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    Faculty

    • Faculty of Architecture
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Interior Design

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2 years

  • icon pathway

    Program options

    • Pre-master's
    • First-professional program
    • Post-professional program

Program details

The Master of Interior Design (MID) program prepares students to work nationally and internationally at the forefront of the profession.

Expected duration: 2 years

Tuition and fees: Two years tuition, then continuing fees in subsequent years (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

The first-professional program is directed towards those interested in pursuing a career in Interior Design practice. The program emphasizes the creation of human-centred and context-based design solutions that respond to the needs of contemporary life.

The course of studies consists of the design studio and support courses that develop the methods, processes, technical and theoretical foundations of interior design. There are opportunities for international and cross-cultural study through exchange programs and design studios. Students are required to participate in either a work experience or co-op program.

Faculty of Architecture’s Cooperative Education/Integrated Work program (Co-op/I) Graduate Option

Students must complete two 10-week work terms to have the Co-op/I option acknowledged on their graduation parchment. Each term requires submission of a written report and portfolio covering the work completed for the professional assignment. These are above and beyond graduate course requirements.

Accreditation

The Interior Design professional program at the University of Manitoba is a recognized accredited program that meets the standards of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). In addition, the First-Professional Masters of Interior Design degree meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination.

Pre-master's option

Expected duration: 1 year

Tuition and fees: One year tuition (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

Students with undergraduate course deficiencies may be admitted to the Pre-master's program to complete the background requirements. Successful completion of the pre-master’s program does not guarantee admittance to the graduate program. Students who wish to continue on to the graduate program must apply for admission.

Students in the Pre-Masters program are normally required to complete 30 credit hours (two terms) of coursework. After these two terms, students are eligible to apply to the Master’s program.

Admission requirements

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate StudiesMeeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Applicants to all Interior Design programs must have a satisfactory English language proficiency test score, if applicable. Test scores must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) minimum requirements except for the following tests, which require higher scores than the FGS minimum:

  • CAEL: 70
  • CanTest - Listening and Reading: 4.75
  • CanTest - Writing and Oral: 4.0
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • TOEFL - iBT: 94

First-professional program admission requirements

To qualify for the Master of Interior Design first-professional program, you must have a minimum of 

  • an undergraduate degree in Interior Design
  • or an undergraduate degree in Environmental Design (Interior Environment Option) from the Faculty of Architecture.

Applicants with degrees in other fields such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Industrial Design are assessed on a case-by-case basis for entry into the Master of Interior Design program.

Post-professional program admission requirements

To qualify for the Master of Interior Design post-professional program, you must have a minimum of a CIDA undergraduate degree in Interior Design plus three years work experience in the field. 

Pre-master's admission requirements

To be considered for the pre-master's program, you must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree.

How to apply

Each year, applications for the MID program are accepted for September entry only. A supervisor is not required at time of application.
Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Unofficial copies of transcripts and degree certificates
  • Current CV
  • Two letters of recommendation (must be requested from within the application)
  • Statement of intent
  • Research proposal (Post-professional program only)
  • Digital portfolio (PDF Format, maximum size 20MB)
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if required

When applying, select "MID" for the first-professional program  or "MID (Research)" for the post-professional program.

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a committee basis. The Admissions committee for Interior Design reviews applications in March.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian and US applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) January 15

International applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) December 1

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Faculty of Architecture
201 John A. Russell Building
84 Curry Place
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2M6

gradarch@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-6578
Fax: 204-474-7532