Conestoga's Bachelor of Interior Design Program Ranked Among the Best in Canada

Discover what makes Conestoga's Bachelor of Interior Design one of the best!

Conestoga College’s Bachelor of Interior Design degree program was recently ranked by CourseCompare as the eighth best in the country on a list that included several other degree programs from colleges and universities.

“We’re thrilled with this ranking that affirms that the Bachelor of Interior Design program is one of the strongest in Canada. It’s a testament to the strength and skill of the faculty, employees and students at Conestoga who have made this a possibility,” said program chair Diane Burchett.

“The program approach develops technical and management skills, ensuring its graduates are adept in managing projects that involve not only other designers but architects, engineers, and contractors,” noted CourseCompare.

Burchett added that the program’s co-op work terms enable this access to professionals and real-world experience. “We’ve designed the program to focus on building the practical skill set, with two co-op work terms integrated strategically to complement curriculum and classroom learning, which are also crucially important.”

Conestoga is one of only five Ontario colleges to host CIDA-accredited programs

This spring, the Bachelor of Interior Design program was reaccredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) until 2030, reaffirming that the program meets CIDA’s stringent professional standards for post-secondary interior design education, and permitting graduates to pursue registration as interior designers with the profession’s provincial regulator. Conestoga is one of only five Ontario colleges to host CIDA-accredited programs.

“The CourseCompare ranking and the recent reaccreditation by CIDA showcase our Bachelor of Interior Design program as a nationally recognized destination that produces career-ready graduates who have a strong likelihood of employment in the field directly upon graduation,” said Tony Thoma, executive dean, School of Engineering & Technology.

Program has a job placement rate of 89%

CourseCompare noted that the program has a job placement rate of 89%, and Juliana Escobar Zea is a great example of a recent graduate who has obtained a job in interior design.

“The co-op terms linked real-life situations with the lectures and case studies we learned in class, preparing us for professional challenges. As a result, the program equipped me with valuable skills that helped me secure a job in my field right after graduation,” said Escobar Zea, who added more specifics about the experience she gained in the program and how it has helped in her career.

“The project-based semesters explored all aspects of design, focusing on interior design versatility, and the small class sizes encouraged personal reflection on our work, with professors emphasizing both creativity and practicality when giving feedback.”

CourseCompare is a marketplace for education by connecting people to top-rated courses and training programs across the country. Its rankings are based on several factors including student satisfaction, industry recognition, graduation rates, job-placement rates, and graduate salaries.

Learn more about Conestoga’s Bachelor of Interior Design

Conestoga’s Bachelor of Interior Design program provides students with the theoretical, practical and technical skills that reflect the interior design profession. Through a comprehensive curriculum delivered by an interdisciplinary faculty, the program prepares students to apply an integrated approach to interior design solutions for the built environment and its occupants, and meet the demands of technological changes and currency with respect to sustainability, universal design, and health and safety.

The four-year program includes two co-operative education work term opportunities that provide students with relevant experience to complement their academic studies.

The program is available through the School of Engineering & Technology, which offers a comprehensive suite of programs with a wide range of credentials in areas including architecture, civil, construction, mechanical, energy systems, and electronics.