AAS College Thessaloniki
School of Art & Design
ADVANCED DIPLOMA | SQA
Our philosophy is supported by an attitude of working “with” the building as opposed to working just “within” the building.
Advanced Diploma Interior Design
The Advanced Professional Diploma in Interior Design provides students with a comprehensive foundation and advanced understanding of contemporary interior design practice. The programme combines theory, creative exploration, technical knowledge, and studio-based learning, enabling students to develop both conceptual thinking and practical design skills relevant to professional interior design contexts.
The course provides an excellent opportunity to support the international growing creative industries and construction sector economy and to provide potential applicants with dynamic and vocational study opportunity.
By studying Interior Design at AAS College graduates will be with knowledge and understanding along with skill sets, attributes and behaviours that provide them the potential to be an effective contributor in the global community of Interior Design including event design, set design and consultancy practices. To achieve this the course embraces a distinctive focussed study upon human needs and desires in a consumerist society. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to build upon the understanding of the importance of being socially and culturally aware as a designer, becoming conscious of their potential influence and need to embrace ethically considered practices and apply considered personal as well as professional codes.
Upon completion of the programme, students will have developed:
A strong design portfolio demonstrating conceptual, technical, and visual skills
An understanding of professional interior design practice and workflows
The ability to translate ideas into well-resolved spatial solutions
Confidence in visual communication, materials selection, and design presentation
Graduates are well prepared for employment in interior design studios, architectural practices, or related creative industries, or for progression to further study in interior design and spatial disciplines.
Duration:
2 years
Educational form:
Taught
Education Variants:
Fulltime
Language:
English
February’s Intake:
Classes Start Date:
9th February 2026
October’s Intake:
Classes Start Date:
5th October 2026
British Degree:
SQA Advanced Professional Diploma in Interior Design
COURSE (Advanced Diploma Interior Design) STRUCTURE
Programme at a glance
SQA Advanced Diplomas are made up of 240 SCQF credit points, at SCQF level 8, and usually take two years to complete
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 1
- Design Theory I
- Visual Communication Skills in Interior Design I
- Design Thinking & Process
- Interior Design Studio I
- Architectural Technology and Material I
In the first year, students are introduced to the core principles of interior design, focusing on design thinking, visual communication, and material awareness. Through Design Theory I and Design Thinking & Process, students explore how ideas are generated, developed, and translated into meaningful spatial concepts. Emphasis is placed on understanding design methodology, creativity, and problem-solving within interior environments.
Studio-based learning in Interior Design Studio I allows students to apply theory into practice through structured design projects. Students develop essential skills in drawing, visual representation, and presentation through Visual Communication Skills in Interior Design I, while Architectural Technology and Materials I introduces the technical fundamentals of building systems, materials, and construction methods relevant to interior spaces.
By the end of Year 1, students will have developed a strong grounding in design principles, visual literacy, and an understanding of how interior spaces are conceived and communicated.
YEAR 2
- Design Theory II
- Interior Design Studio II
- Interior Design Studio III
- Visual Communication Skills in Interior Design II
- Architectural Technology and Materials II
In the second year, students build on their foundational knowledge and move towards more complex, professional-level design practice. Design Theory II deepens critical thinking and contextual awareness, encouraging students to engage with contemporary issues, trends, and conceptual approaches in interior design.
Studio work becomes more ambitious through Interior Design Studio II and III, where students undertake advanced design projects that integrate conceptual development, technical resolution, and professional presentation. These studios simulate real-world design challenges, fostering independence, creativity, and confidence.
Technical understanding is further enhanced through Architectural Technology and Materials II, enabling students to make informed decisions regarding materials, construction detailing, and sustainability. Visual Communication Skills in Interior Design II strengthens advanced drawing, digital representation, and presentation techniques, ensuring students can communicate ideas clearly and professionally.
Learning activities (Advanced Diploma Interior Design)
Virtually all teaching takes place in a modern studio environment. Students are encouraged to direct their studies and tailor their skills to marry their creative and professional ambitions using seminars, presentations, tutorials and continual critique feedback.
Employability
Many of the design skills that will acquire and develop are transferable and can lead graduates into a variety of employment fields. Career opportunities include working as an Interior Design consultant, in-house designer for a specialist retail shop-fitting contractor, Computer 3D visualizer, and corporate style consultant. In these jobs, graduate’s role could take on many guises including Consultancy Business Design Partner or Creative Design team leader. Graduate’s role may even provide diverse opportunities to work in film, TV or theatre designing everything from performance sets to overall style adviser.
DIPLOMA TO DEGREE - A Pathway to University and Further Study
SQA Advanced Qualifications do not just qualify for career development they can also enable advanced entry into many undergraduate degree programmes in universities and Higher Education Institutions across the world.
Learners can study in their own country before progressing onto universities in their own country, region or abroad to complete a degree, entering directly into third year. This option can be a cost effective route to studying abroad and achieving a degree at an international Higher Education Institution.
We make this journey as smooth as possible through our Diploma to Degree programme. SQA has collaborated and set up articulation agreements with a number of highly regarded international institutions in countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand covering various progression models including online delivery.
These institutions recognise the SQA Advanced Diploma for advanced entry and provide students with a quality learning experience.
HOW TO APPLY
You should apply direct to the AAS College. We accept applications throughout the year, but advise you to apply early. We would like to receive application forms before 30th of August.
All candidates are required to submit the following documents:
1. A Fully Completed Application
AAS Application Form completed
A scanned copy of your passport
2. English language certificate
Certified Photocopy of English Language qualification(s).
Undergraduate applicants must have a fluent command of the English language which can be proven via the following examinations:
TOEFL: paper based 550 / computer based 213 / Internet based 79-80 or
IELTS: 6,0 or other equivalent qualifications.
Candidates who have not acquired an English language qualification at the time of the submission of their application form are required to submit it at least one month before the commencement of the course.
3. Diploma of previous education
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or six IB Subject Certificates, or A Levels obtained locally.
Certified Photocopy of the Diploma of Secondary Education (High School Diploma), along with the final year’s academic transcript.
Candidates who have not yet graduated from high school at the time of application, should submit the available academic transcripts from their current year of study, as well as a full transcript from the previous year of study.
If the High School Diploma is produced in another language it should be translated and verified in English.
4. Interview
Submit your documents via email to: admissions@aas.gr
Our response:
A member of our staff will contact you in 48 hours.
AAS offer to you
Deciding to start study is an exciting time but the process to actually get there can seem daunting. That’s where we can help. Here’s what you need to be finding out about now.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be sending you lots of important information, so if any of your contact details change, we need to know as soon as possible. Please let us know if you change your:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Passport number.
At AAS we pride ourselves on the tailored support we offer to all our students and we want your application and enrolment to go as smoothly as possible. If you have any problems at all, we are here to help.
You will receive an unconditional offer: An Admission Letter by college’s Admissions Office, or a conditional offer: that means that before the commencing of your course you have to submit some documents, or a rejection letter: that means that you don’t cover the requirements of the interested course.
Visa Process
The following documents to be submitted by all non-EU students to the Greek Embassy or Consulate Office closer to you:
- Application form for a visa for a long stay in Greece, fully filled in and signed by the applicant
- One recent passport-size photograph in colour
- Passport that should be of a validity exceeding by three months the ending date of the visa length, include at least two blank pages and have been issued within the previous ten years
- Police Clearance Certificate (Criminal record)
- Medical Certificate
- Travel insurance
- Admission letter by AAS
- A confirmation document by AAS that you are a college’s student
- Document by the Ministry of Education that the AAS College holds a valid license and is registered in the relevant records
- English language Certificate
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses and AAS tuition fees in Greece
- Visa fee
You should also have in mind the following:
- Original documents and passports submitted must be accompanied along with a copy.
- All documents submitted must be in English or Greek
- You may be asked for additional documents and will be called to a personal interview at the Embassy or Consulate Office (the requirements of Greek Embassies or Consulate Offices aren’t the same from country to country)
- The visa fee is not refunded if the visa is refused