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Training
Interior Architecture

Develop your artistic and technical skills with a full 5-year course. Combining theoretical and practical learning, you will experiment with all the techniques and creative worlds of architecture. The aim? To make you a recognised architect in Interior Architecture, Scenography or Space Design.

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  • Location

    Montpellier, Toulouse

  • Duration

    5 years, including one preparatory year

  • Target audience

    People in initial training with student or apprentice status

    Learn more about apprenticeships

  • Prerequisites and Access Requirements

    Entry requirements (preparatory course in Design): High school diploma or equivalent level 4 qualification

    See Admissions and fees

  • Professional Certification

    Title RNCP39589 – Interior Designer, Level 7 (equivalent to a five-year higher education degree), registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications, by decision of October 1, 2024.

    Certifiers: Ecoles Créatives Montpellier.

  • Rhythm

    1st, 2nd, and 3rd years: full-time on-campus study, internship(s) totaling 8 weeks
    4th and 5th years: work-study program, alternating between school and company, in alternating internships (students) or apprenticeships (apprentices)

  • Fees

    See Admissions and fees

Course presentation

Level 7 RNCP qualification
Equivalent to Bac + 5

During the 5 years of training, between theoretical and practical learning, our students discuss and reflect on the theories of space on a daily basis.

This is a line of questioning that they constantly feed into and confront during design workshops focusing on the layout of spaces, playing with volumes, circulation, materials and light.

A solid grounding in the artistic and technical skills needed to join design offices and architectural practices, or to enter the job market as a freelancer.

  • esma jpo archi

    Objectives

    • Analyze and develop the creative design of an interior architecture project
    • Technically develop an interior architecture project
    • Organize and manage the execution of an interior architecture project
  • vie etudiante a la cafeteria du campus de nantes

    Teaching methods and resources

    The training program alternates between theoretical and practical instruction, workshops, lectures, and project-based learning (individual and group).
    Teaching and educational support are provided by active professionals who are committed to a consistent and progressive educational approach.
    Professional equipment and software (workshops, computer rooms, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, SketchUp software, etc.).

Validation of the training by a Professional Certification

The training program is validated by professional certification RNCP39589 – Interior Designer, level 7 (equivalent to a master’s degree), registered in the National Directory of Professional Certifications on October 1, 2024.

Certifier: Ecoles Créatives Montpellier.

Professional certification is obtained by validating the following skills:

  • Analyzing and developing the creative design of an interior architecture project
  • Technically developing an interior architecture project
  • Organizing and managing the execution of an interior architecture project

Possibility of validating one or more skill sets.

Certification is also accessible through VAE. (Validation of Acquired Experience)

More information on France Compétences
etudiants esma

Certification assessment procedures

  • Professional scenarios based on real or fictional interior design projects, resulting in deliverables that enable the assessment of all the skills required for certification.
  • Oral presentations of work and projects in front of professionals.

Teaching and assessment methods may be adapted if necessary to accommodate disabilities, in accordance with the RNCP (French National Register of Professional Certifications) standards.

Find out more about Disability and accessibility.

Put your skills into perspective

Discover work-study programs

Complete your 4th and 5th years as an apprentice

Because learning by doing is the best way to learn, the fourth and fifth years of the Interior Design program can be completed as an apprenticeship.

The work-study program consists of one month of classes and three months of work experience over the two years of training, allowing you to gradually immerse yourself in real-world professional projects. The cost of the training is fully covered by the company.

You will also receive support at every stage, including individual coaching, workshops, and a dedicated platform. Everything is in place to help you find your work-study program, successfully integrate into the company, and make this experience a real springboard into the professional world.

Learn more about Work-study
la vie étudiant au campus de bordeaux

At ESMA we take
success seriously.

  • 98% presentation for examination (class of 2024)

  • 68% job placement* in the targeted profession within 6 months (class of 2022) *Inclusion is calculated based on respondents, in accordance with the methodology defined by France Compétences.

  • 90% Overall employment integration rate* at 6 months (class of 2022) *Inclusion is calculated based on respondents, in accordance with the methodology defined by France Compétences.

  • 98% success rate* for certification (class of 2024) *Consolidated results from the Creative Schools Network certifiers

The curriculum

Interior Architecture

A 5-year course validated by a Level 7 RNCP qualification (equivalent to Bac+5)

  • Year 1 Design
    Prep     Discover
  • Year 2 Acquiring the
    fundamentals     Découvrir
  • Year 3 Reinforcing
    skills     Discover
  • Initial or apprenticeship
    Year 4     Consolidating
    technical skills     Discover
  • Initial or apprenticeship
    Year 5     Year of professional
    training and certification     Discover
  • Year 1 Design
    Prep     Discover
  • Year 2 Acquiring the
    fundamentals     Découvrir
  • Year 3 Reinforcing
    skills     Discover
  • Initial or apprenticeship
    Year 4     Consolidating
    technical skills     Discover
  • Initial or apprenticeship
    Year 5     Year of professional
    training and certification     Discover

Course content

  • Design workshops

    Designing spaces based on existing sites, working on volumes, circulation, materials, and lighting to meet market requirements. Then, based on real or fictional subjects, in the form of supervised projects, students design detailed interior architecture programs. They must be able to:

    • Analyze and problematize a request
    • Design a preliminary and detailed draft with an architectural program
    • Make an estimate
    • Mastering regulatory and administrative aspects
    • Communicate your project orally and in writing in the form of reports.

  • Semiology

    History and psychology of perception aimed at enriching individual projects in spatial design.

  • Applied sciences

    Development of scientific knowledge in order to visualize practical objectives in spatial design.

  • Visual arts

    History of design, visual arts, and graphic arts, from 1850 to the present day.

  • Plastic expression

    Understanding the concept of space, working with volume (sculpture, models, spatial installations, site-specific work).

  • Drawing

    Drawing techniques: perception, schematization of ideas, visualization of thoughts and projects. Development of scientific knowledge in order to visualize practical objectives in spatial design.

  • English

    Develop oral fluency on various topics related to current events, culture, art, and design; learn how to write and present your resume and portfolio in English; prepare for interviews.

  • Technology

    Learning about evolving technologies and project methodology: research, model making, physical treatment of space, concept of space, working with volume (sculpture, model making, installation in space, site-specific work).

  • Applied computer science

    Learning about materials, systems, software, and mastering the technological tools used in spatial design. Software (ArchiCAD, 3D software, desktop publishing, etc.)

  • Project management and technology

    Students explore the regulatory aspects of interior design (ERP standards, urban planning, disability access, fire safety, building permits, etc.).

  • Materials research

  • Law / Management

    Acquire knowledge of legislative and regulatory aspects and the fundamentals of business management

Rates

Check out the tuition fees for enrolling in ESMA's Interior Design program.

Apply Tarifs 2026 - 2027

  • Initial training

    Year 1 Design Prep

    6 380€

  • Initial training

    Year 2 and 3 (per year)

    6 580 €

  • Initial training

    Years 4 and 5 (per year)

    4 290 €

  • Registration fees (excluding apprentices)

    200 € /an

Apply Tarifs 2026 - 2027

  • Apprenticeship training

    Years 4 and 5 of apprenticeship: Training funded by the employer via its OPCO (skills operator) according to the levels of coverage defined by the professional branch, at no cost to the apprentice.

Enroll in the Interior Design program

  • apprendre l'architecture d'intérieur

    For Who ?

    For all creative individuals who enjoy combining creativity with pragmatism and who wish to put their imagination to work on very concrete projects.

    The preparatory year in design, the first year of the Interior Architecture program, can be entered after:

    • A high school diploma or equivalent level 4 qualification (all fields)
    • Review of academic record, motivational interview Evaluation of an art portfolio

    The second year can be entered directly after:

    • A Bac +1 (one year of higher education) in design or a level 4 qualification specializing in applied arts
    • Review of academic record and a motivational interview
    • Evaluation of an artistic portfolio

    The third year can be entered directly after:

    • A level 5 qualification or equivalent in spatial design/interior architecture

    The fourth year can be entered directly after:

    • A Level 6 qualification or equivalent in spatial design/interior architecture
    • or a Level 4 qualification and 3 years of post-baccalaureate training in an equivalent course

    Exemption possible: significant professional experience

  • maquettes archi

    Why ?

    To train tomorrow’s professionals over five years, who will be responsible for designing and implementing temporary or permanent indoor and outdoor spaces in our everyday environment (public, private, event, commercial spaces, etc.).

  • maquette finie fin de projet design d'esapce

    How ?

    • 1st year: Design Prep
    • 2nd year: Acquisition of fundamentals (mandatory 8-week internship(s) to be completed between the 1st and 3rd years)
    • 3rd year: Reinforcement of acquired knowledge
    • 4th year: Consolidation of technical skills, through work-study programs or apprenticeships
    • 5th year: Professionalization and certification year, through work-study programs or apprenticeships

Our campuses are waiting for you

projet en architecture d'intérieur

Business sectors and opportunities

Secteurs d’activités :

Salarié ou indépendant, l’architecte d’intérieur peut exercer dans les secteurs d’activité suivants : construction et promotion immobilière, BTP, habitat, hôtellerie, maîtrise d’œuvre, événementiel, industries du spectacle (ex. scénographie), retail et grande distribution.

 

Types de structures :
Cabinets d’architecture intérieure, cabinets d’architecte, bureaux d’études, bureaux de style, agences de communication et/ou de design et/ou évènementiel,), grandes surfaces spécialisées (GSS) ou généralistes (GSG).

L’architecte d’intérieur exerce dans des structures de tailles variables (individuelle, TPE-PME, grandes entreprises) dans le secteur public ou privé, principalement dans de petites structures.

 

Type d’emplois accessibles :

Métier créatif et technique, à la frontière de la profession d’architecte HMNOP (Habilitation à l’exercice de la Maîtrise d’Œuvre en son Nom Propre), des métiers d’agenceur, de designer, de décorateur, les désignations de l’Architecte d’intérieur peuvent varier en fonction du cadre d’exercice.

Les certifiés peuvent prétendre aux métiers suivants : Architecte d’intérieur, Designer d’espace, Architecte d’intérieur designer, Architecte d’intérieur chargé de projets, Architecte d’intérieur designer Responsable bureau d’études, Maître d’œuvre en architecture d’intérieur, scénographe, Chef de projet études et conception.

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