativity, technical knowledge, and business skills. EduSpiral Consultant Services helps students to choose the best college or university in Malaysia that suits you. For a list of the best universities or colleges in Malaysia for interior design (interior architecture) please contact us or fill up the contact form.

You may also be interested to read:

• Malaysia’s Top Private Universities Offering Interior Design Architecture Degree Courses Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia
• Top 4 Universities in Malaysia for Interior Architecture Design Courses
• Study at a Top University in Malaysia for Interior Design (Interior Architecture)
• Choose to Study at the Best Colleges & Universities in Malaysia for Interior Design or Interior Architecture Diploma

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Study Interior Architecture (Interior Design) at the Best Universities or Colleges in Malaysia

Interior architecture is a combination of the study and practice of interior design with architecture. Interior Architecture explores how the interiors of buildings such as offices, homes, condominiums, hospitals, hotels or restaurants are inhabited, used and experienced by their target audience.

Interior Architects are trained to consider the modification of the interior structure of the building rather than just refinishing and furnishing existing spaces.

Interest in interior architecture in Malaysia has grown rapidly in recent years as we have become more affluent and design conscious.

New materials, technologies and techniques are giving interior architects in Malaysia exciting new ways to enclose and use space using, such as architectural glass for floors and ceilings and new environmentally friendly technologies for heating and lighting.

Interior architects plan and detail commercial and residential building interiors for effective use with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning and factors that affect our responses to living and working environments. Good design can enable us to live and work more efficiently, comfortably, profitably, securely and pleasurably in a more aesthetically fulfilling and functional environment.

Interior Architects plan space allocation, traffic flow, building services, furniture, fixtures, furnishings and surface finishes. They consider the purpose, efficiency, comfort, safety and aesthetic of interior spaces to arrive at an optimum design. They custom design or specify furniture, lighting, walls, partitions, flooring, colour, fabrics and graphics to produce an environment tailored to a purpose.

In your work as an interior architect in Malaysia, you’ll prepare drawings of interior spaces, and you might even design the furniture that will be used in those spaces. You might work for an architectural firm or another company that designs hospitals, offices, homes or schools; you could also go into business for yourself.

Interior designers work with clients and other design professionals to develop design solutions that are safe, functional, attractive, and meet the needs of the people using the space. Interior designers must know how to plan a space and how to present that plan visually so that it can be communicated to the client.

They must also know about the materials and products that will be used to create and furnish the space, and how texture, color, lighting and other factors combine and interact to make the space come together. In addition, interior designers must understand the structural requirements of their plans, the health and safety issues, building codes, and many other technical aspects.

Choose the Best University or College for Interior Design (Interior Architecture) to Study in Malaysia

Students should choose a top university in Malaysia to study interior architecture, one that has proven itself with experience and having won awards. Don’t be fooled by advertisements or glamour and make your choice based on these factors. A good interior architecture school doesn’t need to be very expensive.

The right college or university will inculcate the best skills and expertise in students to be successful in their challenging interior design or interior architecture careers. Therefore, it is important for students to carefully choose the best university in Malaysia for their interior architecture design studies.

When choosing a college or university to study interior design in Malaysia, it is important to look at their reputation, awards won, lecturers’ experience, facilities and accreditation. Looking at these criteria will help you to choose the best college or university in Malaysia that suits you.

Choose a University in Malaysia with Excellent Interior Design Facilities

Interior Design is a practical course and requires labs with the necessary equipment and facilities for students to gain the skills. Choosing a college that is the cheapest for interior design may not be the best choice as the college would not have the equipment for your to learn.

Students wanting to study at a top university or college in Malaysia for interior design should visit the university and look for facilities such as

• Interior Design Materials Lab
• Carpentry workshop or Woodwork workshop
• 3D Printer
• Multimedia Lab
• CAD Design Lab
• MAC Lab, and more.

Choose Universities in Malaysia that has Won Awards in Interior Design (Interior Architecture)

Awards are an indication of the quality of the interior design programme at the university or college. Having won many awards in interior design competitions would show that the students have gained excellent knowledge and skills from their experienced lecturers in the university or college.

When choosing a top university or college in Malaysia for interior design (interior architecture), you can check to see if they have won any of the following awards:

• Nippon Paint Young Designer Awards (NPYDA)
• Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers’ (MIID) Malaysian Interior Design Awards (MIDA)
• Malaysia International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition
• Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) Architectural Students Workshop

Top 3 Private Universities & Colleges offering the Interior Design (Interior Architecture) Degree Course

The universities below have full campuses and excellent interior design facilities such as wood workshops, 3D Printers, design studios, art galleries and more. In addition, they have won numerous awards in the prestigious interior design competitions as listed above.

Furthermore, their degree programmes are accredited by MQA as well as meeting the requirements of accreditation by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) in order for graduates to practice as professional interior designers or interior architects in Malaysia.

1. First City University College
2. Taylor’s University
3. UCSI University
4. Malaysian Institute of Art (MIA)
5. Saito University College

Accreditation of Interior Designers & Interior Architects in Malaysia

Students wanting to work in Malaysia as professional interior designers or interior architects must have at least a degree in interior design or interior architecture from an accredited university. The degree needs to be recognised by the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM).

An Interior Design (Interior Architecture) degree programme is a pre-professional programme that provides a recognised qualification in Interior Architecture, which is necessary in the journey to become a Registered Interior Designer in Malaysia. Students should choose a course that’s professionally accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM), where the programme is developed in-line with the guidelines of LAM or Board of Architects Malaysia and appraised under the same rigour as the Architecture programme.

Education Pathway to Becoming a Professional Interior Designer or Interior Architect in Malaysia

Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels interested in interior architecture can consider going for the 2.5-year Diploma in Interior Architecture or Interior Design with 3 credits.You may check the Entry Requirements for the Diploma by clicking on this link. Upon completion of the diploma, students can enter into Year 2 of the Interior Design or Interior Architecture degree for another 2 years.

If you are still unsure of what to study, then you can go for the 1-year Foundation in Arts , Foundation in Design or Foundation in Natural and Built Environment with 5 credits and then enter into the 3.5-year Interior Architecture degree at top private universities in Malaysia.

Students with the necessary 3 credits in SPM can apply for the PTPTN Loan for their Diploma. There is also no PTPTN loan for Foundation studies. PTPTN Loan is also available for the degree course.

To be successful in your career in Interior Architecture or Interior Design, students must choose a top university in Malaysia so that they can gain the necessary design skills and specific knowledge.

What you will study in Interior Design or Interior Architecture in Malaysia?

Below are a sample of the subjects that you would study in a Diploma or Degree in Interior Design (Interior Architecture) at top universities or colleges in Malaysia.

• Building Materials
• Design Communication
• Introduction to Design
• Building Construction
• Design Communication
• Design Theory
• Interior Behavioural Studies
• Computer-aided Design
• Interior Design Studio
• Architecture History
• Interior Materials & Finishes
• Temporary Structure Design
• Introduction to Visual Culture
• Building Studies
• Furniture Design
• Design Communication
• Concept Design
• Digital Architecture
• Set & Exhibit Design
• Furniture Design & Workshop
• Interior Architecture Contract & Law

Internships for Interior Design Students 

Internship is compulsory for interior design (interior architecture) courses in Malaysia. It is the pre-arranged programme of student attachment with companies within the industry for a 3-6 month period. Students will be awarded credits for the internship. Students benefit greatly from these internship attachments as they have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge into real life projects with the help of working professionals.

Job of the interior design in Malaysia

• Research and analyze their client’s goals and requirements
• Create preliminary space plans and 2- and 3-dimensional design concept studies and sketches
• Select colors, materials and finishes
• Select and specify furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork
• Confirm that the space plans meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental, and sustainability guidelines
• Prepare project budgets and schedules
• Prepare construction documents, consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications
• Coordinate and collaborate with other allied design professionals, including architects; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers; and various specialty consultants
• Oversee the implementation of projects and serve as a representative of and on behalf of the client

Types of Interior Design in Malaysia

Interior design can be divided into two main categories—residential and commercial. Within these general areas there are additional specialties.

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN: Residential interior design professionals work with private living spaces, primarily designing rooms for new or existing homes. Some even prefer working with a specific room such as the kitchen or bathroom, or planning and creating closet spaces.

COMMERCIAL DESIGN: Commercial interior designers plan public spaces—government buildings, private businesses, or other corporate entities. Offices are a common focus of these professionals, but they may also work with schools, banks, retail establishments, and other public spaces.

Some work to make hotels and restaurants functional and appealing, while others design areas in hospitals and other healthcare facilities; each field often requires specific knowledge about how the space can be used effectively by both customers/clients and employees.

Career Opportunities for the Interior Architecture & Design Graduate in Malaysia

Interior design companies, architecture firms, furniture manufacturer, lighting design consultant, exhibition design consultant, exhibition designer and set designers and retail designers

The Work of the Interior Designer in Malaysia

• Research and analyze their client’s goals and requirements
• Create preliminary space plans and 2- and 3-dimensional design concept studies and sketches
• Select colors, materials and finishes
• Select and specify furniture, fixtures, equipment and millwork
• Confirm that the space plans meet all public health, safety and welfare requirements, including code, accessibility, environmental, and sustainability guidelines
• Prepare project budgets and schedules
• Prepare construction documents, consisting of plans, elevations, details and specifications
• Coordinate and collaborate with other allied design professionals, including architects; structural, mechanical and electrical engineers; and various specialty consultants
• Oversee the implementation of projects and serve as a representative of and on behalf of the client