Name: Interior Decorating
Brand: Interior Decorating

all about

Interior Decorating

Learn how you can make an impact. Interior decorators affect our daily lives through colours, textiles, lighting, form, and function. You'll learn to interact with trades and other professionals to create the spaces where we live and work. This two-year (4-term) diploma program is recognized by the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA). You'll learn the practical skills and techniques to successfully manage interior decorating projects and work effectively in business environments in a variety of roles related to interior decorating.

When you graduate from the Interior Decorating program, you can expect many job opportunities. Look for careers as an interior decorator; colour, furniture, or lighting consultant; interior draft person; stylist; stager; or in the kitchen and bath industry. The skills you learn in this program open opportunities for advancement in many different areas.

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Program Delivery

Courses are offered both in-person and online. Please note that not all courses may be available each semester.

For assistance with program planning, consult with the Academic Advising Team.

Available intakes

Starts in

Registration opens in

Domestic

International

September 2026

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

January 2027

Transcripts due:

Domestic

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Open

Applications closes:

Application Opens:

Transcripts due within two weeks of application submission.

Transcripts due:

International

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Open

Starts in

Registration opens in

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

To register in an Open Studies course, find the course in the list below and click on the course code. Select the offering of the course that you would like to take, add it to the cart, proceed to checkout, and pay with a credit card.
‍Registration for all courses opens at 9:00 A.M. Calgary time.

March 9, 2026 for May 2026 course start dates

July 6, 2026 for September 2026 course start dates

Program availability and start dates are subject to change. Admission is based on first applied, first qualified.

Admission requirements

Credit in English 30-1, or 65% in English 30-2, or equivalent
60% in Math 10C or equivalent

Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test that consists of five tests with a minimum score in the following sections:

Interpreting Literature and Art: 520 minimum standard score
Writing Skills: 520 minimum standard score
Math Test: 450 minimum

Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admission and Placement Test

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English proficiency

If English is not your first language, please review the English language proficiency requirements.

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Academic upgrading

Missing a required admission criteria? Complete academic upgrading before applying.

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Transfer credit

Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. See where this program can transfer to.

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Provincial equivalencies

If you studied outside of Alberta, you can see which of your courses is equivalent to an admission requirement.

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International Students: Check whether your previous studies completed outside Canada meet the admission requirements using our country-specific document list found in step 2.

Additional Information

Students in this program will require their own laptop computer.

Laptop specifications:

• Intel quad core cpu (i7 or later)
• 16gb ram (32 gb recommended
• 13” 1080p screen (15” recommended)
• Dedicated graphics card nvidia or equivalent
• 512 gb solid state hard drive (1 tb recommened)
• Protable hard drive (for data backup)
• Windows 10 or later
• 64-bit
• USB port min 2
• 3 button scroll wheel mouse

Note: MAC OS is not supported

Tuition and fees

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$2,510

$605

$3,115

Term 2

$2,692

$564

$3,256

Term 3

$2,880

$564

$3,444

Term 4

$2,860

$605

$3,465

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

Term

Tuition fees

Additional fees

Total fees*

Term 1

$6,471

$605

$7,076

Term 2

$6,870

$564

$7,434

Term 3

$6,870

$564

$7,434

Term 4

$7,608

$605

$8,213

Estimated total tuition:

total cost

*All tuition and fees are subject to change. Program tuitions are estimates only. Your actual tuition and fees are calculated on actual course registrations and can be viewed under "Statement of Account" in MyBVC or by requesting a Statement of Account from Registrar Services.

Courses

Legend:

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Zero Textbook Cost

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Course is eligible for PLAR

Not all delivery modes are available for all courses or programs, and not all courses are available each term. Students should follow up on their individual program areas or their MyBVC for information for courses delivery types and availability.

‍Delivery modes, descriptions, and availability of courses each term are subject to change.

Term 1

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
COMM1101	Interpersonal Relationships And Communication Skills	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1101	Colour and Light in Decorating	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1103	Principles & Elements of Design	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1104	Space Planning and Drafting	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1201	Drawing and Sketching	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 2

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
CADD1101	AutoCAD I	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1102	History of Decorating Styles	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1106	Textiles & Furniture	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1401	Surfaces & Backgrounds	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1999	Interior Decorating Studio I	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 3

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
CADD2101	AutoCAD II	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC1105	Window Coverings	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2201	Presentations and Illustrations	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2997	Interior Decorating Studio II	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2502	Professional Problem Solving	3	picture_as_pdf

Term 4

Complete the following courses:

Code	Course	Credits	PDF
DESN2101	Universal Design: Spaces for All	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2102	Sustainable Interiors	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2501	The Business of Interior Decorating	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2701	Staging & Redesign	3	picture_as_pdf
IDEC2996	Interior Decorating Capstone Project	3	picture_as_pdf

Frequently asked questions

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Interior Decorating

Decorate a new home or office, or redecorate an existing one with style and confidence. Get the skills you need for an exciting career in interior decorating.