Industry and Careers

At the KPU Wilson School of Design, our Interior Design program grounds you in the realities of practice from day one. You'll work in a supportive environment that still challenges you, learning from faculty who bring current, hands-on knowledge of the field into every studio session. It's a demanding course of study, built to keep pace with a fast-moving industry — so what you learn here stays relevant to where interior design is headed, and where you can take it

Industry Collaboration

Vancouver's interior design scene spans boutique studios, major architecture and design firms, and everything in between — and our school has built strong relationships across it. You'll get out into the field through site visits and guest presentations from working designers, plus practicum placements and mentorship that put you in direct contact with working professionals. Many of our faculty are still active in the industry, so what you learn stays connected to how the field actually works day to day.

From Richmond, British Columbia to London, England:

Career Options

As a graduate of our Interior Design program, you'll be ready for careers across a wide range of sectors:

Retail design - creating spaces that shape how people shop and experience brands.
Hospitality design - designing hotels, restaurants, and spaces built around guest experience.
Exhibition and museum design - bringing storytelling and spatial design together for public spaces.
Film and television production design - building environments for the screen.
Commercial design - shaping offices, retail, and other business environments.
Corporate design - designing workplace environments for organizations.
Sustainable design - applying environmentally conscious practices across every project type.
Wholesale resource work - connecting designers with the materials and products that bring projects to life.

Many graduates go on to establish their own design firms, applying everything they've learned to build a thriving practice of their own.

Testimonials

"Kwantlen Interior Design grads have the discipline and refined thought process that make them terrific team members in our studio."
Jay Brooks, Principal - BOX Interior Design, Vancouver, BC

"Kwantlen grads continually demonstrate how very well KPU prepares them to practice interior design. Every year we have a student join the SSDG team for their internship, and we are always so impressed by the enthusiasm and professionalism that they bring to the table. It is fairly common for us to hire these students upon graduation. It's been a win / win!"
Susan Steeves, BID, RID, MBA LEED® - Retired Principal, SSDG, Vancouver, BC

"We have been hiring Kwantlen graduates for the last eight years and have been consistently impressed with the quality of their education, their attitude and the speed with which they grow in our firm. It's reassuring to know that year after year, Kwantlen produces designers that are well prepared for practice."
Carol Jones, RID, CFM, FIDC, FIIDA, FIBIBC, LEED AP - Principal, KASIAN Architecture Interior Design & Planning Ltd.

Program Outcomes

Graduate Numbers and Student Perspectives

The data shared below comes from the BC Student Outcomes reporting system, which is made available to KPU by the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. Combined with institutional records and program-level data, it reflects survey responses from former students who share feedback on their education, employment, and further studies after graduating. Response rates vary by year; the 2022-24 survey had a 38% response rate.

Current Graduate Numbers + Retention/Attrition

The Interior Design program offers small class sizes each academic year. Students complete about 16 credits per semester over four years, for a total of 124 credits (128 for the Honours track). Completion is measured from fall of first year to spring of fourth year. Here are the most recent graduate numbers by year:

Graduate Headcount by Academic Year*

2022/2023	2023/2024	2024/2025
14	13	23

*Graduates are approved by KPU Senate from May-Oct of each calendar year.

Graduation Rates

2025: 78% of graduates completed the program in 4 years.
2024: 71% of graduates completed the program in 4 years.
2023: 74% of graduates completed the program in 4 years.

Retention + Attrition Rates

2024 → 2025: 83% retention (17% attrition).
2023 → 2024: 85% retention (15% attrition).
2022 → 2023: 91% retention (9% attrition).

Employment Rates

This data comes from KPU's Office of Planning and Accountability Graduate Outcomes Report and reflects survey respondents only. Employment outcomes by graduate year:

2023: 100% employed, 100% in interior design or a related profession.
2022: 88% employed, 71% in interior design or a related profession.
2021: 100% employed, 100% in interior design or a related profession.

Most graduates surveyed found work within a month of graduating.

Salary Expectations Upon Graduation

Interior design continues to offer strong career prospects, especially during periods of economic growth that lead to increased construction activity. What you earn and how quickly you advance depends on your portfolio, experience, and ongoing professional development. Many graduates go on to start their own firms or move into senior leadership roles at established practices.

For more information on salary outlooks, check out the National Occupational Classification on the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada website (NOC - Interior Design) or WorkBC.

Annual Earnings

$65,175

Provincial Hourly Rate

High	$64.18/hr
Medium	$31.25/hr
Low	$20.00/hr

Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

# Workers Employed

4,660

% Employed Full Time

44%

Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It's usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

2,460

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Acceptance into Graduate Programs

Several graduates go on to Master's programs, most often in Architecture, Design, or Education. Our data puts this at approximately one student per year, though many graduates choose to work in the profession for several years before pursuing a Master's.

2025: 2 of 23 graduates applied to graduate school, with 2 accepted.
2024: 0 of 13 graduates applied to graduate school.
2023: 0 of 14 graduates applied to graduate school.

According to the BC Outcomes Survey (2022-24), 37% of KPU Bachelor of Interior Design graduates were accepted into further studies at any credential level, including BC Building Code, LEED, NCIDQ, and others.

Advisory Committee

Our Advisory Committee brings working interior designers directly into how this program is shaped. They help guide curriculum and keep our tools and technology current, so your training reflects what's actually happening in studios and on job sites today. It's part of why our graduates are known for stepping into the industry ready to contribute from day one.